PHILADELPHIA — Looking to improve to 2-0 for the first time since the 2009 season, the Ravens travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles Sunday for the first time since 2008.
Much discussion this week has centered around the Ravens’ performances in Week 2 the last two seasons following a big season-opening win, and coach John Harbaugh addressed the issue with his team at the start of the week. Last season, the Ravens suffered a letdown against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2 following a huge 35-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to begin the season.
Sunday marks the fourth all-time meeting in the regular season between the Ravens and Eagles with the series being tied, 1-1-1. The only tie in the 17-year history of the Ravens took place against Philadelphia at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 16, 1997.
The Ravens are 17-15 on the road during the Harbaugh era and have have won six of their last seven games against NFC opponents.
Linebacker Paul Kruger (back) is inactive and will be replaced at strongside linebacker by rookie Courtney Upshaw. The fourth-year linebacker practiced on a limited basis Friday and hoped his back would continue to loosen up enough over the weekend to allow him to play.
Defensive end Pernell McPhee is active and will play after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was out on the field testing out the knee before being deemed ready to go.
Linebacker Sergio Kindle is active with Kruger being sidelined. The 2010 second-round pick was inactive for the Ravens’ season opener last Monday.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have activated wide receivers DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Jeremy Maclin (hip) after both practiced on a limited basis Friday. Both players were listed as questionable on the final injury report.
After an outstanding performance in Week 1, quarterback Joe Flacco hopes to continue that success against a tough Philadelphia defense. However, news broke Sunday morning that talks between the Ravens and Flacco’s agent have ended regarding a contract extension. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the two sides were close to a new contract in early August, but talks have been shelved since then. Flacco has never expressed concern about his future in Baltimore while the Ravens have the option of using the franchise tag on the fifth-year quarterback if they’re unable to work out a new contract this offseason.
The Eagles are wearing white jerseys and green pants while the Ravens are decked out in purple jerseys with white pants.
Here are Sunday’s inactives:
BALTIMORE
LB Paul Kruger
OL Jah Reid
WR LaQuan Williams
CB Asa Jackson
TE Billy Bajema
DE DeAngelo Tyson
DT Bryan Hall
PHILADELPHIA
WR Riley Cooper
QB Trent EdwardS
OT Dennis Kelly
CB Curtis Marsh
RB Dion Lewis
DE Vinny Curry
OL Nate Menkin
Follow WNST on Twitter for the latest updates and analysis as Nestor Aparicio, Drew Forrester, and I are live at Lincoln Financial Field.
