The New Orleans Saints (0-1) and Baltimore Ravens (1-0) square of in Week 2 of the NFL season. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The game will broadcast live on CBS.
The Ravens are 8.5-point favorites over the Saints on the spread (Ravens -8.5), with the over/under set at 46.5 total points. Baltimore is a -420 moneyline favorite to win outright, while New Orleans is listed as a +330 underdog to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Saints vs Ravens predictions for Week 2.
Saints vs Ravens Prediction
- Saints vs Ravens pick: Under 47 (-120)
My Saints vs Ravens best bet is the total to stay Under 47 points, with the best price currently available at FanDuel. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
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Saints vs Ravens Odds
| Saints Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -115 | 46.5 -115o / -105u | +330 |
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -105 | 46.5 -115o / -105u | -420 |
Saints vs Ravens NFL Week 2 Preview
Saints Betting Preview: Underrated Defense
The Saints offense was essentially nonexistent for the entire first half last week, looking like the worst unit in the NFL. Then Tyler Shough flipped the switch late and the Saints rattled off 200 yards of offense after converting a do-or-die 4th-and-12 to keep the game alive and force overtime.
Defensively, New Orleans has an underrated group. The Saints were excellent against the run last year, and DC Brandon Staley does a fantastic job defending play-action.
The key to this matchup is Jonas Sanker playing the big nickel; he can stay on the field to defend the run while holding his own in coverage against Baltimore's heavy multi-tight end sets.
The Saints plan to sit in a two-high shell, maintain their pass-rush integrity, and force the Ravens to beat them methodically underneath.
Ravens Betting Preview: Injured Wide Receivers
I loved the Over for the Ravens last week, but I am flipping the script here.
The biggest news is Baltimore's wide receiver room: Zay Flowers isn't practicing with a hamstring injury and is doubtful to play, and Ja'Kobi Lane is on IR. That leaves Rashod Bateman as Lamar Jackson's No. 1 option on the outside.
Without Flowers’ speed, the explosiveness of this offense falls off a cliff. Declan Doyle did some great things schematically with Jackson under center last week, but the interior offensive line struggled mightily in pass protection.
Defensively, Jesse Minter put on a masterclass. The Ravens were flying to the football and taking away explosive plays last week.
Justin Madubuike might also be back in the lineup for this game, which completely changes the complexion of their defensive front against Shough.
Saints vs Ravens Prediction, Betting Analysis
Make sure you shop around and try to find this total at 47 if you can, as it is a key number.
Without Zay Flowers, the Ravens are going to lean on a methodical, run-heavy script with Derrick Henry against a Saints defense uniquely equipped to match up with their heavy personnel.
On the flip side, I expect Jesse Minter to throw confusing looks at Tyler Shough, generating consistent stops against a Saints offense that lacks down-to-down consistency.
Both defenses are designed to eliminate explosive plays, giving this game all the makings of a low-scoring slugfest.
Pick: Under 47 (-120)
