The Baltimore Ravens looked poised to improve to 2-0 after building an 11-point lead over the New Orleans Saints. Instead, a fourth-quarter collapse left Baltimore searching for answers after a24-17 loss at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore led 14-3 during the second quarter after Derrick Henry scored on the ground and Lamar Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman for a 22-yard touchdown. Bateman stepped forward with Zay Flowers sidelined by a hamstring injury, catching seven passes for 88 yards and one touchdown. Kyle Hamilton also delivered several impact plays for a defense that controlled much of the first half.
The Ravens could not maintain that momentum.
Baltimore scored only three points after halftime, keeping New Orleans within striking distance.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Shough found Chris Olave for a fourth-quarter touchdown before Travis Etienne converted the ensuing two-point attempt, tying the game at 17. Olave finished with eight receptions for 86 yards. New Orleans then produced the decisive drive, which Shough completed with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:28 remaining.
Baltimore had one final opportunity, but Julian Blackmon intercepted Jackson with 21 seconds left.
The Saints finished without a turnover, converted 8 of 15 third downs and went 2-for-2 on fourth down. That efficiency allowed them to overcome an early 14-3 deficit. The Ravens fell to 1-1 after failing to finish a game they controlled for three quarters. Baltimore must now address an offense that stalled and a defense that could not get off the field in the biggest moments.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens-Saints recap: Everything we know about Week 2 loss
