Ravens at Eagles
Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, August 22nd at 7:30 pm ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Betting Odds: BAL -4.5 via Oddsshark
Network: WBAL, WCAU
Baltimore Ravens
Mark Ingram vs Justice Hill
Ingram is set to be the day one starter. Hands down. No question. That doesn’t mean that he will stay there all year though. Justice Hill has looked very good so far this preseason, averaging 4.1 yards YPC on 20 carries through the first two preseason games and I expect that he will have a role beginning week 1. Just how much of a role is unclear but it should get clearer in this game. Teams usually use the third week as the most meaningful game, and it is common for starters to play into the second half. How Ingram and Hill split carries should give a good idea of how the team plans to approach the split in the regular season. Of course, if either were to go down, the other would likely be a weekly RB1 for fantasy purposes due to the team’s reliance on the run. Watch closely to see how each is used this week.
Lamar Jackson Hype: Buying or Selling?
Lamar Jackson has been a common fantasy pick so far this offseason and I would even say his ADP has gone too far. He has gone from being a worthwhile backup QB pick to someone who I think many will rely on as their starter. I’m not saying he won’t have a good year but I think there are still a lot of questions about his passing ability, questions that will hopefully be answered in this game. We all know he can run the ball and head coach John Harbaugh predicting that Jackson could have more than 139 carries earlier this year had a lot of fantasy owners salivating. If he can improve his passing and keep defenses guessing it could make his runs even more effective. We will see how he does this week with two or three-quarters of work.
Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders vs Jordan Howard
This position battle has seemingly been pretty even with multiple reports supporting each player’s chances to get the bulk of the carries. Either way, both with have a role in this offense and just like their opponent this week, they will use this game to see how each does with multiple chances against a starting defense over multiple quarters. Miles Sanders does have one more carry than Howard this preseason and is averaging 4.3 YPC to Howard’s 3.3. I expect that Sanders will earn more carries than Howard as the season goes on but I expect both to be heavily involved as will Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, and 76-year old Darren Sproles. Tune in to see how each is used in this one.
So many mouths to feed
There are going to be a lot of people involved in what looks to be a high powered offense this year. I just mentioned 5 running backs that I believe will see work but there are also wide receivers Alshon Jeffrey, Nelson Agholor, and returning vet DeSean Jackson, as well as tight ends Zach Ertz (coming off of a record-setting year) and Dallas Goedert who some believe, may push Ertz as the team’s top TE. I don’t buy that for a second but if people are even mentioning that he could be on Ertz’ level, he must be doing something right. Carson Wentz will have a lot of options and it will be interesting to see who he may favor. Wentz is unlikely to play in this one but should still get an idea of how much we can expect to see each position player with the starting offense.
-Dave Lathrop (@DaveLathropQBL)