NFL Preseason Week 1 Preview: Schedule, storylines and matchups to watch
Mason Cameron, PFF
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-2.5) @ BALTIMORE RAVENS
Storyline of the Game: Franchise running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry debut in their new homes
After many seasons as the cornerstones of their respective offenses, both Barkley and Henry find themselves touting the rock for new franchises. Running behind the Eagles’ and Ravens’ offensive lines will be a welcome change, as Henry and Barkley both ranked in the bottom 18 in yards before contact per attempt last season. Henry is reportedly not playing this preseason, but his presence in new colors is exciting nonetheless.
Matchups to Watch: Ravens C Ben Cleveland vs. Eagles DI Jalen Carter
The Ravens held Tyler Linderbaum (soft tissue) out of practice this week without much elaboration on his injury, but it’s not expected to be a long-term issue. That leaves Baltimore to test a variety of options as a replacement, including Patrick Mekari, Andrew Vorhees and Cleveland.
Regardless of who starts, they’ll have their hands full with PFF’s highest-graded rookie defender last season, Jalen Carter. The Eagles’ 2023 top-10 pick is drawing rave reviews out of camp, which bodes well for his chances to build on his 89.8 PFF grade last season.
Expect John Harbaugh, Ravens to stick to plan of resting key starters in preseason
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
Ravens coach John Harbaugh confirmed following Wednesday’s workout that Jackson won’t play against the Eagles. He didn’t make any declarations about Baltimore’s final two preseason games, but the expectation remains that Jackson won’t take his first snap in a game until the Sept. 5 regular-season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Asked specifically about using Jackson after he hadn’t played in three of the past four preseasons, Harbaugh said, “That will be the same.”
The last time Jackson played in the preseason was the exhibition finale in 2021 against Washington. Starting running back J.K. Dobbins tore up his knee in the game and Harbaugh has been far less willing to play his starters, and even some of his top reserves, in the preseason ever since.
All indications are that he will stick with that plan this preseason, and many of his most accomplished starters, like Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, middle linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton, will be held out until the Kansas City game in Week 1.
Harbaugh said veteran Josh Johnson, Jackson’s top backup, will play against the Eagles. The expectation is that he’ll start. The Ravens will also want to take a look at rookie sixth-round quarterback Devin Leary and rookie free agent Emory Jones.
Ravens training camp battle tracker: Can Andrew Vorhees secure LG job in preseason opener?
Shaffer & Han, The Baltimore Banner
Starting left guard
The contenders: Andrew Vorhees, a seventh-round pick last year, missed his rookie season while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered at the NFL scouting combine. Sala Aumavae-Laulu, a sixth-round pick last year, didn’t appear in any games as a rookie. Josh Jones, who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in March, has played just 63 snaps at left guard over four NFL seasons.
Aug. 1: Vorhees appears to be the heavy favorite to win the job. After practice, coach John Harbaugh said he’s “steadily improving” and pointed to the “numerous … very good plays” he’d made — along with the sack he gave up to Jones.
Aug. 3: At this point, it’s unclear who is Vorhees’ closest competition for the starting job.
Aug. 5: The Ravens struggled to get much push inside for their running game. After practice, Harbaugh said Tyler Linderbaum’s injury could lead to more snaps at center for Vorhees, but he remains the prohibitive favorite at left guard.
Aug. 6: Jackson felt the pressure from the pass rush a few times, but he didn’t take any sacks. Vorhees continued to dominate the starting reps.
Aug. 7: The Ravens didn’t practice in full pads, but their pass protection generally held up well. Vorhees can wrap up the starting job with a strong preseason performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ravens ‘professor’ Nelson Agholor provides valuable veteran presence in receiver room
Timothy Dashiell, The Baltimore Sun
Now in his second year with Baltimore, the 30-year-old has once again embraced the role as the “old guy” in the wide receiver room. As the most tenured pass catcher on the roster, he embraces the opportunity to lead his younger teammates on and off the field as they work toward reaching the franchise’s first Super Bowl since the 2012 season.
“Being able to share my experiences from my career and also learn from the younger guys at the same time, it’s a beautiful thing,” Agholor said.
“The most important thing you have to do is practice,” Agholor said. “Watch the film and be self confident, but also be self critical and grow. The best ability is availability, so take care of your body so you can practice and get better.”
Early in camp, Agholor’s impact on the young guys has bled into the offensive meeting rooms.
“His nickname is ‘The professor’ [in the meeting room],” wide receiver Tylan Wallace said. “He details all the routes and maps it out. Just listening to him, you can immediately tell he knows a ton of football.”
“He’s the definition of a true professional, that’s why he’s been around for so long,” Wallace said of Agholor. “Watching the way he carries himself on and off the field has helped me out so much as a player.”
Ranking 2024 AFC contenders by tiers: Chiefs in a class of their own with three teams on their heels
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports
Tier 2: Real-deal contenders (3)
Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans
Yes, the Baltimore Ravens lost some pieces off of the NFL’s best defense. The 2023 iteration of the Ravens became the first team in NFL history to lead or co-lead the NFL in scoring defense (16.5), sacks (60) and takeaways (31, tied with the New York Giants). Losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, now the Seattle Seahawks coach, hurts. Many of their defensive core pieces are intact: Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, two-time First Team All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey and 2023 All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton