The Ravens opened their 2026 preseason with a 24-7 win over the Eagles on Saturday night, but the score was never the point. This was about who flashed, who faltered, and who helped themselves in the first real game action at M&T Bank Stadium.
A few rookies made the kind of early impression teams notice. Tight end Matthew Hibner helped quiet some of the chatter around a thin-looking tight end room with a downfield grab on the opening drive, then followed it up with two more catch-and-run plays on back-to-back series.
Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane kept rolling after a strong camp, hauling in his third catch for a touchdown and looking like someone who could have a meaningful role once the season starts. And in the secondary, Keyon Martin was everywhere - drawing a holding penalty early, flying over to stop a WR run, then adding a tackle for loss and a sack later on to help slam the door on a drive.
The quarterback picture also gave Baltimore something to like. Tyler Huntley was steady in the way Ravens fans have come to expect from one of the league’s better backups, but Joe Fagnano stole some of the spotlight.
The undrafted rookie looked composed and in control, moving the offense and getting the ball to his playmakers. The only blemish was an interception in the end zone, but even with that, he looked like a welcome surprise after the Ravens’ recent preseason experience with Devin Leary.
On the other side of the ball, Adisa Isaac turned in a moment that won’t show up in the official count but still mattered. With his lengthy absences hanging over him, he needed something positive on film, and he delivered a strong instinctive play while chasing down a ball for what would have been a pick-six.
The biggest takeaway may have been the defense as a whole. Jesse Minter’s new unit, with Anthony Weaver also part of the mix, was downright suffocating.
Philadelphia’s only points came with 2:14 left in the game, and the Eagles never found much rhythm against Baltimore’s coverage and pass rush. They finished with just 159 yards on 40 plays, averaged 4.0 yards per snap, managed only six first downs, and went 0-for-9 on third down.
The Ravens made life miserable for the Eagles all night and gave plenty of reason for fans to get excited about what this defense might look like when the games count.
Not everything was clean, though. Second-year kicker Tyler Loop missed a 49-yard field goal to open the preseason, a miss that only adds to the pressure after his missed kick that cost the Ravens a postseason trip.
He did bounce back later with a make from 42 yards, but the spotlight isn’t going anywhere. On the line, Emery Jones Jr. had a rough start in pass protection, getting beaten multiple times early, including on a Ty Robinson win that led to a Huntley sack.
He worked at both guard spots, not tackle, where Baltimore still needs depth.
There was also a mixed bag for Elijah Sarratt. The fourth-round receiver was productive for most of the night, catching six of seven targets for 66 yards.
But he also coughed up a fumble after failing to secure the ball while trying to add extra yards. He handled his return work fine, yet turnovers are the sort of mistake that can quickly change how a rookie is viewed.
Punter Ryan Eckley had his own swingy night. His first punt went just 27 yards and out of bounds at the Eagles’ 31, but he settled in on the next one with solid hang time and a fair catch at the Eagles’ 10.
He also handled holding duties while Loop went 4-for-5 on kicks overall. Baltimore will still want more consistency from Jordan Stout’s successor.
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Jesse Minter took over as head coach and defensive play-caller for the Ravens in their preseason opener, and Baltimore opened with a 24-7 win over the Eagles that offered plenty to like. The rookies helped make the night feel promising, with wideouts JaKobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt and tight end Matthew Hibner all flashing in the kind of early audition that can matter in August. On top of that, the defense looked organized and active, holding Philadelphia in check and giving the Ravens a sturdy first showing under Minters lead.
Even with the lopsided score, the kicking operation left a little to chew on afterward. Baltimore had misses in the field-goal game and a punt that went badly enough to stand out in a game otherwise defined by control and energy. For a team trying to use the preseason to sort out the back end of the roster, special teams is one of the few areas that can still swing opinions quickly, and the Ravens will have to keep an eye on how that competition settles as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
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The Ravens opened the preseason with a 24-7 win over the Eagles, and the first impression was a good one. Baltimores defense set the tone early, the rookies made their presence felt, and several players on the roster bubble gave the coaching staff something to think about as the team starts sorting out its depth chart.
Still, the night also offered a reminder that preseason games are as much about questions as answers. The pass rush did not consistently finish the way Baltimore would like, and the kicking game remains an area to watch as the team moves deeper into August, making the rest of camp important for players trying to turn a solid opener into a lasting job. [Read more 🡒]
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The Ravens open preseason against the Eagles with a chance to learn a lot about the young players who have flashed in camp, and that makes this first game feel a little more meaningful than the usual August warmup. Several rookies are expected to see real snaps, giving the staff an early look at how they handle live action after spending the last few weeks turning heads in practice.
Among the names worth watching are Ja'Kobi Lane, Vega Ioane, Zion Young and Adam Randall, all of whom have made a case for more attention with the way they have looked in training camp. The opener should help sort out which of those promising performances can carry over when the speed picks up, even if the full picture at a few spots will still take a little longer to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]