The Baltimore Ravens will return home for their Week 2 opener against a New Orleans Saints team that showed resilience, explosiveness, and several costly flaws in its first game.
New Orleans erased a substantial second-half deficit before suffering a 31-30 overtime loss to Detroit. Quarterback Tyler Shough threw for a career-high 410 yards and three touchdowns, but he also committed three turnovers with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Chris Olave finished with 182 receiving yards as the Saints repeatedly created explosive plays during their comeback. New Orleans Saints
Baltimore’s defense allowed 23 points in Indianapolis but forced two turnovers and limited Daniel Jones to 166 passing yards. New Orleans will present a much different challenge.
Here is a position-by-position look at the Saints before Sunday’s matchup.
Quarterback
Shough enters his second season as New Orleans’ starter after winning the job as a rookie.
The 6-foot-5 quarterback showed his upside against Detroit, completing 35 of 56 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns. He recovered from a poor start to direct multiple scoring drives and force overtime.
The turnovers remain a concern. Baltimore’s secondary intercepted Jones once and forced a Jonathan Taylor fumble in Week 1. Shough must protect the football against a defense that can disguise coverages and bring pressure from multiple levels.
Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson are the backup quarterbacks.
Running back
The Saints list Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara as co-starters, giving coach Kellen Moore two experienced and versatile running backs.
Etienne can handle early-down work and create explosive plays in space. Kamara remains one of the NFL’s most accomplished receiving backs and can line up throughout the formation. Kendre Miller provides power and depth after rushing for a touchdown against Detroit.
Baltimore held Jonathan Taylor to 98 yards on 19 carries, but he scored twice. Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ linebackers must remain disciplined when New Orleans uses its backs as receivers.
Wide receiver
Olave is the centerpiece of the Saints’ passing game and the most dangerous matchup on their roster. His route running, speed, and ability to track the football were evident throughout his 182-yard performance in Detroit.
Devaughn Vele gives Shough a bigger target on the opposite side. He caught a touchdown and produced a 31-yard reception during the opener.
Barion Brown adds speed and return ability, while Bryce Lance provides depth. Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and Baltimore’s secondary will be challenged by a receiving corps that has shown the ability to create plays downfield.
Tight end
Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant give New Orleans two experienced receiving options at tight end. Fant caught an 8-yard touchdown in overtime against Detroit, while Johnson contributed a 27-yard reception in overtime.
Rookie Oscar Delp and Treyton Welch round out the group.
Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks could be vital in coverage against a position that Moore can use to create favorable matchups in the middle of the field.
Offensive line
New Orleans has invested heavily in its offensive line.
Kelvin Banks Jr. starts at left tackle beside veteran left guard David Edwards. Erik McCoy remains the anchor at center, with Cesar Ruiz at right guard and Taliese Fuaga at right tackle.
Banks and Fuaga give the Saints young talent at tackle, while McCoy and Ruiz provide continuity inside. Baltimore generated two sacks against Indianapolis, including eight pressures from Trey Hendrickson and seven from Tavius Robinson.
The Ravens must create pressure without allowing Shough enough time to attack vertically.
Defensive line and edge rushers
New Orleans’ defensive front combines experience with size.
Chase Young and Carl Granderson are listed together on one edge, while longtime Saints standout Cameron Jordan starts on the opposite side. Anfernee Jennings and Tyree Wilson provide depth.
The interior rotation includes Vernon Broughton, Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd, with Khristian Boyd, Christen Miller, Colby Wooden and John Ridgeway III available behind them.
Broughton forced a fumble against Detroit and brings a disruptive young presence inside. The entire group faces a demanding assignment against Derrick Henry, who rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns in Baltimore’s opener.
Linebacker
Pete Werner and former Raven Kaden Elliss lead New Orleans’ linebacker unit.
Werner is an instinctive run defender who recorded a tackle for loss against Detroit. Elliss offers size, physicality, and pass-rushing ability from the second level.
Danny Stutsman, Chris Rumph II and Isaiah Stalbird provide depth and special-teams value. The Saints’ linebackers must account for Henry between the tackles while preventing Lamar Jackson from escaping the pocket.
Secondary
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley are the starting outside cornerbacks. Julian Blackmon and Justin Reid give New Orleans veteran safety experience, while Jonas Sanker provides another defensive-back option in subpackages.
Martin Emerson Jr. and Decamerion Richardson supply cornerback depth, with Jordan Howden and Mike Reid behind the starting safeties.
The Saints allowed Detroit to score 31 points, but Baltimore should not overlook a secondary with several experienced, versatile defenders. New Orleans can vary its coverages while using Reid and Blackmon to disguise intentions before the snap.
Special teams
Daniel Carlson handles field goals and kickoffs, while Ryan Wright punts and serves as the holder. Zach Wood remains the long snapper.
Brown is listed as the primary punt and kickoff returner. His speed creates another concern for a Baltimore coverage unit beginning its first season under special-teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr.
Final analysis
New Orleans may be 0-1, but its comeback against Detroit demonstrated that the offense can generate explosive plays in bunches. The Ravens possess the more complete roster, yet Shough, Olave, and a deep collection of skill players give the Saints enough firepower to make Baltimore pay for coverage mistakes or turnovers.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: First look at the Saints’ roster entering Week 2 against Ravens
