BALTIMORE (AP) – By breaking two alarming trends, the Baltimore
Ravens snapped the six-game winning streak of the defending Super
Bowl champions.
Ray Rice ran for 153 yards, caught five passes for 80 yards and
scored two touchdowns to carry the Ravens over the New Orleans
Saints 30-24 on Sunday.
By Pat Yasinskas
BALTIMORE — The fine folks at ESPN Stats & Information just passed along some notes that help explain why the Saints lost to the Ravens on Sunday.
Let’s start with Baltimore’s defensive pressure. In his postgame interview, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees admitted he wound up seeing more pressure than he expected from the Ravens. The numbers backed that up.
By Pat Yasinskas
BALTIMORE — In a postgame locker room where there easily could have been talk of frustration, doom or even meetings to plan the return of the Lombardi Trophy, there simply wasn’t.
“If we are a wild-card, then obviously our trip to the Super Bowl is on the road,’’ New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees said after a 30-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. “If that’s what we have to do, that’s what we’ll have to do.’’
Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
KEEP AN EYE ON …
PIERRE THOMAS
The New Orleans’ tailback likely will play a bigger role today in his second week back from a lingering ankle injury — on offense and potentially as a kickoff returner. Thomas might have to serve as the Saints’ lead runner, depending on the health of tailback Chris Ivory. He also is a valuable weapon for the Saints on screen passes, which is one of the best ways to attack the aggressive Ravens’ defense. And judging by the temperature in Baltimore, Thomas is bound to have a big day. The Chicago-area native and former Illinois standout always has thrived outdoors in cold weather during his NFL career. His breakout game came at Chicago in his rookie year in 2007, when he gained 105 yards rushing and 121 yards receiving. In 2008, he gained more than 140 yards from scrimmage at Kansas City and Chicago late in the season. And in 2009, he ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the second half during a balmy day at Buffalo. “I feel like I feel great out there in the cold weather,” said Thomas, adding that you don’t get tired as quickly. “It’s something I’m used to, something I was raised in. So I know I’ll be good.”
Have you ever wanted to sit down and have dinner with a Saints player, how about two players.. heck maybe even more! Well if you need to buy a gift for a Saints fan and don’t know what to get them here is a great offer!
Join Pierre Thomas and Heath Evans along with a few other teammates to a great dinner at Sake Cafe on Thursday night.
Here is the invite and seats are going to go fast so make sure you email sakedinner@whodatnation.com if you are interested in attending, first come first booked.
We want to thank the Heath Evans Foundations for helping make this event possible and Sake Cafe for being a great sponsor and support of Pierre and the rest of the Who Dat Nation !
Jeff Duncan
If you’re looking for the most improved aspect of the New Orleans Saints in the Sean Payton era look no further than the pass defense.
In 2007, opposing quarterbacks passed for 32 touchdown passes and an average of 257 yards a game against the Saints. Their combined passer efficiency rating was an astounding 96.9.
James Varney
New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper arrived at work this week to find two empty gas cans at his locker, a gift from anonymous teammates honoring his tiptoeing out of bounds with a fumble recovery against the Rams with opposing quarterback Sam Bradford closing in.
James Varney, The Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints maintained a fairly lengthy injury list Thursday, and buried within it was a mix of good and dicey news for the team as it prepares to face the host Baltimore Ravens this weekend.
Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
The New Orleans Saints will likely enter Sunday’s game at Baltimore as underdogs for the first time all season – depending on how the Ravens perform tonight at Houston. But Saints Coach Sean Payton insisted that he won’t use the “underdog” edge as motivation for his team.
Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune
Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins will be named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday for his two-interception performance in a 31-13 win against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
The NFL will official announce the honor on Wednesday.
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