The Baltimore Ravens couldn't have asked for a much better start to the Jesse Minter era. Baltimore scored 41 points, piled up 506 yards, and pulled away from the Indianapolis Colts in a 41-23 victory that offered plenty of reasons for optimism. Now comes the less glamorous part of opening the season with a win: making sure the momentum doesn't turn into complacency.
When the New Orleans Saints arrive at M&T Bank Stadium, they'll be looking for their first victory of the season. Their 31-30 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions shouldn't obscure what happened during the second half. New Orleans erased a 21-point deficit, scored 30 points after halftime, and forced overtime before falling to take the lead for good on a failed two-point conversion.
The Saints also showed that their offense has enough firepower to create problems for any defense that isn't disciplined. Tyler Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns, Chris Olave exploded for 182 receiving yards, and Travis Etienne Jr. contributed as both a runner and receiver.
On defense, New Orleans had several players make an impact, though they ultimately gave up 31 points. If the Ravens want to protect their home opener and move to 2-0, these are six Saints players who deserve plenty of attention.
Tyler Shough, quarterback
Tyler Shough's Week 1 stat line is difficult to ignore. He completed 35 of 56 passes for the aforementioned 410 yards and three touchdowns. He became only the third quarterback in Saints history to throw for at least 400 yards in a game.
He also threw for 325 yards in the second half and overtime, showing how dramatically the game changed after Detroit built its early lead. There is an important caveat for Baltimore's defense: Shough also threw two interceptions and was sacked five times.
The Ravens should have opportunities to pressure him, particularly if they can force New Orleans into obvious passing situations. The bigger challenge will be preventing the Saints quarterback from settling into a rhythm. If Baltimore allows Shough to operate comfortably and consistently find Olave and the rest of his receiving options, the Saints have already shown they can put together a lot of offense in a hurry.
Travis Etienne Jr., running back
Travis Etienne didn't overwhelm Detroit as a traditional runner, but that isn't really the point. He carried nine times for 46 yards and added seven receptions for 32 yards, giving him 78 total yards from scrimmage and a career-high seven catches.
That versatility matters against Baltimore because the Ravens can't simply identify Etienne as a rushing threat and move on. He can be used underneath, in space, and as an outlet for Shough when pressure arrives.
If New Orleans can get the ball to Etienne while keeping Baltimore's linebackers and safeties moving horizontally, the Saints can create easier throws and open up opportunities elsewhere. Containing him is as much about controlling the passing game as it is about stopping the run.
Chris Olave, wide receiver
Chris Olave doesn't need much introduction after what happened in Detroit. He caught 10 passes for a career-high 182 yards, including a 47-yard reception. He tied his career high for catches. His performance was one of the biggest reasons the Saints climbed back into the game. He enters Week 2 as the NFL's leading receiver.
The Ravens will have to decide how aggressively to account for him without letting the rest of the Saints' passing game benefit. Olave's ability to win downfield pressures the secondary, but his effectiveness also gives Shough a reliable answer when a play breaks down.
Baltimore's defense looked capable of creating turnovers and limiting Indianapolis' offense in Week 1. The next challenge is making sure Olave doesn't become the player who keeps New Orleans' drives alive.
Kaden Elliss, linebacker
Kaden Elliss quietly gives the Saints one of their most important defensive pieces. He played every defensive snap against Detroit and finished with nine tackles, including three solo stops and six assists. He also broke up a pass.
The Ravens' offense creates a difficult assignment for linebackers because Lamar Jackson forces defenses to account for him as a runner while Derrick Henry demands attention in the backfield. Elliss has the athleticism to contribute against the run while also handling coverage responsibilities, which makes his role particularly important against Baltimore.
He may not be the player who generates the most headlines Sunday. Still, his ability to diagnose plays and stay disciplined could determine whether the Ravens consistently create favorable situations.
Carl Granderson, edge rusher
Chase Young understandably commands attention. The former No. 2 overall pick had a sack overturned in Week 1 after review, but he ultimately didn't finish with a sack in the Saints' official statistics. Carl Granderson, meanwhile, recorded New Orleans' only sack of the game while playing 59 defensive snaps.
That makes Granderson an interesting player to watch against Baltimore's offensive line. The Ravens don't need to spend the entire afternoon worrying about one pass rusher. Still, they also can't allow Granderson to consistently collapse the pocket and force Jackson to create something outside the structure of the offense. Keeping the Saints' edge rushers from turning obvious passing situations into third-and-long nightmares will be important for Baltimore.
Jonas Sanker, safety
Jonas Sanker was all over the field in the Saints' opener, leading the team with ten tackles, including seven solo stops. He also recorded a tackle for loss. After producing 80 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions in 2025, Sanker enters his third season as an important part of New Orleans' secondary.
His role could become particularly interesting against Baltimore because the Ravens' offense creates problems for defensive backs who have to make decisions quickly. Sanker has already shown a willingness to play downhill, but Baltimore will try to make him pay if he becomes too aggressive.
Lamar Jackson's ability to extend plays and Baltimore's commitment to the running game can create opportunities for tight ends and receivers behind an overcommitting safety. Still, the Ravens will want to make sure those tackles aren't preventing explosive plays.
Final thought
The Saints' Week 1 loss should make the Ravens more attentive, not less. New Orleans gave up a 21-point lead before rallying behind Shough and Olave, ultimately turning what looked like a comfortable Detroit victory into an overtime game. The Saints finished with 469 yards of offense, including 410 through the air, so Baltimore's defense will have to remain engaged for four quarters.
That emphasizes discipline more than star power. Olave is the obvious player Baltimore must account for, while Shough's arm gives the Saints a way to exploit mistakes. Etienne can create problems in multiple phases, and players like Elliss, Granderson, and Sanker can make life harder for an offense that wants to stay ahead of the chains. The Ravens don't need to make every Saints player disappear. They need to prevent enough of them from becoming the reason New Orleans stays in the game.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Saints: 6 New Orleans players Baltimore must contain in Week 2
