For the 3rd week in a row, we can say the Eagles face their toughest test yet. Beating the Commanders and the Rams, and doing so pretty dominantly, was impressive. But now they head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens, in a game that will really show just how far this young defense has come.

Related: 6 Numbers That Tell The Story of Eagles Crushing The Rams

The Eagles’ defense might be the most surprising unit in the entire league this year. They were terrible last year. They spent all offseason remaking it, including drafting cornerbacks in the 1st and 2nd rounds. it has worked. It seems like every move they made worked, outside of Bryce Huff. Zack Baun in particular has helped turn what was the worst linebacker unit in the league last year, into arguably one of the best ones.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

But now they have to face the Ravens, who are near the top of the league in nearly every category. 2nd in points per game, 1st in total yards, 3rd in passing yards, 2nd in rushing yards. They have only been held under 20 points once this season. The only offense that has been more explosive than them is the Lions.

So is this young defense up to the task? They passed the tests against the Commanders and the Rams. But the Ravens take that to another level.

The Eagles are in a great place. Even if they lose this game, the 2-seed in the NFC will be easily attainable. But with the Lions still at just 1 loss, if the Eagles want to eventually win the 1-seed, this game could be important. And, if they can beat the Ravens, it will be hard for anyone to still doubt the validity of this team.

But what do they need to do to leave Baltimore 10-2? These players are going to need to step up.

Here Are 6 Eagles Players That Need To Have Great Games Against The Ravens:

• AJ Brown

  These two teams have a lot in common. Both are great at running the ball and stopping the run. But the big difference between the two teams is that while the Eagles secondary is playing at a very high level, the Ravens are not. They give up the 2nd most passing yards per game in the league at 277.7.

  That is where the Eagles can win. Obviously, they are still going to run the ball. Even against a very tough run defense, it is what they do, and they can’t get away from it. But outside of Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens’ secondary has been a mess. AJ Brown, and Devonta Smith if he returns, need to win those matchups.

  By the way, the Eagles are still undefeated in games AJ Brown plays.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "AJ Brown is @1kalwaysopen_.📺: #PHIvsLAR on NBC/Peacock📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0QEsBDRykN / X"

  AJ Brown is @1kalwaysopen_.📺: #PHIvsLAR on NBC/Peacock📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0QEsBDRykN

• Zack Baun and Jordan Davis

  The Eagles run defense has been fantastic, especially since the Bye Week. But stopping Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson is going to be an entirely different type of test. Henry is easily the 2nd best RB in the league so far, with only Saquon Barkley ahead of him. And like the Eagles, the Ravens have a mobile QB in Lamar Jackson to pair with the threat their RB offers.

  Expecting the Eagles to stop them is unreasonable. Henry and Jackson will likely get theirs at some point. But can they corral them a bit? Keep them from controlling the game?

  A lot of people go into that, but let’s single out Zack Baun. He is a massive reason why the Eagles run defense has been this good. he leads the league with 46 stops. He often seems to be involved in every play.

  Jordan Davis will also have to keep doing his thing though. He does not have the stats, but make no mistake, he is a massive reason why the run D is this good. Him eating up double teams opens things up for Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean. All 3 of those players will need to show up if they are going to contain the Ravens run game.

  NFL Network on X (formerly Twitter): "Zack Baun on the success of the @Eagles defense since the bye week 🙌 @GMFB pic.twitter.com/w6S5iBgluq / X"

  Zack Baun on the success of the @Eagles defense since the bye week 🙌 @GMFB pic.twitter.com/w6S5iBgluq

• Saquon Barkley And The O-Line

  To this point, no RB has run for more than 100 yards on thew Ravens. Chase Brown leads the pack right now with 88 against them. But obviously Barkley is a different type of back than they have faced. He is currently on pace to break both the rushing yards record, and the scrimmage yards record.

  We have seen enough to believe this Eagles team can run on anyone. Between the O-Line just mauling people, and Barkley exploding through the holes, it is hard to see anyone slowing them down over 4 quarters. But if they do it to the Ravens too, it will erase no doubt.

  And if they can do it, it is hard to see them losing. We have seen what this team does to teams late in game. They just beat them up until they lose the will to fight, and then the eagles can take over. It is the plan that has worked every other week, why go away from it now?

  PFF PHI Eagles on X (formerly Twitter): "Most rushing yards in the NFL in Week 12:🥇 Saquon Barkley - 255🥈 Saquon Barkley after contact - 156🥉 Derrick Henry - 140 pic.twitter.com/ymZqixCC32 / X"

  Most rushing yards in the NFL in Week 12:🥇 Saquon Barkley - 255🥈 Saquon Barkley after contact - 156🥉 Derrick Henry - 140 pic.twitter.com/ymZqixCC32

• Nolan Smith and Josh Sweat

  They are here for 2 reasons. One, because Brandon Graham is out for the year, and they are now incredibly thin at Edge Rusher, requiring these two to really step up and likely take on more snaps.

  But more than that, they need to be extra disciplined this week. The Edge Rushers dominated vs the Rams. But with Matthew Stafford under center, they did not have to worry about him scrambling ( though he actually did once). They could bear down and just get after him. You can’t do that vs Lamar. They have to get after him, but they also have to keep contain, making it much harder to apply pressure.

  They did a great job against Jayden Daniels a couple weeks back. But against Lamar you can kick that challenge up to an 11.

  Philadelphia Eagles on X (formerly Twitter): "Brandon Graham just moved into 3rd place on the Eagles' all-time sacks list (76.5) 😤@brandongraham55 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/TDg5bI0NC3 / X"

  Brandon Graham just moved into 3rd place on the Eagles' all-time sacks list (76.5) 😤@brandongraham55 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/TDg5bI0NC3

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