Baltimore’s home opener featured two offenses that showed significant scoring potential in Week 1. The Ravens accumulated 506 yards and scored 41 points against Indianapolis. New Orleans answered an early 21-point deficit by forcing overtime, thanks to Tyler Shough’s 410 passing yards.
Here are five Ravens whose performances could determine Sunday’s outcome.
1. Lamar Jackson
Jackson completed 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown against Indianapolis. He added 43 rushing yards and another score while producing his highest single-game passing total since October 2024.
New Orleans must account for Jackson on every snap, but Baltimore’s quarterback must remain patient against a defense featuring experienced safeties and multiple edge rushers.
2. Derrick Henry
Henry opened
the season with 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. New Orleans allowed Detroit to rush for 165 yards and average 5 yards per attempt during its overtime loss.
Baltimore can control possession and keep Shough on the sideline by feeding Henry. His ability to punish New Orleans between the tackles could eventually force the Saints to bring additional defenders into the box.
3. Nate Wiggins
Wiggins allowed no receptions on two targets across 34 coverage snaps in Week 1. His next assignment is much tougher.
Chris Olave caught 10 passes for 182 yards against Detroit. The Saints will move him around the formation, but Wiggins should see enough of Olave to affect New Orleans’ passing plan.
4. Trey Hendrickson
Hendrickson generated eight pressures against Indianapolis, all against left tackle Bernhard Raimann. Baltimore’s pressure rate fell significantly whenever he left the field.
His finger injury kept him out of Wednesday’s practice, making his availability worth monitoring. If active, his matchup against Kelvin Banks Jr. provides Baltimore with its clearest route to disrupting Shough.
5. Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton’s versatility will be essential against a New Orleans passing attack that produced 410 yards in Week 1.
The Saints can create difficult assignments with Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, and running backs Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. Hamilton gives Baltimore an answer at several levels of the defense because he can cover tight ends, defend the run, pressure Tyler Shough, or rotate into deeper coverage.
His ability to disguise Baltimore’s intentions could be especially important against Shough. The Saints quarterback threw three touchdown passes against Detroit but also committed three turnovers and took five sacks.
Final analysis/Injury update
With Zay Flowers missing his second consecutive practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury, Baltimore may exercise caution with its top receiver. That makes Hamilton the better choice for this list because his availability and multidimensional role could directly affect how successfully the Ravens contain New Orleans’ explosive passing game.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Saints: 5 Baltimore players who could determine the outcome
