The New Orleans Saints are in search of their first win of the season, and their next matchup won’t make it any easier. The Black and Gold are traveling to Maryland to take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite the loss, New Orleans is entering Week 2 with a bit of momentum, scoring 30 points in the second half and overtime against the Detroit Lions. The Saints are hoping to bring that momentum early against Baltimore.
Saints pass rush vs. QB Lamar Jackson
Sometimes you look at a team’s logo and immediately think of one player.
For the Ravens, that player has become Lamar Jackson. The ninth-year quarterback is a four-time Pro Bowler, three-time First-Team All-Pro, and, of course, a 2x MVP.
What’s so dynamic about Jackson’s game is his versatility. He has the running skills of your favorite running back, yet can throw the deep ball as well as any quarterback in the league. The former MVP will be a problem for the Saints on Sunday, but there are answers.
The New Orleans pass rush must get to Jackson. While easier said than done, the best way to beat the veteran quarterback is to force him to attack the short and medium parts of the field. The Saints’ pass rush will have to contain Jackson and shorten his time to throw.
The New Orleans pass rush wasn’t successful on that feat in Week 1, however, sacking Jared Goff just once in the loss. But if they want any chance to keep up with the high-powered Ravens offense that put up 41 points last week, making sure their veteran quarterback doesn’t control the game is their first task.
Saints run defense vs. RB Derrick Henry
Could the Saints’ run defense have been scheduled for a harder first two weeks? First, they tried and failed to limit Jahmyr Gibbs, who ran for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns. Now they must face Derrick Henry, who’s eyeing a chance to move up to ninth on the NFL’s All-Time leading rusher list.
Henry was phenomenal in Week 1, rushing for 144 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts. If he logs 97 or more yards against the Saints, he’ll pass Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson on the NFL’s All-Time leading rushers list.
Henry is a drastically different back from what New Orleans faced in Week 1. Instead of the shiftyness and quick side-steps they experienced with Gibbs, Henry bruises his way through NFL defenses and will be an extremely physical matchup for the Black and Gold. A physical matchup for a run defense that’s likely already exhausted after facing 33 rushing attempts against the Lions.
It’s no question the Saints’ run defense will be busy on Sunday. If it’s not Henry, it’ll be Jackson. But their chances of coming out with a win improve drastically if they can hold one of the league’s best under 100 yards.
WR Chris Olave vs. Ravens’ secondary
The Chris Olave and Tyler Shough connection was everything we hoped for and more in the season debut. Olave ended the day with 10 receptions for 182 yards. The fifth-year wideout is in for a big season, and that continues with the Ravens. But Baltimore is preparing a game plan to slow Olave down, with veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey saying the Ravens defense’s number one priority is “putting a cap” on the star wide receiver.
Other Saints pass catchers have stepped up in place of rookie Jordyn Tyson, who is dealing with an injury. Devaughn Vele was a big winner in his season debut, and Bryce Lance made big plays. While both wideouts stepped up, Olave will need a big game if New Orleans wants to come out with a win.
From young stars such as Kyle Hamilton and Nate Wiggins to veterans like Humphrey, the Ravens don’t lack talent in the secondary. But Olave has continued to show the ability to come up big and has the chance to solidify himself as one of the league’s best if he can add to his big season with a strong performance against Baltimore.
