NFL Monday Night Football Schedule & Predictions: Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints (POLL)
In a battle of former Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks, Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens will take on Drew Brees and New Orleans Saints on the Nov. 24th edition of NFL Monday Night Football.
Monday Night Football gives NFL fans an inter-conference game between two teams who only play each other once every four years. The Ravens and Saints don't have a lot of history between each other, but both teams are in desperate need of a victory if they want to win their division.
Let's see which team has the edge in this game:
Baltimore Ravens (6-4)
The Ravens have been extremely inconsistent this season. Some weeks the Ravens look unbeatable, but other weeks, the Ravens look terrible. The biggest issue for the Ravens this season has been beating good teams. A 1-4 record against the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts leave a lot of doubt in Baltimore.
Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense has been average this season, ranking 11th overall in the league. Unfortunately, the Ravens have been a turnover-prone team this year with eight interceptions and 10 fumbles. Flacco has 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season with a 90.7 passer rating. Newly added wide receiver Steve Smith leads the Ravens with 49 catches and 728 yards.
As usual, the heart and soul of the Ravens is their defense, which ranks fourth in points against. Elvis Dumervil has been fantastic this season with a team-leading 10.5 sacks, and defensive captain Terrell Suggs isn't showing any signs of slowing down. This Ravens defensive squad will definitely be put to the test against a high-powered Saints offense on the road.
With all the drama surrounding Ray Rice and his off-the-field issues, many NFL fans have overlooked running back Justin Forsett. Forsett has a career high 721 rushing yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
The Ravens will play the San Diego Chargers next week.
New Orleans Saints (4-6)
The New Orleans Saints have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season. The Saints have lost their last two games, and their defense is only getting worse. Thankfully for them, they play in the worst division in football, the NFC South.
The Saints were widely recognized as the best home team in the NFL, but they have lost their last two games at home, against the Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers. The thought of the Saints losing three consecutive home games seemed impossible, but now it just may happen on Monday Night Football with everyone watching.
Drew Brees has impressive numbers this year with 19 touchdowns and a 95.9 passer rating, but he is making a lot of mistakes. Brees has 10 interceptions (had 12 all of last season) and has thrown the most third down interceptions in the league. Tight end Jimmy Graham is the most reliable target for the Saints, and rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been playing very well this season.
Defensively, the Saints have been an absolute train wreck. The Saints rank 23rd in total yards allowed, 27th in pass defense and 19th in rush defense. The entire Saints defensive squad has a total of six interceptions this year, and Rob Ryan is struggling as the defensive coordinator. The only impressive victory for the Saints this year was against the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers in Week 8.
The Saints play the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.
Schedule, Where to watch
The Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints will play each other on Nov. 24 on Monday at 8:30 p.m. EST. The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will be shown on ESPN. You can view a live game stream here.
Prediction
The Saints can't lose three consecutive home games, can they? The NFC South is a terrible division this season, but time is running out for the Saints to take advantage. Drew Brees needs to show everyone why he's still an elite quarterback and come out with a victory at home. The Ravens will put up a fight but come up short.
Saints win 32-27
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