Eagles vs. Ravens prediction: NFL preseason pick, odds for Fri. 8/9

The Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens face off tonight as football makes its return. It's preseason football, but football nonetheless! Two annual contenders will face off, although only one of these teams has a head coach who's one of the best preseason coaches in NFL history. Kickoff Friday night at M&T Bank Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

While blocking off Sundays, betting your team to win the Super Bowl or convincing your best friend to push back that wedding from October to March may all seem like tall tasks, the actual teams we cheer for have a bigger task at hand. They need to get their depth charts finalized and get ready for their season. Preseason football gives coaches the chance to do just that. It also gives us as fans the opportunity to fine-tune our NFL betting acumen.

Eagles vs. Ravens Prediction

My best bet

Eagles First Half Moneyline (-115 at Caesars)

Eagles vs. Ravens Odds

Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET, NFL+

Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here.

Dylan Wilkerson Analyzes the Eagles vs Ravens Spread

Eagles Have a Point To Prove

Head coach Nick Sirianni has been under scrutiny since the Eagles’ collapse last season after a 10-1 start. Although John Harbaugh has a better record in the preseason, Sirianni has more to prove. Preseason is always hard to judge, but you can calibrate your unit in the preseason.

Last year, Jalen Hurts didn't see the field in the preseason, leaving Tanner McKee and Marcus Mariota to receive most of the snaps followed by Ian Book. This year, I expect McKee to continue to see plenty of action while second-string quarterback Kenny Pickett also features heavily.

The two teams played last preseason when Josh Johnson and McKee led their teams in pass attempts. McKee went 10-of-20 for 148 yards, while Johnson was 8-of-12 for 45 yards in a 20-19 Ravens win.

Ravens Led By Preseason Legend Harbaugh

Harbaugh has stated that the Ravens’ starters will not play in the preseason until the later weeks including reigning MVP, Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry will also not participate in the Ravens’ preseason games. It shouldn't come as a surprise though, since Henry has not played in the preseason since 2018.

Harbaugh is known for his success in the preseason with a lifetime record of 44-14, and a 40-18 mark against the spread. With  Nick Sirianni’s preseason record being 1-6-2, so it's clear which coach has the edge here.

The Ravens had an incredible streak of 24 straight preseason wins that was ended last year in Week 2 by the Commanders on a game-winning Joey Slye field goal as time expired. Baltimore then lost the next week, as well, to the Buccaneers.

Baltimore's quarterback situation looks pretty easy to read. Lamar Jackson will not play, so the veteran Johnson will start.