As we head into the final preseason game, two of the four remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL this summer will go head-to-head as the Ravens head to NOLA to take on the Saints in the Superdome. This marks the first of two trips to New Orleans for the Ravens who will be back on November 24 for a Monday Night showdown.
The Saints offense is looking dynamic as usual and they are coming into tonight’s preseason finale ranked 11th in Rushing Offense (120.3 YPG), 4th in Passing Offense (256.3 YPG), and 3rd in Total Offense (376.7) while racking up 26.7 PPG, the 4th most in the NFL.
Let’s take a look at a few of the key pieces of the Saint’s high-flying Offense this summer:
• QB Ryan Griffin, 24, should have the #2 QB spot behind Drew Brees locked up after an outstanding summer. Through the first three games of the pre season, the 2nd year UDFA out of Tulane has completed 37 (4th most) of 55 attempts (67.3%) for 404 yards (6th most) and 3 TD’s while throwing just 1 Interception, resulting in a sparkling 99.4 QB Rating.
• After being a high-profile back-up on top of battling various injuries in his first three seasons, 4th year RB Mark Ingram looks motivated and poised for a breakout season, potentially as a sole feature back after the stellar summer he’s put together in 2014. The 24-year-old product of Nick Saban’s ‘Bama program has posted 148 yards on just 21 carries in the first three games and is averaging a ridiculous 7.0 YPC with 1 Rushing TD and 1 Receiving TD.
• WR Joe Morgan, 26, is having a great summer despite coming off of his 2nd major knee injury in three years. The fourth year UDFA out of Walsh is heads into tonight’s match-up tied for 2nd on the team in receptions (7) and ranked 1st in yards (148) and YPC (21.1), while the Saints 1st round pick out of Oregon State, WR Brandin Cooks, has already made his presence felt, ranking 3rd on the team in catches (6) and 5th in yards (71) while recording 1 TD.
• The Ravens don’t have to watch out for Drew Brees (128 yards, 2/0 TD/INT, 127.2 Rating), Marques Colston (4 catches, 35 yards) or Jimmy Graham (9 rec, 110 yards, 2 TD) tonight, but two guys that could cause some damage that are sure to see the field a lot are 22-year-old rookie UDFA (and Accokeek, Maryland native) WR Brandon Coleman out of Rutgers (4 catches, 40 yards) and 2nd year UDFA TE Josh Hill out of Idaho State. Hill, 24, has posted 84 yards on just 4 receptions (21.0 avg).
Fortunately for the Ravens 2nd-string Offense, they don’t have to face nearly as hard of a challenge as the Defense does. The Saints D is ranked near the cellar in Pass Defense (249.3 YPG- 28th), Run Defense (133.3 YPG- 27th), and Total Defense (382.7 YPG- 28th) while giving up 21.7 PPG (20th).
Despite the poor results as a unit, there are a few players that the Ravens will have to prevent from wreaking havoc and throwing a wrench into tonight’s game plan:
• The Saints could have a pair late-round steals in their 5th round pick out of Alabama, 20-year-old SS Vinnie Sunseri, who leads the team with 15 tackles (12 solo) while recording 1 Int and 3 PD’s, and OLB Ronald Powell out of Florida, also a 5th round pick. Powell, 23, has impressed this summer by recording 10 tackles and 1 sack.
• Led by DE Cameron Jordan, 25, ( 4 tackles, 2.0 sacks) and 25-year-old UDFA DE Kasim Edebali out of Boston College ( 3 tackles, 2.0 sacks), the Saints D is tied for 2nd with the most sacks (11).
• One guy that will assuredly be seeing a ton of playing time tomorrow night is 2nd round pick, CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste out of Nebraska. Jean-Baptiste, 24, has racked up 9 tackles (6 solo) and 1 PD in the first three games of the pre season and at 6-3/215, he could be a big piece of the Nola Defense for years to come.
• The odds of seeing the likes of Jordan, S Kenny Vaccaro (7 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 1 int, 1 FF) and LB Curtis Lofton (13 tackles) take the field are next to nil in tonight, but keep an eye out for a couple of under-the-radar guys that are impressing this summer such as 3rd year LB Kyle Knox, 25, who is 4th on the team in tackles (11), 24-year-old DE Tyrunn Walker (8 tackles, 1 sack), 27-year-old LB/ ST Ace Ramon Humber (12 tackles- 3rd most on the team) and 25-year-old DB Trevin Wade ( 9 tackles, 8 solo).
Tonight’s Preseason finale should be an entertaining and competitive game to watch with so many guys on the bubble that are just trying to make that one, final huge play to solidify their spot on the final 53.
And while it is just the preseason, ending the preseason with a win away from home and to go unbeaten all summer could provide momentum for the Ravens going into the season opener.
One more tune-up, and then it’s for real next week.
Just please, no injuries tomorrow, OK guys?
Please and thank you!
