Defending the run was hardly the Big Easy for the Saints in Week 1, as Jahmyr Gibbs racked up 156 yards on 29 carries. No time for rest, though, as coordinator Brandon Staley faces another steep test in slowing Derrick Henry in Week 2. The Ravens might look to lean on the load-bearing running back on Sunday, as wide receivers Zay Flowers (hamstring) and Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) left the season-opening out over the Colts.
Maintaining the torrid pace Baltimore got out to against Indianapolis will be exceedingly difficult if the receiving corps is shorthanded, but Lamar Jackson looks to have recaptured some explosiveness as a runner while also seeming fully at home in the dropback attack that new coordinator Declan Doyle has orchestrated. The Saints
will be looking for a quicker start after Tyler Shough rallied to throw for 325 yards in the second half and overtime of a narrow loss to the Lions. Chris Olave could have some more opportunities for downfield shots, but Shough — who took five sacks against Detroit — could face a good deal of pressure from Trey Hendrickson and Jesse Minter's blitz-heavy approach.
The quarterback unquestionably will require more support than the Saints' reconfigured ground game gave him in the opener, with Travis Etienne Jr. and Kendre Miller struggling to break any big gains or keep the offense on schedule.
Ravens vs Saints odds, moneyline, over/under
Opening lines:
- Spread: Ravens -7.5
- Moneyline: Ravens -380; Saints +350
- Total: 46.5
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Saints at Ravens score predictions
Adam Kaufman: Ravens 34, Saints 24
People are going to put too much stock in the Saints rallying from 21 points down to nearly upset the Lions in overtime. Tyler Shough passed for 410 yards, with Chris Olave accounting for nearly half of them, but that shouldn't erase the three turnovers Shough committed before catching fire. Two came on consecutive possessions and handed Detroit short-field touchdowns. Trey Hendrickson and the Ravens' defense should harass Shough after generating eight pressures from Hendrickson alone in Week 1. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry ought to do whatever they want against a defensive front that just allowed Jahmyr Gibbs to run for 156 yards. Zay Flowers' hamstring could lower Baltimore's offensive ceiling, but it wouldn't change my pick. This projects as a double-digit Ravens win in their home opener.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens 31, Saints 20
Replicating the magic of a breakout Week 1 performance could prove difficult for the Ravens' offense. But even if Declan Doyle doesn' reach the same heights that he did against the Colts, Baltimore still might overpower New Orleans. It's also possible that this ends up as Jesse Minter's time to shine, with the coach's pressure packages potentially enveloping Tyler Shough. Another slow start probably will prove too much for New Orleans to overcome.
Nate Davis: Ravens 30, Saints 23
The first two weeks of New Orleans' schedule always projected as unkind. And hard to imagine the Ravens allowing Saints WR Chris Olave to go off for another 182 yards. Take him away – or limit him, at minimum – in the passing game, and Baltimore has to feel pretty good that the alternatives won't beat them. And Lamar Jackson is a whole different ball of wax for a defense that struggled to contain the Lions and immobile QB Jared Goff in the opener.
Richard Morin: Ravens 24, Saints 23
I don't think the Saints are as hopeless as some think, so the spread feels inflated here. But we're not picking against the spread; we're picking a winner and predicitng a score. I see this one shaking out very close, and I'll give the edge to the better team, which is Baltimore. Still, the Saints will continue to show their potential and will remain competitive in the NFC South picture as we move through the 2026 campaign.
Where to watch Saints at Ravens
- Matchup: Ravens vs. Saints
- Date: Sept. 20
- Time: 1:00 p.m.
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- TV: CBS
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Saints at Ravens: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 2 game
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