Ravens vs. Saints: 5 Things To Watch For
By Brett Foote
Feb 1, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers fan Mark Castanon (left) , New Orleans Saints fan Bryon Loisel (center) and Baltimore Ravens fan Uland Price pose with Super Bowl ring hats of their respective teams at Super Bowl Boulevard at Woldenberg Park in advance of Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In the fourth and final preseason game for 2014, the Ravens travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints. The last time these two teams met was back in 2010, when the Ravens won 30-24. The Ravens are 4-1 all time against the Saints.
While Thursday’s game has little meaning given the rarity in which starters play in the final game of the preseason, these are two teams that can easily compete for a Super Bowl this season.
So while we may not see the likes of Drew Brees, Joe Flacco, or Jimmy Graham, we will see a lot of young players fighting for their roster spots. Now that teams have trimmed their rosters down to 75 players from 90, the fourth game of the preseason gives coaches one last look at fringe prospects before they cut down to the final 53.
For those who survived first cuts, many now face a do or die situation. One blown assignment, bad play, or missed tackle can make all the difference. While some decisions are likely already set in stone, players can redeem themselves or turn a good impression into a bad one in just one series, or one game.
We have identified 5 things you will want to watch for in Thursday night’s Ravens vs. Saints matchup. Click on to find out what we will be watching for in the final game of the preseason.