The New Orleans Saints currently have the 21st ranked defense in the NFL following their 31-30 overtime loss versus the Detroit Lions in week one action. The Saints gave up 369 total yards of offense while 204 of those came through the air (18th in pass yards allowed) and the other 165 were given up on the ground (28th in rush yards allowed.)
31 points allowed left the Saints tied for 23rd in defensive scoring with the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills. Although New Orleans ultimately lost the turnover
battle in week one, they still managed to force one (should have been two?) takeaway against Detroit by way of a forced fumble.
Safety Jonas Sanker led the team with ten tackles last weekend while DE Carl Granderson was credited with the lone sack for the black and gold. Vernon Broughton delivered the fumble recovery after a strong punchout on Jahmyr Gibbs.
Baltimore’s offense is second in the league in total offense after their 506 yard outburst against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. The Ravens put up as astounding 304 passing yards (5th) and 202 rushing (3rd) behind QB Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens put up the second most points in the NFL last weekend as they dropped 41 on the Colts. Jackson was responsible for two total touchdowns while RB Derrick Henry rushed for three more. WR Zay Flowers was on the receiving end of Jackson’s lone TD pass and finished his day with 150 yards on just five receptions. TE Mark Andrews added another four catches for 49 yards.
Although he did not throw an interception during last week’s contest, Jackson still had one fumble that he lost which led to a four-play TD drive for the Colts.
New Orleans will now attempt to avoid an 0-2 start to the season on the road against a top offense in the league. Even with Flowers, one of Lamar’s top pass catching threats, still questionable to go versus New Orleans (hamstring,) Baltimore has deep offensive firepower and will be a challenge for a young Saints defense to contain.
