Nobody in the Ravens’ locker room is going to dress up a home loss as anything other than a missed opportunity. Baltimore had chances against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and let too many of them slip, leaving Week 2 with a disappointing result, a 1-1 record, and a trip to Brazil on deck next week.
But the final score didn’t wipe out every encouraging sign. Even in defeat, Baltimore got a clearer look at its receiver depth without Zay Flowers, saw its pass rush keep building, and watched a few players give the kind of performance that hints at more to come.
The receiver room answered some questions without Flowers
There were real concerns about this group, and for good reason. Flowers changes the shape of the offense. Without him, Baltimore needed other pass catchers to step forward, and a few did.
Rashod Bateman led the way with seven catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Devontez Walker made the most of his lone grab, turning it into 47 yards. LaJohntay Wester was targeted twice, caught one pass for 14 yards, and Chris Moore added a little bit of everything: four kickoff returns for 108 yards and a six-yard reception.
The Ravens would obviously rather have Flowers in the lineup. Still, Sunday gave them something useful - proof that there are other receivers who can help when called upon.
The pass rush is starting to stack up
A week ago, the issue was Baltimore’s inability to finish pressure. That conversation looks different now.
Mike Green got his first sack of the season. Tavius Robinson added another, giving him two. Trey Hendrickson also recorded his first sack as a Raven.
What stands out isn’t just the sack total. It’s the mix of names.
Baltimore isn’t leaning on one edge rusher to do all the work. Multiple players are beginning to show up in the backfield, which is exactly what the Ravens had in mind when they put this group together.
There’s still room for more, but the direction is encouraging.
Derrick Henry’s quiet day probably won’t last
For most backs, 68 yards on 16 carries would be a solid afternoon. For Derrick Henry, it reads as subdued.
That says more about Henry’s usual standard than it does about the game itself. The Saints clearly made slowing him down a priority, and Baltimore’s offensive line had trouble throughout the day, especially after Ronnie Stanley left with a toe injury.
Even with that, Henry still found nearly 70 rushing yards. It’s not the kind of outing Ravens fans need to panic over. History says bigger days are coming.
Baltimore still had a shot at the end
Maybe that was the most important takeaway of all. The Ravens weren’t at their best.
They were without Flowers. Stanley exited.
Henry didn’t produce one of his usual hammering performances. The offense managed only three points after halftime and was shut out in the fourth quarter.
And yet, Baltimore still had a chance to win late.
That doesn’t soften the loss or erase the mistakes, but it does put the day in context. The Ravens were far from sharp and still found themselves one possession away from pulling it out.
There’s plenty to clean up before next week’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Still, Sunday also served as a reminder that this roster has depth and talent worth trusting.
The Ravens wanted a win and didn’t get one. What they did get was a few more reasons to believe there’s more in this team than the final score showed.
In Other News...
Saints Home Opener Comes With A Revenge Twist Fans Will Feel
After opening the 2026 season with two straight road games, the Saints finally get to return to New Orleans in Week 3, and the matchup brings a little extra edge with it. Their first home game comes against the Las Vegas Raiders, a team now led by former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, which gives the Superdome crowd a built-in storyline before the first snap.
The Saints arrive there with some momentum after a 24-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens, a game in which Tyler Shough threw for 252 yards and delivered the go-ahead touchdown. FanDuel has New Orleans favored by 3 points, but this one feels like more than just an early-season measuring stick, especially with a familiar face on the opposite sideline and plenty of Saints fans eager to make the home opener matter. [Read more 🡒]
Kellen Moore Sent A Clear Message After The Saints' Comeback Win
Kellen Moore had plenty to point to after the Saints pulled out a 24-17 comeback win over the Ravens, and he made sure to emphasize the kind of response New Orleans showed after halftime. The first-year head coach praised the way his team stayed prepared, competitive and willing to keep pressing for openings as the game tightened up, a tone that fit a victory built on composure as much as execution.
Moore also framed the game-changing decision to go for a two-point conversion as part of that same mindset, a willingness to seize chances instead of playing it safe. For a Saints team trying to establish its identity under a new coach, wins like this can matter beyond the standings, because they say something about how the group wants to play when the pressure is on and the margin is thin. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Have A Left Tackle Problem They Can't Yet Explain
Kelvin Banks Jr.s ankle injury gave the Saints an unwelcome reminder of how quickly one spot on the offensive line can change the feel of a game. The second-year left tackle went down against the Ravens and was ruled out, leaving New Orleans to turn to its backups while the team waits for more clarity on what comes next.
Kellen Moore did not have much to offer afterward beyond saying Banks will need further evaluation, which leaves the Saints with more questions than answers for now. Left tackle is one of those positions where depth matters immediately, and New Orleans will spend the next stretch trying to figure out how long it has to manage without one of its key young linemen. [Read more 🡒]