The Baltimore Ravens will return to M&T Bank Stadium carrying momentum from a 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, but New Orleans presents a different challenge in Sunday’s home opener. The Saints lost their season opener to Detroit, 31-30, in overtime, but produced 469 yards of offense and demonstrated that their passing game can create explosive plays. Quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Olave led the NFL with 10 receptions and 182 receiving yards.
Baltimore enters the matchup as the favorite, but the Saints have enough offensive firepower and defensive experience to make the afternoon uncomfortable.
Here is what Ravens fans should know about New Orleans entering Week 2.
Saints record: 0-1
New Orleans opened the
season with an overtime loss at Detroit. The Saints fell behind early but rallied behind Shough and an offense that finished fourth in total yardage and first in passing after Week 1.
The result also means New Orleans is playing a second consecutive road game, including five quarters in Detroit, before Baltimore’s “White Noise” home opener.
Head coach: Kellen Moore
Moore is in his second season as New Orleans’ head coach. Doug Nussmeier coordinates his offense, while former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley oversees the defense.
Moore’s system emphasizes spacing, pre-snap movement, and opportunities for the quarterback to attack favorable matchups. Shough’s Week 1 production offered an early indication that the offense could take a significant step forward.
Quarterback: Tyler Shough
Shough completed enough downfield throws to finish with 410 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against Detroit. He is not just a stationary pocket passer. Shough has enough mobility to extend plays, escape pressure, and challenge a defense outside structure. Baltimore’s pass rush must remain disciplined while attempting to disrupt him.
The Ravens forced two turnovers against Indianapolis, and similar opportunities could arise if they pressure Shough into hurried throws.
New Orleans’ offensive identity
The passing game runs through Olave, who accounted for nearly half of Shough’s Week 1 passing production. Olave can win vertically, separate on intermediate routes and move throughout the formation.
Devaughn Vele added seven receptions for 69 yards, while tight end Juwan Johnson caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Noah Fant contributed four receptions for 33 yards and a score.
New Orleans finished with only 91 rushing yards. Travis Etienne Jr. led the team with 46 yards, while Kendre Miller added 30. Alvin Kamara will join the rotation and has no injury designation after appearing on the report with a knee issue.
The Saints cannot allow Baltimore to make their offense one-dimensional. Establishing a credible running threat would help slow Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson, and the Ravens’ pressure packages.
Player to watch: Chris Olave
Olave is the obvious concern, provided his hamstring permits him to play. He is listed as questionable after being limited Thursday and Friday.
Marlon Humphrey could draw significant work against Olave after returning to the perimeter in Week 1. Nate Wiggins also enters the matchup after allowing no receptions over 34 coverage snaps against Indianapolis.
Olave’s route running and ability to create explosive gains make him the player Baltimore must locate before every snap.
New Orleans’ offensive line
The Saints start Kelvin Banks Jr. at left tackle, David Edwards at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Taliese Fuaga at right tackle.
Banks and Fuaga give New Orleans two talented young tackles, but Baltimore’s edge combination will be a tough test. Hendrickson generated eight pressures in Week 1, while Robinson added seven pressures and a sack.
Hendrickson is questionable with a finger injury. His availability would significantly affect how New Orleans constructs its protection plan.
Defensive coordinator: Brandon Staley
Staley uses a multiple front and generally prefers to limit explosive passes by keeping two safeties involved in coverage. His defense can shift between odd and even fronts while changing the picture before the snap.
That structure can invite opponents to run the football. Detroit accepted the invitation and finished with 165 rushing yards, including 156 from Jahmyr Gibbs.
Baltimore should be prepared to give Derrick Henry another substantial workload after his 144-yard, three-touchdown performance in Indianapolis.
New Orleans’ defensive front
Carl Granderson, Chase Young and Cameron Jordan headline the Saints’ edge rotation. Granderson recorded New Orleans’ only sack in Week 1, while Young posted an 18.5% pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, Vernon Broughton and rookie Christen Miller provide size in the interior. The group must improve after Detroit controlled portions of the game on the ground.
Young and Jordan practiced fully on Friday and carry no injury designations.
Linebackers
Kaden Elliss returned to New Orleans during the offseason and gives Staley an experienced, versatile linebacker who can rush, cover, and play downhill.
Pete Werner remains a steady interior presence, while Danny Stutsman supplies additional speed and youth.
Baltimore can test this group with play-action, Jackson’s mobility and multi-tight-end formations that force linebackers to make difficult run-pass decisions.
Secondary
Kool-Aid McKinstry and rookie Quincy Riley are listed as New Orleans’ starting outside cornerbacks. Jonas Sanker handles the nickel role after recording 10 tackles in Week 1.
Veterans Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon start at safety. That tandem gives the Saints experience, range, and the ability to disguise coverage.
The secondary allowed 204 passing yards against Detroit but now faces Jackson, who threw for 324 yards while averaging nearly 13 yards per attempt in Week 1.
New Orleans’ biggest strength
The Shough-to-Olave connection gives the Saints an immediate source of explosive offense.
Shough demonstrated the confidence to attack downfield, while Olave showed that he can dominate targets without sacrificing efficiency. Baltimore must disrupt their timing and keep Olave from turning intermediate completions into game-changing gains.
New Orleans’ biggest weakness
Run defense is the clearest concern after Detroit rushed for 165 yards.
That is a dangerous problem against Henry, Jackson, and an offensive line that helped Baltimore produce 202 rushing yards in Indianapolis. Heavy personnel and play-action could force New Orleans to commit additional defenders to the box, creating favorable passing opportunities behind them.
Injuries to monitor
Olave is questionable with a hamstring injury, making his pregame status the Saints' biggest storyline.
Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird is doubtful because of a shoulder injury. Long snapper Zach Wood has been ruled out with a calf injury, forcing New Orleans to alter its field-goal, extra-point, and punt operation.
Johnson, Jordan, Young, Kamara, Oscar Delp and Godchaux received no final game designation.
Baltimore ruled out Madubuike, Buchanan and Tampa. Flowers is doubtful, while Hendrickson, Stanley and Simpson are questionable.
Recent series history
Baltimore leads the all-time series 6-2 and has won six of the eight meetings between the franchises.
The Ravens won the most recent matchup, 27-13, in New Orleans on Nov. 7, 2022. Jackson directed the offense, and Baltimore’s defense limited the Saints to one touchdown until the final minutes.
New Orleans’ two victories in the series both came in Baltimore, in 2002 and 2018.
Final overview
The Saints are more dangerous than their 0-1 record suggests. Shough is coming off a 410-yard performance, Olave can change the game from multiple alignments, and Staley’s defense has experienced playmakers at every level.
The matchup still favors Baltimore. New Orleans must find a way to contain Henry after surrendering 165 rushing yards, account for Jackson’s legs, and survive another road game following an overtime defeat.
If the Ravens control the line of scrimmage and keep Shough from developing an early rhythm with Olave, they should have a chance to turn their home opener into a 2-0 start.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Saints preview: Get to know Baltimore’s Week 2 opponent
