NEW ORLEANS — Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens didn’t want their full complement of key contributors to stifle the Saints and silence the Superdome.
Kenyan Drake rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns, Justin Houston had an interception to go together with his third straight multiple-sack sport, and the Ravens beat New Orleans 27-13 on Monday evening.
Jackson handed for a landing and annoyed New Orleans (3-6) together with his mobility, dashing for 82 yards and exhibiting an array of soar cuts and spin strikes whereas serving to Baltimore (6-3) win its third straight and stay atop the AFC North, one sport forward of Cincinnati.
“The human will can solely take a lot. It was simply pounding down in and down out,” Drake mentioned. “That’s simply what this staff is all about — simply persevering with to put on groups down and grind them out with 4 quarters of soccer.
“In case you can stand as much as that, extra energy to you, however extra instances than not we’re going to win that battle,” Drake mentioned.
The Saints entered the sport with an opportunity to tug right into a three-way tie atop the anemic NFC South with Atlanta and Tampa Bay. As a substitute, they had been outclassed by a Baltimore staff lacking a number of offensive starters, together with tight finish Mark Andrews and working again Gus Edwards.
The Ravens transformed 9 of 15 third downs and had 319 whole yards. The Saints had been 3 of 11 on third down and completed with a season lows of 243 yards and 13 first downs. Baltimore possessed the ball for 37:47.
“They beat us in a number of totally different areas,” Saints coach Dennis Allen mentioned. “Time of possession is an element of all phases of the sport. And so we didn't do a great job on third down in both facet, offensively or defensively.”
Andy Dalton handed for 210 yards and New Orleans’ lone landing to tight finish Juwan Johnson, which got here in when the sport was nearly out of attain within the fourth quarter. Alvin Kamara was restricted to 62 yards from scrimmage, his lowest output in 5 video games.
“We bought simply bought beat,” Dalton mentioned, including that Baltimore “deserved to win this one. They bought after us.”
Dalton was sacked 4 instances and his interception got here on a move tipped by Brent City. The play arrange Drake’s second TD.
Baltimore’s protection was stifling on New Orleans’ first 4 possessions, limiting the Saints to 13 mixed performs.
Consequently, the stamina of New Orleans’ protection was examined because the unit contended with the elusive Jackson for 19:31 of the primary half. Baltimore’s star QB didn’t let that point go to waste.
“Historically you cowl for 3 to 4 seconds and the play is over,” Saints security Tyrann Matheiu mentioned. “However a man like that could be a 7-, 8-, 9-second cowl.”
Whereas rolling proper, Jackson discovered tight finish Isaiah Probably working a flag sample for a 24-yard rating to make it 7-0 within the first quarter.
Within the second quarter, Jackson orchestrated a 12-play, 81-yard drive throughout which he ran for positive factors of seven, 16 and 12 yards. Drake capped it off by working into the top zone nearly untouched from a yard out for a 14-0 lead.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh recalled shaking his head on the sideline in awe of Jackson’s shows of explosiveness and agility.
“I don't take it with no consideration,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I feel I mentioned, ‘Wow,’ a few instances. Lamar performs on a unique degree. You may’t simply take a look at the passing stats.”
The Saints didn't get on the board till Wil Lutz’s discipline aim as time expired within the half — a pair performs after Dalton overthrew open receiver Marquez Callaway in the long run zone.
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