Recapping Preseason Game 1 vs. Philadelphia

The Good, Bad & Ugly From the Ravens 24-7 Pasting of the Eagles

In a battle of birds with almost no stars on the field, Baltimore defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-7, in Saturday’s preseason opener, with a late Eagles touchdown the only thing standing between the Ravens and their first preseason shutout since 2019. With Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts among the starters who sat on both sides, Tyler Huntley led Baltimore’s first two series and went 6-for-7 for 76 yards, before undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano took over and ran the show most of the night. The domination was total: the Ravens outgained the Eagles 440-159 and won the first-down battle 31-6, while holding the ball for over 41 minutes. It was also the first win of the Jesse Minter era, as the rookie receivers helped Minter win his preseason head coaching debut.

Scoring:

• 2nd Qtr: Fagnano hit rookie WR Ja’Kobi Lane for a 16-yard TD (Tyler Loop PAT) — 7-0 BAL
• 3rd Qtr: Loop 42-yard field goal — 10-0 BAL
• 4th Qtr: Adam Randall 4-yard TD run (Loop PAT) — 17-0 BAL
• 4th Qtr: QB Austin Reed 14-yard TD scramble (Loop PAT) — 24-0 BAL
• 4th Qtr: Eagles rookie QB Cole Payton to Erik Ezukanma, 6-yard TD (PAT) — 24-7 final

Minter kept it simple afterward: “Overall, [a] really tough, disciplined performance from our guys, which we can build on.”

The Good

The rookie class stole the show. Lane, the third-round pick from USC, finished with three receptions for 38 yards plus the touchdown, adding to the buzz built during a standout camp, while fourth-rounders Matt Hibner (TE, SMU) and Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana) combined for 11 receptions and 127 yards. Lane kept things grounded afterward: “It’s super fun to be a part of a hype train,” Lane said, while noting it can all come undone with one dropped ball. Hibner, who ripped off a 29-yard wheel-route gain early, said of the moment: “I kind of blacked out.”

TOUCHDOWN @cantGuardJak1!!!!!

Tune in on @wbaltv11. pic.twitter.com/OcUOBGsDkv

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 15, 2026

Fagnano may have locked up the QB3 job (if there is one), completing 22 of 28 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. On defense, the Ravens forced four straight three-and-outs to open the game and allowed 81 yards and no points in the first half (seven three-and-outs total). Discipline stood out too — just three penalties for a team installing new schemes, while the Eagles committed 10. And fifth-round RB Adam Randall (12 carries, 46 yards, TD) ran with authority and broke several tackles, while first-round pick Vega Ioane looked strong at guard.

Minter summed up the youth movement: “Great to see a ton of young players get an opportunity.”

“It felt good. [I’m] just finding work where [I] can. That’s just the physicality of football that I like, and that’s what I’m going to look to do every play.” 

The Bad

The kicking game. Tyler Loop, whose missed field goal at Pittsburgh ended the Ravens’ 2025 season, missed from 49 yards in the first quarter before connecting from 42 in the third. The miss was very reminiscent of that in Pittsburgh back in January. Loop is going to have to fight through that mentally. Also, rookie punter Ryan Eckley’s first NFL punt traveled only 27 yards and went out of bounds. It reminded me of a few tee shots I’d love to have back.

There were also two turnovers: Fagnano threw an ill-advised pass across his body for an end-zone interception with 34 seconds left in the half, spoiling a near-perfect two-minute drill, and Sarratt’s night ended with a fumble when he got too loose with the ball weaving through traffic.

The Ugly

The injury news. Second-year linebacker Jay Higgins IV left the game with a concussion in the first half, and he’ll have to clear protocol while competing for a reserve linebacker and special teams role. In a game this lopsided, losing a young player fighting for a roster spot was the night’s low point.

Players of the Game

Offense: QB Joe Fagnano. The undrafted rookie from UConn was surgical — 22-of-28, 223 yards, and the TD to Lane. Honorable mentions to Lane and Hibner (team-high 5 catches, 61 yards).

Defense: CB Keyon Martin. With no sacks or picks to headline the box score, the near-shutout was a collective effort, but Martin stood out fighting for a reserve corner/special teams job — Minter singled him out afterward as a player with a chip on his shoulder and a knack for making plays.

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