Week 8 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 35, New Orleans Saints 22

What you need to know

Baltimore Ravens

Head coach Brian Billick is now calling the plays for the Baltimore offense. He leaned heavily on RB Jamal Lewis. Lewis posted a season high in carries (31) and rushing yards (109). The Ravens ability to keep the Saints’ pass rush honest with a respectable rushing attack allowed QB Steve McNair to make plays with the pass. Further, McNair showed no signs of the concussion that put him on the sidelines, nor did he shy away from contact when he scrambled out of the pocket.

WR Derrick Mason appeared to return to his role as the primary receiving threat in the Raven attack. Mason led the Ravens with seven passing targets, but QB Steve McNair leaned on his taller options near the goal line hitting WR Clarence Moore and TE Todd Heap with short touchdown passes.

Baltimore controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. They shut down the Saint duo of Bush and McAllister on defense. They opened up enough holes for RB Jamal Lewis to control the flow of the game keeping the Saints offense on the sidelines. Also, the Baltimore offense line protected QB Steve McNair very well allowing him to survey the field and find open receivers.

New Orleans Saints

QB Drew Brees rebounded to post 383 passing yards and three touchdowns, but those numbers weren’t indicative of the reality. The Saints’ offense was dominated in every aspect of the game and Brees was the beneficiary of abundant garbage time stats including 261 passing yards and two touchdowns in the second half after the lead grew to 28 points.

RB Reggie Bush was responsible for two early turnovers and looked somewhat lost through most of the game. He wasn’t able to break any long plays once in the open field and struggled to pick up the blitz as a pass blocker when the Saints were forced to throw late in the game. RB Deuce McAllister wasn’t a significant factor in any aspect of the game.

WR Marques Colston was also a beneficiary of the late garbage points. He generated 86 receiving yards and pulled in two long touchdowns in the fourth quarter when the game over was over for all intents and purposes. However, he continues to get more targets than veteran WR Joe Horn. Colston has led New Orleans in wide receiver targets in four of their seven games with a 4-2-1 edge in comparison to Horn.

What you ought to know

QB Steve McNair, Pass: 17 - 23 - 159 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 5 - 23 - 1

McNair was sharp and efficient managing the short passing game. He capped the second Ravens’ drive off with a quarterback draw straight up the gut for a five yard touchdown. On the previous play he nearly threw an interception. The pass was high and behind WR Derrick Mason on the goal line. The ball was tipped up into the air, but fell to the ground. This was easily his worst play on a nearly flawless day. His first touchdown pass was to WR Clarence Moore on a quick slant. He put the ball up high for Moore so he could utilize his height advantage. McNair nearly was responsible for a turnover on their next possession, but the tuck rule came into play and instant replay saved the Ravens from suffering a turnover. McNair’s second touchdown pass just before halftime went to TE Todd Heap. The pass could be labeled as questionable as it went through the hands of two defenders, but it got to Heap in the back of the end zone for the score. Lastly, McNair showed no fear of breaking away from the pocket and seeking out the sticks trying to pick up first downs.

RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 31 - 109 - 0

Lewis looked strong breaking tackles at or near the line of scrimmage fighting for positive yards. Lewis still seems to lack the burst to break the long runs, but there was a noticeable improvement in his pad level this week when initiating contact. Further, he showed the patience to wait for holes to open when appropriate. Even after Lewis fumbled early in the game head coach Brian Billick continued to force-feed the ball to Lewis showing supreme confidence in him to get the job done. Backup power RB Mike Anderson didn’t see the field for even one play.

RB Musa Smith, Rush: 3 - 5 - 0, Rec: 2 - 6 - 0 (2 targets)

Smith entered the game as the Ravens’ third down specialist. He got one carry from inside the ten yard line just before halftime, but was stuffed before he had a chance to get moving. They ran a fake screen away from Smith on a third down during the third quarter, and came back in the other direction to him, but the play was just short of gaining a first down.

RB Mike Anderson

Anderson did not see the field today even though he was not inactive.

WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 6 - 67 - 0 (7 targets)

Mason was targeted near the goal line on the first Raven penetration into the red zone. The pass was thrown poorly behind him and he didn’t have a chance. He pulled in a 12 yard comeback route on the right sideline on their next possession showing great footwork to keep his toes in bounds. Mason caught four more balls before halftime including three on their touchdown drive late in the second quarter. He did a nice job securing a 22 yard crossing route while a safety was bearing down on him for a big hit.

WR Clarence Moore, Rec: 2 - 1 - 1 (2 targets)

Moore capped off the second Ravens’ scoring drive with a touchdown. The play was a quick slant from inside the five yard line. QB Steve McNair put the ball up high enough so Moore could use his size advantage over the smaller cornerback. Further, Moore took a solid shot from the safety, but held on for the score. His other reception came late in the game as the Ravens were trying to wind down the clock.

WR Demetrius Williams, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (2 targets)

Williams made a 12 yard reception during the Ravens' second drive of the game for a third down conversion. He was only targeted one additional time in the game.

WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 1 - 17 - 0 (2 targets)

Clayton’s only reception came at the end of the first quarter. QB Steve McNair utilized play action to freeze the linebackers on the play allowing Clayton to work back to the ball in front of the safety. It was a tough catch as McNair put the ball up high and Clayton knew he was going to take a shot on the play. His only other target was a deep jump ball down the right sideline. He got behind the defense, but QB Steve McNair wasn’t able to get enough on the pass because a defensive lineman on the play was leveling him.

TE Todd Heap, Rec: 3 - 47 - 1 (4 targets)

Heap caught a deep cross late in the first quarter leading to the Moore touchdown. He was able to turn up field and rumble over defensive backs for the 30 yard gain. He pulled in a six yard touchdown just before halftime. He got behind the defense and QB Steve McNair threaded a pass just over the top of two defenders and barely through their outstretched hands. His only other reception came at the start of the third quarter. Heap dropped his final target on a deep slant. The ball hit him in the hands, but to be fair the defender got a hand on the inside to knock the ball away as Heap wasn’t able to use his body to shield away the defense.

TE Daniel Wilcox, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (2 targets)

Wilcox caught both of his targets early in the game. His second reception was out in the left flat just inside the ten yard line. Wilcox flashed the speed and elusive footwork that makes him an odd hybrid of a wide receiver and a tight end breaking tackles and getting up field.

PK Matt Stover 0 - 0 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 5 points

Nothing of significance to report from the Baltimore kicking game.

BAL Rush Defense

Baltimore’s front seven wasn’t really tested. The combo of RB Reggie Bush and RB Deuce McAllister only had five carries before halftime. As the lead grew and grew the Saints were forced into passing mode.

BAL Pass Defense

The Ravens generated ample pass rush off the edge forcing QB Drew Brees into a couple mistakes including two pick-six touchdowns. The secondary allowed Brees to post 383 passing yards, but the vast majority of it was in garbage time after Baltimore amassed a 28 point lead early in the second half.

QB Drew Brees, Pass: 24 - 45 - 383 - 3 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 3 - 6 - 0

His first quarter stat line reported on NFL.com was much worse than actual play. He was credited for a fumble and interception in the first half. The fumble was actually RB Reggie Bush’s, and the interception was from a pass that hit RB Aaron Stecker in the hands, but popped up into the air for a pick-six interception. Brees rebounded hitting WR Joe Horn on a long touchdown pass before halftime on a deep seam route. The pass was beautifully zipped into Horn just over the safety. After being pinned back at his own goal line Brees dropped back to pass in the end zone. Under heavy pressure he tried to unload a pass in the left flat as he was being hit. The pass was easily intercepted and returned for a touchdown making it a 28 point game and officially a rout. Being done by 28 points early in the third quarter it allowed ample time for Brees to post monster garbage time stats including two deep touchdown passes to WR Marques Colston.

RB Reggie Bush, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 5 - 16 - 0, Rec: 4 - 5 - 0 (8 targets)

Bush was largely ineffective running, receiving, and throwing the ball. Bush was twice popped early in the backfield behind the line of scrimmage. Once on a swing pass he was dropped immediately. The other was on a running play where he fumbled. It went from bad to worse when Bush sprinted out to the right flat on a hand off and threw up a jump ball for WR Marques Colston in the end zone that was blanketed in coverage. The pass was overthrown and easily intercepted. The cherry on top of his day came when the Saints were backed up to their own goal line. QB Drew Brees dropped back to pass, and Bush was matched up against LB Terrell Suggs coming around the corner. Suggs shed Bush easily and pressured Brees into throwing a poor pass that was intercepted and returned for a score. Bush saw seven late passing targets as the game was a blowout, but wasn’t able to use his speed to make any big plays.

