The Ravens stormed from behind to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a brief Week 8, stacking back-to-back wins for the primary time all yr. The New Orleans Saints shut out the Las Vegas Raiders of their finest all-around efficiency of the season. Which staff will maintain the benefit after they match up on “Monday Night Football”?
Ravens passing recreation vs. Saints cross protection
Lamar Jackson is working with a depleted set of targets after No. 1 extensive receiver Rashod Bateman aggravated his foot damage within the win over the Buccaneers and opted for season-ending surgical procedure. Jackson’s high goal, tight finish Mark Andrews (42 catches, 488 yards, 5 touchdowns), additionally suffered a shoulder damage that knocked him out of that recreation, however he’s extra prone to be prepared for the Saints. Wide receiver Devin Duvernay (24 catches on 32 targets, 313 yards, three touchdowns) is Jackson’s most suitable choice behind Bateman and Andrews, however Demarcus Robinson additionally stepped ahead in opposition to the Buccaneers with six catches on eight targets for 64 yards. Rookie tight finish Isaiah Likely, in the meantime, crammed Andrews’ sneakers with the very best recreation of his profession (six catches on seven targets, 77 yards), making good on the appreciable promise he confirmed in preseason. Jackson made it work in opposition to Tampa Bay, avoiding errors and finishing all eight of his passes within the second half. He ranks fifth in ESPN’s QBR statistic measuring all-around quarterback play. He has additionally benefited from sturdy cross blocking, with left deal with Ronnie Stanley returning to kind after he misplaced virtually two years to an ankle damage.
The Ravens will tackle an above-average cross protection that stifled the Raiders’ Derek Carr (15-for-26, 101 yards, interception) in Week 8. The Saints rank thirtieth in blitz price and twenty seventh in pressures per drop-back, in order that they don’t succeed by destroying the pocket. They don’t pressure many turnovers. Their cornerbacks grade common at finest, in response to Pro Football Focus. So how are they doing it? Well, they’ve an elite playmaker in security Tyrann Mathieu and a terrific all-around linebacker in Demario Davis. They cowl tight ends higher than any protection within the league, in response to Football Outsiders. They excel on third down and within the pink zone. Joe Burrow in Week 6 was the one quarterback to go off on them this season.
EDGE: Saints
Saints passing recreation vs. Ravens cross protection
Per week after they beat Tom Brady, the Ravens will encounter one other previous pal in former AFC North nemesis Andy Dalton, who has performed effectively since stepping in for Jameis Winston in Week 4. Dalton has accomplished 65.2% of his passes with 9 touchdowns in opposition to 4 interceptions. He might be with out star extensive receiver Michael Thomas (foot) in opposition to the Ravens, however he has loads of different dynamic targets, led by standout rookie Chris Olave (37 catches on 63 targets, 547 yards, two touchdowns) and versatile working again Alvin Kamara (33 catches on 45 targets, 287 yards, two touchdowns). Kamara is of particular concern to a Ravens protection that has finished higher overlaying extensive receivers than it has tackling harmful runners after quick catches. Dalton has taken simply 4 sacks in 5 begins, partly as a result of he removes the ball rapidly and partly due to strong work from tackles Ryan Ramczyk and James Hurst, a former Raven.
The Ravens rank twenty second in blitz price and twenty sixth in pressures per drop-back, however they’re tied for fifth with 23 sacks, an indication that their cross rushers are ending performs when possibilities come up. Outside linebacker Justin Houston produced 4 sacks during the last two video games regardless of taking part in restricted snaps as he recovered from a groin damage. Justin Madubuike, Calais Campbell and Broderick Washington have produced inside stress, whereas linebacker Patrick Queen, tied for second on the staff with 3 1/2 sacks, is a hazard each time he blitzes. Trade addition Roquan Smith may be a selective menace as a cross rusher, and the Ravens will profit from the return of outdoor linebacker Tyus Bowser, who’s as efficient in protection as he’s chasing the quarterback. Their best vulnerability is lack of depth at cornerback, the place neither Damarion “Pepe” Williams nor Brandon Stephens has established himself as a constant complement to starters Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey.
