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PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The
Baltimore Ravens
thought they had
Terrell Owens
. Instead, Owens landed with the
Philadelphia Eagles
.
Owens meets the team he shunned Sunday when the unbeaten Eagles host the Ravens at Lincoln Financial Field.
Looking to give quarterback
Kyle Boller
a big-play receiver, the Ravens thought they had accomplished that after acquiring Owens from the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick.
Before being traded to the Ravens, Owens thought he had worked out a deal with the Eagles. He ultimately brokered a trade to Philadelphia, where he wanted to play with
Donovan McNabb
.
"I wanted to be somewhere where I could be most productive," Owens said. "To play like the receiver I know I can be, I had to be put in the right situation. I'm just thankful for Donovan and our progress. We seem to get better each and every week."
The Ravens got back the second-round pick they originally parted with for Owens and a fifth-round pick for reaching an agreement on the revised trade.
Owens' refusal to play in Baltimore did not sit well with middle linebacker
Ray Lewis
, who has warned the star receiver to not go over the middle.
"
Ray Lewis
is a very good football player and so is T.O.," Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress said. "If they come across each other, so be it. I don't think it's going to be a deal where they have a lightning rod or anything like that."
Owens and Lewis did not cross paths in the preseason meeting. But Owens did have an 81-yard touchdown reception.
Owens' arrival in Philadelphia has made the Eagles into one of the NFL's most explosive teams. He has more than done his part with four straight 100-yard games and eight touchdown catches.
Philadelphia's offense will receive its stiffest test against Baltimore, which features one of the NFL's best secondaries.
Chris McAlister
is one of the top cover corners and
Ed Reed
is one of the league's best safeties.
Last week, Owens had four catches for 109 yards and two TDs as the Eagles posted a 34-31 overtime win at Cleveland. McNabb threw for 376 yards and four TDs.
Seeking their first 7-0 start in club history, the Eagles and
New England Patriots
are the NFL's lone remaining unbeaten teams.
Philadelphia could be without running back
Brian Westbrook
, who is questionable with a bruised chest. Westbrook is one of the Eagles' key components on offense and has rushed for 458 yards to go along 31 catches for 249 yards.
Still without a playmaker at wide receiver, Boller has struggled. He has thrown for just 736 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in six games.
Already without running back
Jamal Lewis
, who will finish serving his two-game suspension, the Ravens will also be without Pro Bowl left tackle
Jonathan Ogden
due to a pulled left hamstring.
Last week, the Ravens' defense came up big in a 20-6 win over Buffalo. Nickel back
Deion Sanders
had two interceptions, one of which he returned 49 yards for a TD, and the Ravens registered four sacks.
Chester Taylor
filled in for
Jamal Lewis
and rushed for 89 yards on 21 carries.
Matchup to watch: Owens against McAlister, who is one of the NFL's best shutdown corners.
Series: The teams tied the only previous meeting in Baltimore in 1997.
Next week: Baltimore hosts Cleveland on November 7 Philadelphia visits Pittsburgh on November 7
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