RB Deuce McAllister, Rush: 5 - 11 - 0, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (3 targets)

McAllister didn’t get a chance to get on track, and the Saints really never gave him the opportunity to see if he could find running room against the Ravens’ defense. He had only three carries on six first half possessions. After halftime with the Ravens up 28 points McAllister was mostly watching from the sidelines.

RB Aaron Stecker, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (2 targets)

Stecker’s first touch in the game was a quick flare pass for five yards inside the red zone. His second target on a similar play turned the game into the beginning of the blowout. QB Drew Brees put the ball right on Stecker in the right flat, but Stecker took his eyes off the ball trying to look up the field at the defense. The ball bounced up into the air, was intercepted, and returned for a touchdown. Later the Saints appeared to run an option-like play inside the red zone. Stecker took a handoff that was intended to go right along with RB Reggie Bush in tow ready as a pitch-man, but Stecker cut the play back to the middle picking up a first down. The play was called back due to a holding penalty.

RB Mike Karney, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets)

Karney’s lone touch came early in the game.

WR Marques Colston, Rec: 6 - 163 - 2 (15 targets)

Colston got behind CB Chris McAllister down the right sideline for a long reception off a double move early in the game. Had QB Drew Brees laid the ball out in front of him the play may have gone all the way. He was the intended target of a halfback option pass that ended in the second Saints turnover. Colston was the main beneficiary of the game getting out of hand early. Down 28 points in the third quarter the Saints aired it out. Both of his touchdowns came in the fourth quarter when the game was well over and decided. Colston continues to show a mix of quality size, speed, and hands that makes him very tough for smaller cornerbacks to handle.

WR Joe Horn, Rec: 5 - 126 - 1 (9 targets)

Horn saw one target early in the game, but the pass wasn’t close. His first reception came just before halftime on a deep seam route. QB Drew Brees hit him in stride for the first Saints’ touchdown. The Ravens safety blew his assignment leaving an open path for Horn to get open deep. As the game turned into a blowout Horn saw more targets when the Saints were forced to throw. Horn is getting up in years, but he twice flashed the ability to get open deep. One wasn’t a reception, but he beat CB Chris McAllister badly on the play and drew a pass interference flag. Horn was able to pull in a long 30 yard pass late in the game during garbage time.

WR Terrance Copper, Rec: 1 - 25 - 0 (1 targets)

Coppper made a 25 yard reception during the fourth quarter, it was his only target in the game.

WR Devery Henderson (2 targets)

Henderson was invisible until late in the game. He wasn’t a significant aspect of the initial New Orleans game plan.

TE Mark Campbell, Rec: 4 - 42 - 0 (7 targets)

Campbell started in place of injured starting TE Ernie Conwell. He pulled in one early five yard reception, but wasn’t a major part of the New Orleans passing attack. He saw a flurry of targets late in the game after Baltimore had amassed an enormous lead.

TE Ernie Conwell

Did not play due to his knee injury.

PK John Carney 0 - 0 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points

Carney missed out on what normally might have been field goal opportunities, The Saints were getting blown out and opted to go for it on fourth down late in the game multiple times.

NO Rush Defense

The Saints failed to put the Ravens in obvious passing downs. They allowed RB Jamal Lewis to grind out three and four yard carries setting up manageable third downs for QB Steve McNair. There was a one stretch in the game where the New Orleans front seven was able to hold Lewis to carries of 2, 2, 2, 1, and 2 yards on consecutive carries, but Baltimore remained dedicated to pounding the rock and wore down the Saints.

NO Pass Defense

New Orleans was able to sack QB Steve McNair only once in the game and that was because of a McNair muffed snap. They weren’t able to generate any sort of pass rush to disrupt the Ravens’ passing game. The Ravens were able to peck away with short yardage off of play actions passes aided by their effective running game.