EDGE: Even
Ravens working recreation vs. Saints run protection
The Ravens destroyed the Buccaneers on the bottom with 204 dashing yards within the second half alone. They hope Gus Edwards (hamstring) might be out there in opposition to the Saints, as a result of his energy has given them a brand new dimension, particularly in clutch, short-yardage conditions. Justice Hill and Kenyan Drake had been environment friendly in opposition to Tampa Bay, combining for 90 yards on 11 carries. They took benefit of a extra cellular offensive line, led by middle Tyler Linderbaum and tackles Stanley and Morgan Moses, to stretch the sphere horizontally. Jackson stays the weapon no protection can account for, main the staff with 553 dashing yards on 7.4 yards per carry. The Ravens common a league-best 5.7 yards per carry total.
The Saints aren’t pretty much as good in opposition to the run as in opposition to the cross, however they did maintain the Raiders and Josh Jacobs to 38 dashing yards. They haven’t performed as effectively in opposition to groups with working threats at quarterback, together with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals. The Saints shouldn’t have a dominant inside playmaker, however Davis, their every-down linebacker, is great, and their edge defenders have performed effectively in opposition to the run.
EDGE: Ravens
Saints working recreation vs. Ravens run protection
The Saints aren’t as harmful because the Ravens on the bottom, however they common 5 yards per carry, seventh finest within the league. Kamara (413 yards) is their most prolific runner. Sort-of-quarterback Taysom Hill (8.6 yards per carry, 5 touchdowns) is their most harmful weapon, as a result of defenses by no means know the place he’s going to line up. Sometimes, he’s a decent finish. Sometimes, he’s a working again. Sometimes, he takes snaps as a wildcat quarterback. Always, Hill’s mixture of energy and velocity presents issues, and the Saints will check the sides of the Baltimore protection.
The Ravens have shored up their run protection in current weeks and hope the addition of Smith, who led the league in tackles for the Chicago Bears, will spherical out the image. Queen is having his finest season, however Smith is a extra constant playmaker within the center. Though we would not see his full influence till after the Ravens’ Week 10 bye, he might be helpful in opposition to Hill. On the inside, the Ravens count on to have Campbell again after he missed the Buccaneers recreation with an sickness.
EDGE: Saints
Ravens particular groups vs. Saints particular groups
The Ravens proceed to lap the sphere in particular groups DVOA, in response to Football Outsiders. Justin Tucker had a 61-yard subject aim try blocked in opposition to the Buccaneers; in any other case, he’s made 16 of 17 makes an attempt, together with 5 from past 50 yards. Punter Jordan Stout performed his finest recreation as a professional. Duvernay is the league’s finest returner, averaging 15.1 yards on punts and 31.9 yards on kickoffs. Kicker Wil Lutz, a former Raven, has struggled for the Saints, making simply 12 of 17 subject aim makes an attempt, with 4 of his misses coming inside 50 yards. New Orleans has not excelled in any side of particular groups, rating thirtieth in DVOA.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Saints intangibles
The Ravens emerged from their comeback win over the Buccaneers with an earned sense of optimism and added to it with their commerce for Smith, among the best gamers available on the market. With each different staff within the AFC North at .500 or under, they know that is their time to construct a bonus. They had an additional three days to arrange for the Saints, which can not damage.
New Orleans began a disappointing 2-5 below coach Dennis Allen, who went 8-28 throughout his earlier head teaching stint with the Raiders. But they put themselves proper again within the NFC South combine with their shutout of the Raiders, and their offense has began to click on with Dalton rather than Winston.
EDGE: Ravens
Prediction
With a strong protection, an unorthodox working recreation and several other big-play threats, the Saints aren’t your run-of-the-mill 3-5 opponent. But the Ravens will transfer the ball on the bottom, and their huge benefit on particular groups might come into play. They will batter their approach to one other victory of their midseason tour of the mediocre NFC South. Ravens 27, Saints 20
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com