NFL
The New Orleans Saints Edge The Baltimore Ravens In Heartbreaking Fashion
Week 7 of the NFL season brought forth a blockbuster matchup. Baltimore, tied for first in the AFC North, had an opportunity to gain leverage on a Cincinnati Bengals team that was facing the explosive Kansas City Chiefs offense on primetime.
New Orleans is the sole leader in the NFC South. However, with a talented Carolina Panthers team only one game behind, the Saints had no room for error. This matchup was previewed by TSJ earlier in the week.
One of the best offenses in the NFL against one of the best defenses. Who wins tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/H3s9ug1t25
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) October 20, 2018
First Half
The Baltimore Ravens would win the coin toss and defer, giving New Orleans the first crack at offense. The Saints would make it known early that they were not going to be passive against the NFL’s top defense. New Orleans elected to keep the offense on the field four times on fourth down in the opening drive.
Saints now going for it on 4th down for the 4th time on this drive.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 21, 2018
Although the fourth and final try proved unsuccessful, the Saints’ offense made Baltimore bend, something many other teams failed to do. That Saints’ drive, getting as far as the Ravens’ four-yard line, chewed over ten minutes off the clock. Two simultaneous punts by the Ravens and Saints ended the first quarter.
Offensive Prowess
In contrast, the second quarter wouldn’t net a single punt for either offense. Baltimore proceeded to engage in a long drive of its own, holding the ball for over seven minutes. The 17-play, 63-yard drive took a seven-minute chunk out of the second quarter. Though invading the Saints’ red zone, Baltimore settled for three, making the score Baltimore 3-0.
The Saints responded with an uncanny rebuttal, driving 75 yards in a mere eight plays. The drive was highlighted by Saints’ wide receiver Michael Thomas beating Ravens’ cornerback Jimmy Smith for a 32-yard gain. Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees finished the drive off with a one-yard strike to tight end Benjamin Watson, giving Brees his 500th career touchdown pass.
Drew Brees joins Manning, Favre, & Brady in the 500 club. pic.twitter.com/vCYsszWYZb
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 21, 2018
Baltimore would retort to the Saints’ scoring drive with an even more explosive 6-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The drive was highlighted by a huge 56-yard catch and run by Ravens’ wide receiver John “Smokey” Brown and an illegal contact penalty by Saints’ safety Marcus Williams.
The drive, as well as the half, was capped off by first-round draft pick Lamar Jackson scoring his first NFL touchdown. Baltimore ended the half up 10-7 at home.
Lamar Jackson runs it in for his 1st career TD ?
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/z4Y0SnuROp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 21, 2018
Second Half
Baltimore received the ball to start the second half. Flacco made it a priority to get wide receiver Michael Crabtree his first two catches of the game to open up the second half. However, the drive stalled and Baltimore would punt. A subsequent New Orleans’ punt gave the ball back to Baltimore.
Baltimore picked up the pace, putting together yet another scoring drive. The 10-play, 61-yard drive concluded with an eight-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews. Baltimore extends the lead to 17-7.
However, the Saints would respond with a 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The drive was catapulted by a huge third-down conversion from Brees as well as two huge catches from rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith. The drive finished with an Alvin Kamara touchdown, the first second-half touchdown allowed by the Ravens all season.
A sack by Saints’ pass rusher Alex Okafor stymied the Ravens’ next drive, giving the Saints the ball once again. The Saints reached the end zone again on the next drive after yet another fourth down conversion led to a Michael Thomas touchdown, giving the Saints their first lead of the game, as they took a 21-17 lead.
Crunch Time
Baltimore’s following drive led to a turnover on downs, giving the Saints the ball with less than four minutes remaining in the game. A huge run by Saints’ weapon Taysom Hill made the Ravens’ chances of getting the ball back slim. However, a huge third-down stop held the Saints to a field goal, giving Baltimore the ball back down seven with two minutes remaining.
A 15-yd facemask penalty by the Saints proved to be a huge momentum booster for the Ravens two-minute drill. Flacco went 6-6 on the drive, finishing the drive off with a touchdown strike to John Brown. Unfortunately, an extra point miss by all-world kicker Justin Tucker sealed the game for the Saints, giving them the 24-23 victory.
Justin Tucker misses an extra point for the first time in his career – he was previously 222 for 222 – as Saints hold off Ravens in final minute. https://t.co/2BuiPB8gpC pic.twitter.com/jYVrIregqS
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 21, 2018
Fantasy Implications
Quarterback Joe Flacco netted over 23 points in all standard and PPR scoring formats, a nice day at the office. Tight end Benjamin Watson and running back Alvin Kamara both scored 15+ points in all PPR leagues.
The big winners on the afternoon were wide receivers Michael Thomas (19.9 points-PPR) and John Brown (26.4 points-PPR).
Photo Credit
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