Baltimore Ravens vs New Orleans Saints: Game Preview

I have heard a couple of people say that this is the most important game remaining for the Baltimore Ravens. I believe that is 100% false. But I will give you this: It might very well be the toughest game remaining on the Ravens’ schedule.

The Baltimore Ravens will travel back to the Superdome, where they were victorious in Super Bowl 47 less than two years ago. They have a lot of great memories there, and hopefully they can add to those.

The New Orleans Saints is a team that has struggled a bit this season, but as I stated yesterday, that should be no indication of how tough this team really is to deal with. As long as the Saints have Drew Brees, they will always be a dangerous team.

Brees is currently fourth in the league in passing yards, and this is considered a down year for New Orleans. That’s how good he is. And although the Saints currently hold a record of 4-6, they are still tied with the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South division.

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So they have plenty to play for and they will be playing for that at home. They started the season by winning three straight home games, and although they have lost two since then, they are always tough to deal with on their home turf.

The big question about matchups in this game is this: Will the Ravens’ depleted secondary have any chance against tight end Jimmy Graham?

When Graham is healthy, he is the best tight end in the league. He has caught 59 passes (most among tight ends) for 623 yards (third-most among tight ends) and seven touchdowns (fourth-most) this season. He has led the league in receptions and receiving yards over the last three years combined. He is a beast.

The Ravens’ secondary will not be able to stop him, but they might just be able to contain him. This group of defensive backs is coming off their first halfway-decent performance of the season against Tennessee in Week 10, so perhaps they have some confidence to build upon.

Is this the most vital game remaining for the Ravens? No. In fact, losing this game wouldn’t be the end of the world at all. But with six games remaining in the regular season, all games are important, and this will be a tough victory to grab for the Baltimore Ravens.