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Baltimore vs. New Orleans Saints: Week 9 Wraps with the Ravens and Saints in the Big Easy on MNF
Our NFL experts predict, pick and preview the Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints Monday night game, with kickoff time, TV channel and spread.
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Baltimore vs. New Orleans Saints: Week 9 Wraps with the Ravens and Saints in the Big Easy on MNF
Two playoff hopefuls on the upswing will meet on "Monday Night Football" when the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints meet in the Caesars Superdome.The Ravens (5-3) overcame a 10-3 halftime deficit last Thursday night to win at Tampa Bay, 27-22. Lamar Jackson served as a potent dual threat. He completed 27 of 38 passing attempts for 238 yards and two touchdowns while rushing nine times for 43 yards. After allowing 10 points on the first two drives, Baltimore's defense forced five straight punts, with only two first downs along the way. Meanwhile, the Ravens scored on all four of its second-half drives — ignoring two kneel-downs to end the game.
The Saints' (3-5) defense finally lived up to its presumed potential by squashing the Raiders last Sunday. Las Vegas did not cross the 50-yard line until two minutes remained in the contest and only compiled only 183 yards. In contrast, Alvin Kamara alone gained 158 yards from scrimmage, 62 on the ground and 96 through the air.
The Ravens lead this series 5-2 and have won both previous meetings in New Orleans. The Saints won the most recent matchup, 24-23, in 2018, although Joe Flacco was still Baltimore's starting quarterback at the time.
Monday Night Football: Baltimore (5-3) at New Orleans (3-5)
Kickoff: Monday, Nov. 8 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Ravens -3
Tickets: As low as $54 on SITickets.com*
Three Things to Watch
1. Can the Saints' defense contain Lamar Jackson?
Jackson remains one of the NFL's greatest rushers among all players, not just quarterbacks. His average of 69.1 rushing yards per game is tops among quarterbacks and the 15th highest among all players. He has picked up 31 first downs, the most by a quarterback and the seventh-highest number in general. Notably, his number of carries (75) ranks as only 34th, allowing him to lead the league in yards per carry at 7.4. He has served as an important component, but not the sole contributor, to a rushing attack that ranks second in the league (165.6 ypg).
Opposing quarterbacks have had some success vs the Saints' defense. The eight quarterbacks who have faced New Orleans have combined for 136 yards on 31 attempts with two touchdowns. Three weeks ago, Joe Burrow only carried the ball four times but accounted for 25 yards and a touchdown. In the following game, Kyler Murray rushed seven times for 30 yards.
2. What difference can Roquan Smith and David Ojabo make to Baltimore's defense?
The Ravens have shown vulnerability to opponents' aerial attacks. They have allowed 266.8 passing yards per game, which ranks them 28th in the NFL. Opponents have scored 12 touchdowns through the air in eight games (also have eight interceptions), but reinforcements are expected to bolster the defense this week.
Baltimore traded a second- and fifth-round pick plus A.J. Klein to Chicago for star linebacker Roquan Smith and activated rookie second-rounder David Ojabo as well as Tyus Bowser from the PUP list. All three are expected to debut with their new teams in this game.
These two linebackers might be able to increase pressure on the Saints. After moving on from blitz-happy defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Baltimore has blitzed just 21.8 percent of the time, 22nd in the NFL. Nevertheless, they are tied for fifth with 23 sacks.
Poor tackling seems to account for the vulnerability to passing attacks. Opponents have compiled 1,089 yards after catches, the third-highest total among the 32 teams. The Ravens also have been credited with 47 missed tackles, which ties them for fifth most in the league.
The three linebackers seem primed to help the pass rush. In eight games with the Bears, Smith recorded 2.5 sacks and three hits on the quarterback. He also defended against three passes and intercepted two. Ojabo and Bowser may be eased back into action after returning from torn Achilles injuries. Expectations are high for Ojabo, who was a first-round talent and fell because of the injury.
3. Can the Raven grab an early lead and hold onto it?
Baltimore has struggled in the fourth quarter all season. Opponents have outscored the Ravens 83-35 in the final fifteen minutes. The Dolphins used a 28-3 fourth quarter to overcome Baltimore's 21-point lead. The Bills scored the only points, a field goal, to break a tie in the final quarter for the victory. The Giants scored two touchdowns in the last six minutes to erase the Ravens' ten-point advantage.
New Orleans has stumbled out of the gate in most matchups yet rebounded in the second half, not losing by more than 10 points in any game. The Saints have outpaced their adversaries 37-27 in the third quarter. In the final quarter of games, the Saints have outscored opponents 77-70. Unfortunately for the Saints, they have trailed after the third quarter in four contests but only pulled out a victory once.
Final Analysis
The Ravens will return home for their bye week after leaving New Orleans. This is their second consecutive game on the road. A victory in the Crescent City would ensure their maintaining the lead in the AFC North through Week 10.
The Saints dug themselves into a hole with their 2-5 start. Fortunately for them, their shutout of the Raiders combined with the Buccaneers' loss to the Ravens made the hole seem less deep. Running quarterbacks like Jackson have given the Saints fits in recent years. That does not appear likely to change in this matchup.
Prediction: Ravens 27, Saints 16
