The Baltimore Ravens fell back to earth this week with a humbling loss to the New Orleans Saints. There was plenty of blame to go around in this one, with a few bright spots mixed in.
Winners
Rashod Bateman: The Ravens needed their former first-rounder to step up in Zay Flowers’ absence this week, and Bateman answered the call with 88 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Bateman was the intended target on Lamar Jackson’s game-sealing interception, leading to questions about whether he ran the correct
route, but both players were quick to shut such speculation down after the game.
Trenton Simpson: Simpson’s contract season is off to a strong start through two games. The athletic linebacker was everywhere against the Saints, making six tackles and one tackle for loss. Simpson helped end several plays close to the line of scrimmage throughout the game.
Mark Andrews: Andrews started the game on the wrong foot with a drop on third down, leading to a three-and-out on the offense’s first series. The veteran tight end rebounded afterwards, though, moving the chains on multiple plays and helping to spring several runs with key blocks. Andrews finished the day with 49 yards on six catches. While he may not be the explosive threat he once was, Jackson’s career go-to target can still be a reliable option through the air.
Devontez Walker: Walker had just one catch on the day, but it was a big one. Backed up in their own end zone, Jackson connected with Walker on a 47-yard bomb. Walker has done nothing but make big plays when called upon so far in his career.
Losers
Secondary: Just about every member of the secondary shares some blame, from allowing Chris Olave to convert multiple key first downs to missing crucial tackles throughout the game. Safeties Malaki Starks and Jaylinn Hawkins seemed to be the worst offenders, with both missing tackles that led to extended drives for New Orleans. Starks appeared to be responsible for Olave’s touchdown catch as well.
Special teams: The Ravens’ special teams had multiple gaffes on the day, the first being a blocked field goal that would have given Baltimore a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Perhaps the bigger blunder, though, was allowing a 53-yard kick return before the end of the first half that allowed the Saints to cut the lead to eight with a field goal.
Coaching staff: The honeymoon period for the Ravens’ new coaching staff is officially over. Sunday’s loss featured multiple questionable decisions on both sides of the ball. Possibly the biggest head-scratcher of the day was opting for a deep shot to wide receiver Chris Moore on third-and-one instead of handing the ball to Derrick Henry. The incomplete pass led to a three-and-out while the game was tied in the fourth quarter. Jesse Minter also had a questionable challenge on an Olave catch on the previous drive, which led to the Ravens only having two timeouts with just over a minute left on their final drive of the game.
Chris Moore: Moore was the surprising hero of Week 1, but things did not go as well this week for the veteran receiver. Moore was the intended target on the aforementioned third-and-one deep ball, failing to haul the pass in. Moore was also flagged for holding earlier in the game, which negated a signature Jackson scramble for a first down. Moore nearly fumbled on a kickoff return as well, but he was ruled down on replay.
