Before the season began, the Ravens’ younger move rushers bestowed a brand new nickname on Justin Houston, the revered veteran getting into his twelfth season. Last 12 months, his first in Baltimore, Houston was Yoda. As coaching camp unfolded, he was Sensei.
On Monday night time, the 33-year-old Houston confirmed a prime-time viewers all of his teachings. In a 27-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, Houston was the very best participant contained in the Caesars Superdome, headlining a season-best night time for a restocked Ravens protection.
He completed with 2 1/2 sacks, turning into the primary participant in franchise historical past with three straight multi-sack video games. After notching a pair of sacks in back-to-back video games in restricted snaps, he entered the “Monday Night Football’ matchup seemingly rejuvenated by the streaking Ravens’ week-and-a-half wait for his or her subsequent recreation, ending with 5 quarterback pressures.
A fourth-quarter interception — Houston’s first since 2018, arrange by defensive lineman Brent Urban — preceded operating again Kenyan Drake’s second dashing landing and bolstered the Ravens’ result in 27-6. New Orleans (3-6) completed with 243 yards total, its fewest of the season.
The Ravens once more leaned on their dashing assault, ending with 40 carries for 188 yards (4.7 per carry) towards one of many NFL’s stouter run defenses. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed 12-for-22 for 133 yards and a landing, doing most of his harm on the bottom (11 carries for 82 yards) with a threadbare receiving corps.
With the win, the Ravens prolonged their profitable streak to a few video games, tied with the Miami Dolphins for the AFC’s longest, and maintained their lead within the AFC North over the Cincinnati Bengals (5-4).
Next comes a long-awaited bye week. The Ravens gained’t play once more till a Nov. 20 matchup towards the reeling Carolina Panthers, their first recreation in Baltimore since Oct. 23. With a delicate second-half slate, the Ravens might be closely favored to advance to the playoffs. The solely staff above .500 they face is Cincinnati, which the Ravens gained’t see till Week 18, the ultimate weekend of the common season.
Ahead of kickoff, the Ravens gave the impression to be outlined as a lot by who was lacking as by who was returning. Jackson was with out 4 prime weapons for the primary time all season. Running backs Gus Edwards (hamstring) was dominated out, and J.Okay. Dobbins (knee) remained sidelined. Tight finish Mark Andrews (knee/shoulder) missed his first recreation due to damage in his profession. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman headed to injured reserve Tuesday with a season-ending Lisfranc (foot) damage.
But the Ravens’ newcomers didn’t want lengthy to make their introductions. Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser, making his first look since tearing his Achilles tendon 10 months in the past within the Ravens’ 2021 season finale, hurried Dalton right into a drive-ending incompletion on the Saints’ opening possession.
On New Orleans’ subsequent drive, inside linebacker Roquan Smith snuffed out a third-and-1 run by operating again Alvin Kamara. Teammates slapped the All-Pro gleefully on his helmet, strutting off the sector with the stalwart the Ravens acquired from the Chicago Bears for a second- and fifth-round draft decide solely per week in the past.
The Ravens’ funding in Smith, a pending free agent, paid off on their subsequent drive. Jackson went 5-for-5 for 67 yards in main the Ravens to an 11-play, 76-yard landing march, capped by a 24-yard landing move to tight finish Isaiah Likely. The rookie, enjoying vital snaps with Andrews sideline, leaked out downfield, uncovered, on an obvious designed quarterback run.
The Ravens’ just-hired assist arrived on offense, too. DeSean Jackson, referred to as up from the apply squad for his 2022 debut, chipped in with a 16-yard catch on the drive, turning into the oldest lively extensive receiver within the NFL to be focused this season. He later left with a hamstring damage.
As the Ravens’ protection stored its clamps on New Orleans, the Saints slowly launched their maintain on Lamar Jackson. He handed Steve Young for fifth place in profession dashing yards by a quarterback with a 16-yard run on third down halfway by way of the second quarter. Later within the drive, Jackson shook off a sort out try behind the road of scrimmage for a 12-yard achieve that acquired the Ravens into the pink zone.
After a 1-yard landing run by Drake, the Ravens, up 14-0, grew to become the third staff up to now 20 seasons to carry a double-digit lead in 9 straight video games to start a season, becoming a member of the 2009 Saints and 2011 Green Bay Packers.
New Orleans ended the half and its shutout with a 33-yard area aim by former Ravens kicker Wil Lutz, however entered halftime with simply 100 yards total. Even the Saints’ lone landing Monday was near a present, with extensive receiver Juwan Johnson scoring late within the fourth quarter on a 41-yard catch-and-run on which cornerback Marcus Peters provided little resistance.
This story might be up to date.
Week 11
Panthers at Ravens
Sunday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m.
TV: Ch. 45
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com