The Baltimore Ravens suffered an upset defeat in Week 2, falling to the New Orleans Saints at home by a score of 24-17. The Ravens led for most of the game before being outscored 15-0 in the fourth quarter and squandering an eight-point lead. It was a disappointing follow up to a resounding victory in the regular season opener.
Here are report card grades for each position group from the losing effort.
Quarterback: C+
Lamar Jackson was mostly sharp throwing the ball in this game. He wound up connecting
on 67% of his 31 pass attempts for 235 yards through the air with a touchdown, while adding 34 running yards on four rushes. The game-sealing interception to end the game leaves a sour taste, however. Whether it was simply a bad throw or a case of route miscommunication with Rashod Bateman is unclear — either way it erased the chance of a vintage game-winning drive or game-tying drive. Jackson played a fine game within structure, but the Ravens could have used more off-script magic from him without Zay Flowers on the field.
Running Back: B
Derrick Henry’s longest run of the game went for only eight yards. He averaged 4.3 yards per rush with a touchdown and 87 scrimmage yards. The Ravens puzzlingly only gave Henry five carries in the second half when they were leading by more than a touchdown. He likely would have been able to grind out some much-needed first downs to help sustain drives. Justice Hill turned four touches into 18 total yards behind him.
Wide Receiver: B
In the first game without Flowers or Ja’Kobi Lane, Bateman stepped up with a team-high seven catches on nine targets for 88 yards — the most of any player on both teams — and a touchdown catch. Bateman unfortunately was the target on Jackson’s intercepted pass to end the game. Devontez Walker had a highlight reel 47-yard catch early in the game in his season debut but was targeted only one either time. Walker’s involvement likely should have been greater. LaJohntay Wester and Chris Moore each had one catch. Rookie Elijah Sarratt was not involved in the game plan and was out-snapped by both Moore and Wester.
Tight End: C+
Mark Andrews had an effective pass-catching game with six catches, second-most on the team. Andrews recorded 49 receiving yards for the second straight game and had multiple first down conversions over the middle. Rookies Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas were not targeted at all. Some anticipated more tight end usage given the wide receiver deficit from injuries, but that was not the case. Durham Smythe was targeted one time but did not have a catch. The tight ends collectively did not seem to make a huge impact in the run game, as Henry was not able to hit any significant running lanes on the outside.
Offensive Line: D+
It was another uneven performance from the Ravens’ offensive line. Their pass protection was shaky for the second straight week, and this time the run blocking was not as dominant to compensate. Jackson was sacked three times and the Ravens surrendered six quarterback hits as well. The Saints were able to generate pressure to make key plays in the second half. Ronnie Stanley was replaced by Carson Vinson after he aggravated a toe injury and the interior of the offensive line was suspect. Jovaughn Gwyn and Vega Ioane each allowed multiple pressures and John Simpson had a notable missed block as well.
Defensive Line: C
The front seven did a good job against the run, limiting the Saints to only 65 rushing yards on 27 carries. Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. were held in check. They were not able to create much interior pressure against Shough in the pocket. Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, Broderick Washington and company were quiet in the box score. Jones did have one pass breakup, but there were not any notable plays in terms of pass rush.
Edge Rusher: B
The Ravens were able to get pressure against Tyler Shough but allowed him to evade sacks a few times. Trey Hendrickson had his first sack as a Raven to accompany a tackle for loss. Mike Green had a big performance with a team-high two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits, along with a sack as well. Tavius Robinson had another sack for the second straight game. It wasn’t the best showing for rookie Zion Young, who missed a couple notable tackles. The Ravens’ edge rushers did a good job containing outside runs and limiting any explosive rushing plays.
Linebacker: C
Roquan Smith had eight total tackles but the impact plays he made last week were not there to the same degree. Trenton Simpson had a tackle for loss and a huge stop on the Saints’ two-point conversion attempt, which would have been a game-altering moment if not for a holding penalty that negated the play. The Ravens’ linebackers similarly deserve credit for the defense’s effectiveness against the run, but also share blame for missed tackles over the middle of the field. Saints’ tight end Juwan Johnson had 66 receiving yards.
Cornerback: C
The Ravens had some difficulties covering Chris Olave, who made big catches and conversions in one-on-one situations. Olave finished with eight receptions for 86 yards and a late fourth-quarter score. Marlon Humphrey was beaten a couple times in lone coverage. Devaughn Vele, the Saints’ No. 2 wideout, also had a couple notable catches and finished with 64 receiving yards and a long catch of 29 yards. Humphrey had one pass breakup and Nate Wiggins finished with six tackles and was solid in coverage again. Rookie Chandler Rivers had a huge tackle for loss attacking a screen pass from the nickel spot.
Safety: D+
Kyle Hamilton easily led the defense in tackles with 13 (seven solo tackles), one of which was a tackle for loss. It was not the most memorable performance for Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins, who appeared to miss multiple timely tackles in open space. Hawkins was called for a holding penalty on the Saints’ unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, which they then converted on the re-try to knot the game up at 17-17. The Ravens need Starks to make more impact plays on the ball consistently.
Special Teams: D+
This was a forgettable game for the Ravens’ special teams unit and a disappointing follow up to a great outing in Week 1. Tyler Loop’s first 49-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked, forcing a miss that would have given the Ravens a 10-point lead in the second quarter. Just before halftime, their kick return coverage unit gave up a huge return that put the Saints in position to add another field goal, which made it a one-possession game.
