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PLEASE do not watch this preseason game trying to discern whether the Eagles “fixed” what was wrong last year. Nothing you see in this game, will indicate that. Especially since Head Coach Nick Sirianni doesn’t like to play starters much in the preseason.

What you should be looking for, is how different ‘Motion’ will make the Offense look. What you should be looking for, is how each of our MLB’s performs. What you should be looking for, is Big Dom.

A win or a loss is meaningless this week. What matters, is how hard guys play. What matters, is if they’re upset with mistakes. At this point in the year, passion should hang in the air so heavy, that you could scoop it by the handful. How bad do we want it, at the outset?

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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win the game. Except in preseason. These games are just tune-ups. So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on tuning up, this week versus the Ravens:

1) Running the Ball Inside: Teams already disrespect QB Jalen Hurts, by throwing the sort of blitzes at him, that only rookies usually see. To relieve pressure on him, we have to be able to run. With the retirement of C Jason Kelce, we need to immediately establish that opponents must respect C Cam Jurgens.

What that means, is a few early runs between the C and one of the G’s. Real runs, not the Brotherly Shove. Hell, we shouldn’t even attempt one of those this week. It’d be nice to see rookie RB Kendall Milton get a couple of early totes, against better players.

2) Stopping the Run: As last season ended, it seemed like our Defensive Line had worn down, as they kept losing ground at the point of attack. They didn’t even occupy blocks to free up our LB’s, and allow them to flow to the play. It became hard to watch. With the retirement of DT Fletcher Cox, guys like DT Jordan Davis must show improvement.

In this regard, Baltimore is probably the stiffest test the NFL can throw at us. They are the absolute best test we hope for. Given that we see them again in Week 13, it would also be a huge confidence boost, if we can contain, or even stop their run game.

3) Dynamic Slot Play: Adding a good Slot WR to this Offense, would make it corrosive to even the best defenses. This is where another WR needs to step-up, as a complement to WR A.J. Brown and WR Devonta Smith. A good Slot will also loosen the box for our run game.

I think WR Britain Covey is already a lock at WR5 as a KR/PR. So between the DJax-like speed of WR John Ross, and the 6’6” frame of WR Johnny Wilson, those are the two candidates that I hope become our WR’s 3 and 4. In the event of an injury, WR Austin Watkins needs a long look here.

4) Contested Routes: It’s not enough for our Secondary to make tackles after completions. It’s not enough to contest a completion, late in the receiver’s route. We need for our Defensive Backs to be running with their receiver for most of, if not the entire route.

Playing off-coverage, and letting receivers quickly get to their spots, lets the opposing QB get the ball out of his hand, fast. This retards the pass rush, and then everyone blames the Defensive Line for not getting sacks. We need to make QB’s search for openings, and in the process, hold that ball longer.

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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then they will be sowing seeds for massive success this season. We need to see indications on the field, that they have turned the page from whatever ailed them at the end of last season. These Four Things would make that case beyond the shadow of a doubt!

On a personal note, I’m sure well see some WR Screens, but I don’t want to see one on 4^th and 12 again! I will absolutely lose my shit, if that happens. Regardless of if we convert or not. I’m looking forward to seeing this new look Offense; but with us moving to basically a 3-4 Defense, I’m a little less enthused about this side of the ball.

But we’ll see.

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Prediction: EAGLES 13 – Ravens 27

Why: Road game and the Eagles will be playing to evaluate, not really to win.

WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know football and that’s IT. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.

Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.