NFL Week 6 picks: Ravens vs. Eagles odds and predictions

It’s hard to imagine the Philadelphia Eagles are still in the hunt for the NFC East, with a 1-3-1 record. 

The Dallas Cowboys lead the division with two wins, but the Eagles are right on their heels — with just the one win, back in Week 4. 

After a tough loss to Chase Claypool and the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, things won’t get any easier for Carson Wentz and the Eagles, as they will host the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 6 Sunday showdown. 

The Ravens enter Sunday’s game off two straight wins, in a fight with the Steelers and Cleveland Browns for the AFC North lead, and as a sizable road favorite. 

Ravens defense looks to continue momentum

The Baltimore Ravens have been dominant this season, with the exception of a 14-point home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Ravens also haven’t had too many difficult matchups. They faced Cleveland in Week 1, Houston the next week, Washington in Week 4, and Cincinnati last week. 

That opposition won’t intimidate too many teams, but you can only play the teams on the schedule, and the Ravens have taken care of business, especially the last two weeks. 

They have allowed 20 points combined over their last two games and their defense is now among the best when it comes to stopping the run — seventh in rushing yards allowed (460), tied for fourth in yards allowed per carry (3.7), and in the top 10 for rushing touchdowns allowed. 

Their pass defense has given up yardage — when you jump out to big leads, opposing offenses have no choice but to air it out — but has allowed only six touchdowns. The Ravens have been able to get to the quarterback, as well, with the fifth most sacks (16) in the league.   

Wentz, Ertz aren't clicking like they used to

There was a time, not long ago, when the quarterback-tight end combination of Carson Wentz and Zach Ertz would dominate opposing defenses.

Ertz is a huge target at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. At his best, he was one of the most productive tight ends in football and a huge threat for the Eagles offense. 

This year, however, the combination isn’t clicking.

Ertz is in his eighth pro season, at the age of 29, and has 20 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown in five games. He is averaging just 20 yards receiving per game, down from the 61 yards per game last season. Ertz has only had the one big game, when he brought in seven catches for 70 yards against Cincinnati in Week 3. This has led to trade rumors swirling around Ertz.

The Eagles receiving game is led by little-known, second-year wide receiver Travis Fulgham, who had 152 yards receiving and a touchdown on 10 catches last weekend against Pittsburgh, and fellow sophomore wide receiver Greg Ward. 

Betting Trends

The Eagles have a poor record, but they’ve managed to be worse against the spread. Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS, while home underdogs are 11-13 ATS, according to Covers.com. 

The Ravens are 3-2 ATS. Road favorites have had the advantage, which could bode well for Baltimore, against an Eagles team that has not found its footing. 

The Ravens have had no issues scoring points, with at least 30 in four of five games, but their opposition has, for the most part, struggled to score. The Over is 1-4 in Ravens games, and 3-2 in Eagles games. 

Injury Report

There was good news for the Eagles this week, as defensive tackle Fletcher Cox was a full participant in Thursday’s practice, after he dealt with a personal matter earlier in the week. If he is active Sunday, that would be a big boost to the Eagles defensive line.

Philly cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) and receivers DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery (foot) have been limited in practice. 

For the Ravens, veteran running back Mark Ingram did not participate in Thursday’s practice, for non-injury related reasons, while veteran cornerback Marcus Peters (thigh) was a limited participant. 

Score prediction: Ravens 30, Eagles 20

Picks: Ravens -8.5, Over 47.5

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