Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens begin their 2026 preseason under very different circumstances on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore enters a new era under head coach Jesse Minter — navigating his first NFL preseason alongside offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who has never called plays at this level.
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley is expected to get the start with his veteran presence helping Baltimore's coaching staff assess the rest of the offense against a potentially scary Eagles defense.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is installing a new offensive scheme under first-time OC Sean Mannion and could give extended reps to its receivers and offensive line.
Don't expect QB Jalen Hurts or RB Saquon Barkley to be risked, while DeVonta Smith is injured. However, his fellow wideouts Donatyvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown should see plenty of action.
These teams' regular season all-time record is tied at three wins apiece but the Ravens have had the better of their preseason clashes, winning nine of the 15.
Eagles vs. Ravens Betting Picks & Predictions
Eagles -3.5 (-120)
Minter will do well to maintain the Ravens' remarkable preseason record under his long-serving predecessor.
Baltimore dominated August football under John Harbaugh — reeling off an absurd 24 straight preseason wins from 2016 to 2023.
They went 48‑16 in preseason games during his time at the helm and treated this time of year like a competitive proving ground.
Harbaugh's departure fundamentally changes the landscape with Minter lacking both head coaching experience and leading a relatively inexperienced staff.
History suggests first‑year coaches often stumble early and this matchup against a Super Bowl champion head coach and a tough Eagles defense could be part of his steep learning curve.
The Ravens' rebuilt offensive line and a tight end group missing Mark Andrews could see Baltimore's offense stall in the early going against some of Philadelphia's starters.
The Eagles won't play Hurts or Barkley, but their receivers and offensive line are expected to log meaningful snaps as they adjust to the new scheme. That continuity — even with backup quarterbacks — gives them a slight edge.
Andy Dalton is set to start for the visitors, with Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton rotating in.
Dalton has been marginally ahead in the QB2 battle and offers enough stability to move the ball against Baltimore's second‑unit defense.
With the Ravens relying heavily on rookies and undrafted linemen — Emery Jones, Carson Vinson and Corey Bullock have zero NFL starts combined — the Eagles' pass rush should create pressure and tilt the matchup in their favour.
Under 36.5 points (‑110)
Both teams enter with new offensive coordinators, new offensive line coaches and unsettled depth charts. That usually spells disjointed drives, stalled possessions and conservative play‑calling.
Baltimore's offense looks particularly vulnerable with Andrews out and the line featuring multiple inexperienced players.
Protection issues could arise and Dalton is not known for his scrambling ability.
Rookie RB Adam Randall will get work, but his transition from wide receiver means pass protection remains a question mark.
However, Philadelphia's offense has something to prove after an underwhelming 2025 when they were ranked 24th overall.
Aside from in the red zone, when they relied heavily on Hurts, they lacked efficiency or much explosion either on the ground or through the air.
Their wide receiver corps lost some depth in the offseason, and the backup QB trio of Dalton‑McKee‑Payton doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence.
Expect Tank Bigsby to start in the backfield, but the Eagles will be cautious with their veteran rushers.
The Ravens added pass‑rush help in free agency and the draft, and their defensive front should win early downs. Combined with two conservative coaching staffs, the under looks the stronger play.
Outcome of 1st Ravens Drive – Punt (-105)
There has been real buzz about the Eagles' defence around training camp all summer, and this is their first chance to show it is not purely hype.
From the revamped front seven to a secondary that looks sharper and more connected, the unit has consistently set the tone. But when the lights come on Saturday, it's the front seven that will dictate everything.
Expect Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. to headline the defensive effort.
Each has flashed throughout camp and this matchup gives them a perfect stage to turn those flashes into full‑blown preseason dominance.
The Eagles' defense looks likely to dominate the Ravens' offense from the get-go and, unless they force a turnover, that could leave Baltimore with no option but to punt.
Minter admits he comes from a conservative coaching background and will not want to get too funky on his NFL debut if his team face an early fourth down outside field-goal range.
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Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens Odds
PHI Eagles | -204 |
BAL Ravens | +155 |
Spread | PHI Eagles -3.5 |
Total | O/U 36.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
