The experts are leaning hard toward Baltimore in Week 2, and it’s not particularly close.
After the Ravens opened the Jesse Minter era with a 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts, national and local pickers have lined up behind them for Sunday’s meeting with the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium. New Orleans comes in at 0-1 after storming back from a 21-point hole before falling to the Detroit Lions in overtime, but that rally - along with Tyler Shough’s 410-yard day and Baltimore’s injuries at wide receiver - hasn’t been enough to swing most of the panel.
ESPN’s 11 analysts all took the Ravens, and NFL.com was just as decisive, with its five-person panel unanimously backing Baltimore. Sports Illustrated matched that level of confidence, with all eight of its analysts picking the Ravens.
The Baltimore Banner also went cleanly with Baltimore. Jonas Shaffer projected a 24-13 Ravens win, Giana Han had Baltimore 38-21, Childs Walker picked a 30-23 final, Kyle Goon went with 38-17, and Brandon Weigel predicted 27-14.
USA TODAY’s six experts all landed on Baltimore as well. Jarrett Bell picked the Ravens 24-17, Nick Brinkerhoff had 30-20, Chris Bumbaca went with Baltimore 24-20, Nate Davis predicted 30-23, Adam Kaufman selected 34-24, and Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz picked 31-20.
NFL Network was the first place where the Saints found any traction, but only a little. Seven of the eight analysts still chose Baltimore, including Vinnie Iyer, who picked the Ravens 35-17.
Iyer said Baltimore has more energy under Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and pointed to the mix of an active pass defense, dominant running game and explosive passing attack as too much for New Orleans to handle. His 18-point margin was among the biggest in the roundup.
CBS Sports also split its outlook between straight-up and against the spread. Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin both picked Baltimore to win, but each took the Saints with the points. Pete Prisco was more comfortable with the Ravens, forecasting a 33-20 win.
Bleacher Report was the least convinced Baltimore would cover the 8.5-point spread. Five of its seven analysts took New Orleans plus the points, with only Wes O’Donnell and Brent Sobleski backing the Ravens to cover.
In Other News...
Saints Defense Has A Brandon Staley Twist Fans Need To Watch
The Saints leaned into a more unconventional defensive look against the Lions, and it was easy to see Brandon Staleys influence in the way the rotation was handled. Instead of sticking rigidly with the usual personnel, New Orleans mixed in cornerback Martin Emerson for starter Quincy Riley and gave linebacker Danny Stutsman turns in place of Pete Werner, a reminder that this staff is willing to use game action as a development tool, not just a reward for the established names.
For Kellen Moore and Staley, the idea is straightforward: build depth now so the defense has more answers later. Emersons return was especially notable because it was his first game action since 2024 after recovering from a torn Achilles, and the Saints clearly wanted to ease him back while also getting a closer look at what he can handle. How far that rotation expands from here will be worth watching, because it could say a lot about how this defense is being shaped beyond the current week. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Have A Week 2 Concern Fans Cant Ignore
The Saints got a little healthier on the margins this week, with tight end Juwan Johnson back as a limited participant after missing time, and running back Alvin Kamara still trending toward a return after working his way back from an MCL sprain. Even so, the injury report carried more than a little attention for New Orleans, because wide receiver Chris Olave showed up limited with a hamstring issue and pass rusher Chase Young was listed the same way with a calf concern.
For a team trying to steady itself early in the season, those are the names worth watching most closely. The Saints have enough moving parts already, and any limitation for Olave affects the passing game, while Youngs status matters to a defense that wants pressure without having to manufacture it. The Ravens had their own lengthy list of non-participants, but for New Orleans the bigger question is whether two key starters can get through the week without this becoming something more than a routine September injury note. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Just Sent A Strong Signal About A Rookie Running Back
The Saints made a notable roster move this week by promoting rookie running back CJ Donaldson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, a clear sign that the undrafted Ohio State back has quickly earned their attention. His path to the active roster came as the team needed a replacement for long snapper Zach Wood, who was placed on injured reserve, creating an opening New Orleans used to elevate a young back rather than simply shuffle depth at another position.
Scott Daly was signed to the practice squad to handle the long-snapping duties, which frees the Saints to keep Donaldson in the building with a more prominent role. For a rookie who arrived without draft-day fanfare, the move at least suggests the team sees enough in him to keep him close as they sort out the backfield and decide how much responsibility he can handle going forward. [Read more 🡒]