RDS and the RDS.ca will feature the game between the Ravens and Saints starting at 8:15 p.m. tonight.
The New Orleans Saints’ first season without former head coach Sean Payton isn’t the easiest.
Still, his successor Dennis Allen’s chances of salvaging this campaign rose dramatically last week with a shutout win over the Las Vegas Raiders. This performance was not unlike those offered by the Saints from 2017 to 2020, when they made the playoffs four years in a row.
“Now the goal is to duplicate that,” Allen signaled as the Saints (3-5) tackle a tough challenge tonight against a rested Baltimore Ravens (5-3) who will try to solidify their hold on the top tier of the AFC North Division.
Two games under the .500 mark, but only one game off the top of the NFC South Division, however, the Saints refuse to get carried away despite their dominating performance last week.
“It’s been good because we’ve been true to what we’re capable of, but there’s still a lot to do,” Saints linebacker and captain Demario Davis warned.
The Ravens gave the Saints a helping hand in Week 8 by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Thursday Night game. They have since taken advantage of extra days off to prepare to face the Saints.
“Coming back from a big win against the Raiders, they were dominant. So it’s a great football team,” said head coach John Harbaugh.
The Saints have struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this season, however. They narrowly won in Atlanta, where Marcus Mariota’s legs made it difficult for them. They also tasted the medicine of Kyler Murray in a setback in Arizona.
And here comes Lamar Jackson, who leads the Ravens with 553 yards and two rushing touchdowns, including a 79-yard one.
“We don’t play other quarterbacks who run like Lamar. It’s hard to face him,” admitted defensive end Cameron Jordan.
Jackson also had 1,635 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air to six interceptions, but he’ll have to do without explosive receiver Rashod Bateman, who was placed on the disabled list Thursday.
Saints quarterback Andy Dalton isn’t known for his tendency to run, but he distributes the ball quickly and efficiently, especially to star running back Alvin Kamara. The Saints’ offense has averaged more than 400 yards per game through Dalton’s five starts.
