The Baltimore Ravens return home for week two as they welcome the New Orleans Saints to town. It will be a big day on Sunday not only because it will the the Ravens regular season home opener, but it will also mark the first home regular season game for head coach Jesse Minter. Minter and company got off to a hot start last week as the Ravens dismantled Indianapolis by a final of 41-23 in week one. Last week couldn’t have been a better start to Minter’s head coaching career and he will look to continue it into Sunday as the Ravens look to move to 2-0 for the 10th time in franchise history and the for the first time since 2023. The Saints come to Baltimore off a tough overtime loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions, and will look to avoid going 0-2 for the second straight season.
The Baltimore Ravens will be without one of its major stars as wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) has been officially ruled out. Flowers had a career high 150 receiving yards last week in just one half of football, before being removed from the game due to his injured hamstring. Cornerback T.J. Tampa (knee) who was also injured in week one has been ruled out. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and linebacker Teddy Buchanan (knee) have also been ruled out as they continue to work back from last years season ending injuries. Outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger), guard John Simpson (groin), and left tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe) are also listed as questionable after being limited in Fridays practice.
For the Saints linebacker Isaiah Stalbird (shoulder) is listed as doubtful, while edge rusher Chase Young (calf) and defensive lineman Christen Miller (toe), who both popped up on the injury report late in the week, are currently listed as questionable. The Saints are also dealing with an injury to their star wide receiver, as Chris Olave (hamstring) was injured in Thursdays practice and was limited on Friday. Reports state that Olave traveled with the team to Baltimore, and is listed as questionable.
Players to Watch:
Trenton Simpson
With linebacker Teddy Buchanan out at least another week, that will give the start once again to Trenton Simpson. Simpson has been a serviceable player for this Ravens defense, but mostly in a reserve role after losing his job to Buchanan last year. Simpson had a strong day last Sunday totaling 4 tackles including two tackles for loss on the way to helping the Ravens hold Indianapolis to just over 100 yards rushing.
Simpson will be key in helping shut down this Saints offense, as he will need to step up in the passing game. The Saints will without a doubt look to get Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara involved in the passing game more so then in the run game, so it will be how Simpson holds up that could be the difference in the game. Simpson has struggled in pass coverage in the past, but with Buchanan likely a week away from retuning a strong performance in all phases by Simpson could give Minter plenty of options at linebacker opposite of Roquan Smith once Buchanan does return.
Travis Etienne Jr.
One of the newest member to the New Orleans Saints is running back Travis Etienne Jr. The 27-year old came over to the Saints in the offseason after spending the last four season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was an average kind of day for Etienne Jr. last week as he rushed nine times for 46 yards, while also brining in seven receptions for 32 yards.
Despite it only being week one, Etienne Jr’s production has to be a cause for concern, with the season debut of fellow running back Alvin Kamara expected on Sunday. Both running backs are listed a starters, and the idea has mostly been that both Kamara and Etienne Jr. will share carries. Etienne Jr. should get a bulk of the carries though at least the Sunday, and this Ravens defense will need to make sure it’s another long day for Saints rushing offense, and not give any much needed confidence to Etienne Jr.
Prediction
The Ravens were firing on all cylinders last week, and despite their star wide receiver in Zay Flowers being ruled out I expect quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry to should the load much like the did in the second half last week against Indianapolis. The Saints started slow against the Lions last week, and played catch up for the entirety of of the game playing nearly the entire 10 minute overtime. The Saints struggled defensively stopping the run giving up 165 rushing yards to the Lions, the fifth most allowed last week.
It should be that kind of game for the Ravens as they will be thin at the wide receiver with a lot of unknown as to who will be the guy to step up, in the absence of Flowers. As for the Ravens defense, Jesse Minter will look to make it a long day for Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. Shough thew for a league high 410 yards, largely do to the Saints being down for much of the game. But despite the curcumstances for the Saints last week, the Ravens defense will need to slow down the Saints offense along with wide receiver Chris Olave, should he be active Sunday. The Saints run game is not something too fear, and I think based on how this new look Ravens defense and how they played against a better offense in all areas last week, along with the Saints inability to slow down the Ravens on the ground it should be smooth sailing once again. Ravens win to start 2-0 by a final of 37-13
Line: Baltimore -8.5
Over/Under: 45.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 6-2
Last Meeting: 11/7/22 Baltimore 27-13
