The Baltimore Ravens bent for three quarters without breaking. Their defense finally gave in the fourth, and the offense couldn't answer. New Orleans scored 15 unanswered points during the final period and defeated Baltimore 24-17 in the Ravens’ home opener Sunday. Baltimore carried a 17-9 advantage into the fourth quarter after limiting the Saints to three field goals. Tyler Shough then found Chris Olave for a 21-yard touchdown, and Travis Etienne Jr. ran in the tying two-point conversion after a holding penalty against Jaylinn Hawkins gave New Orleans another opportunity.
The Saints completed the comeback after the Ravens failed to sustain their offense. Lamar Jackson’s late interception ended Baltimore’s final chance. Jackson completed 21
of 31 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran four times for 34 yards but was sacked three times.
Rashod Bateman stepped into a key role without the injured Zay Flowers, catching seven of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Henry rushed 16 times for 68 yards and Baltimore’s other touchdown. The Ravens produced 312 yards but converted only four of nine third downs. One of their most questionable decisions came on third-and-1 with the score tied at 17, when Jackson threw deep for Chris Moore instead of handing the ball to Henry. The pass was incomplete, forcing a punt.
Baltimore’s defense held New Orleans to 65 rushing yards and recorded three sacks, including Trey Hendrickson’s first as a Raven. It could not get off the field consistently, however, allowing the Saints to convert eight of 15 third downs and both fourth-down attempts.
Shough finished 27 of 34 for 252 yards and a touchdown. Olave caught eight passes for 86 yards and the tying score.
The Ravens have now lost 15 games after leading by double digits since Jackson became their full-time starter in 2019, the most such losses in the NFL over that span.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Familiar late-game problems return in Ravens’ home-opening loss
