The Baltimore Ravens overcame a slow offensive start to take a 14-3 lead over the New Orleans Saints into halftime Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore went three-and-out on its opening possession but finished the half with 228 yards and 13 first downs.
Lamar Jackson completed 13 of 16 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown. He connected with Rashod Bateman for a 22-yard score with 24 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Bateman, Baltimore’s top receiver with Zay Flowers sidelined, caught three passes for 50 yards. Derrick Henry powered Baltimore’s first scoring drive. He accounted for 45 of the possession’s 76 yards and touched the ball on its final five plays. Henry finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown from the Wildcat formation
and had 51 yards on 11 carries during the half.
Devontez Walker also provided an explosive play with a career-long 47-yard reception. That possession ended without points after Carl Granderson got a hand on Tyler Loop’s 49-yard field-goal attempt. Baltimore’s defense kept New Orleans out of the end zone despite the Saints converting four of seven third downs. Tavius Robinson ended New Orleans’ opening series with a sack and now has two this season.
Rookie cornerback Chandler Rivers also made an early impact in his NFL debut. Rivers recorded two tackles, including a 4-yard loss against Alvin Kamara.
The Saints produced a 12-play, 56-yard drive late in the second quarter but settled for a 23-yard field goal. Baltimore outgained New Orleans 228-137 while holding a narrow 15:06-14:54 possession advantage.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens lead Saints 14-3 at halftime: Takeaways from Week 2
