NFL
In Week 1, the Jesse Minter era started on a positive note with a 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Now, the Baltimore Ravens will head home for their 1st home game of the season against the New Orleans Saints. It is also the home debut for new head coach Jesse Minter and company in Week 2 at M&T Bank Stadium. This is the Ravens’ first matchup against the NFC South, which they will play again later in the season. Let’s dive right into the Week 2 matchup between New Orleans & Baltimore.
The Baltimore Ravens started the post-John Harbaugh era with a dominating win over the Indianapolis Colts under Jesse Minter. After giving up a touchdown on their first drive, the Ravens took control and never looked back. On offense, the Ravens put up 506 total yards against the Colts’ defense, with big games from Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
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Week 2, the Ravens will likely be down 2 wide receivers due to injuries to Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane. But with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the lineup, the Ravens’ offense shouldn’t be in trouble.
The Ravens will need a big-time game from wideouts Rashod Bateman, Elijah Stratt, and Devontez Walker this week.
On the other side of the ball, the defense played like old-school Ravens football against the Colts in Week 1. The defense held the Colts offense to just 251 total yards and 2 turnovers. The pass rush had a 58.6% pressure rate when Trey Hendrickson was on the field pressuring the quarterback. When Hendrickson was off the field, the pass rush pressure rate dropped to 20.0%.
The defense will be in for a battle this Sunday against the New Orleans offense, which put up 469 yards. Last week, QB Tyler Shough threw for 410 yards against a bad Detroit Lions secondary with 3 touchdown passes. Saints wide receiver Chris Olave also had a monster game against the Detroit Lions, catching 182 yards in Week 1. New Orleans came back from down 21-0 to force overtime, then lost 31-30 on a failed 2-point conversion. The Ravens’ secondary will need to shut down Tyler Shough and his arm to win this game on Sunday.
Week 2 vs. the New Orleans Saints will have some X-Factors, like most games. One offensive X-Factor for Week 2 will be wide receiver Rashod Bateman. In Week 1, Bateman wasn’t even targeted for a catch in the Ravens’ Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. For Week 2, Bateman will be a big part of the Ravens’ offensive game plan with Zay Flowers & Ja’kobi Lane out.
Another X-factor for the Ravens in Week 2 is another wide receiver: Chris Moore was added to the active roster. In Week 1, Moore had only 1 catch for 53 yards, which set up a Derrick Henry rushing touchdown.
On any given Sunday, we could see a blowout or a close game, and it could be either. The Ravens will basically need to run the same kind of defensive game against the Colts to stop Tyler Shough. The offense will also need to find ways to get the other receivers involved in the game plan. Losing Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane will hurt the offense, but OC Declan Doyle will find ways to execute.
The Baltimore Ravens will put many points on the New Orleans Saints defense that gave up 31 points against Detroit. I also see the defense forcing more turnovers, as they did in Week 1, and getting more sacks. Overall, I see the Ravens making the Saints march all the way back to New Orleans with an L.
Prediction: Saints 13, Ravens 31
