Baltimore Ravens vs New Orleans Saints: 3 Bold Predictions

Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) carries the ball to score a touchdown in front of Tennessee Titans linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (95) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens will run the ball a lot

This is the time of year the Ravens start switching gears to playoff football, which means pounding the rock and asserting their will in the trenches. In 2010, the Ravens ran the ball 39 times for 208 yards against the Saints. Though they might not run for that high of an average this time, the Ravens should look to run just as many times, if not more.

The Ravens are clearly better when they run a balanced offense. In their last game, against the Tennessee Titans, the Ravens ran the ball 34 times and threw 27. More to the point, the Ravens are 0-4 this year when Joe Flacco throws more than 32 passes. That’s not a coincidence. Flacco is one of the best play-action quarterbacks in the NFL, so running the ball frequently to set that up has to be a priority.

It has been a priority in the past around this time of year, as the Ravens have consistently emphasized the ground game in the latter parts of the season. Expect them to do just that against the Saints.