Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints: Keys To Victory
By Brett Foote
Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs through a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (29) during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t Give Mark Ingram Room to Run
Perhaps one of the most underrated running backs in the league this season, Mark Ingram has exploded onto the scene in 2014 thanks in large part to a few key injuries. The Saints have been riding Ingram hard the last four weeks, to the tune of 26 carries per game for 459 yards rushing (4.41 ypc) and three touchdowns.
The good news is that the Raven’s strongest attribute is their excellent run defense. The Ravens are currently ranked 5th in the NFL while only allowing 84.5 yards per game. In the four games since Ingram became a volume runner, he has faced the soft fronts of the Panthers, Bengals, and Packers, and even the 49ers have been defending the run poorly of late. This week, he won’t find nearly as many open running lanes.