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Ravens Recap: Ravens Beat Saints 30-27

By Jackson Thompson

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Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated New Orleans Saints 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Football season is finally here!  Kind of.  In the first quasi-competitive football action since February, the Baltimore Ravens have beaten the New Orleans Saints 30-27 in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason.

The Ravens jumped out to an early 17-0 lead against a New Orleans team without Drew Brees.  In his one series, Joe Flacco looked awesome, completing five of six passes for 33 yards on a drive that took more than eight minutes to go 80 yards in 16 plays.  He even threw in a 17-yard run.  You know, just cuz.

An interesting note for all you fantasy footballers: Lorenzo Taliaferro got the call at the goal line to run it in for a one yard score.  It was rumored that maybe Buck Allen could take the goal line duties, but it looks as though it’s Taliaferro’s job for now.  Both backs had roughly the same number of carries in this first test to see who will back up Justin Forsett, but Taliaferro struck first blood.

Matt Schaub took over for the second drive and played through the third quarter.  He completed 11 of 18 passes for 134 yards, one touchdown and one interception.  He threw a sweet 45-yard pass to Michael Campanaro in the second quarter to put the Ravens up 14-0.

After tying it up in the fourth quarter, New Orleans made things interesting in the end.  New Orleans actually took the lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Marcus Murphy with 1:56 left in the game after an interception of third-string Ravens quarterback Bryn Renner.  Renner redeemed himself on the next drive, scorings on a 1-yard touchdown run with 2 seconds left on the clock to put Baltimore up for good.

Ravens Notables:

  • Maxx Williams finished with two receptions on three targets for 36 yards.  He looked good in this one and should continue to work his way into a major role this season.  Crockett Gillmore is still listed as the first string TE.
  • Backup tight end Nick Boyle received the most targets on the night with seven, but only caught four of them for short gains.
  • Za’Darius Smith collected a sack, two QB hits, and four tackles in this one.  Watch out for this kid.  He’s a keeper.
  • Justin Tucker finished 3 for 3 on field goals, hitting a 51-yarder and is still awesome.

Injury Notes:

  • TE Allen Reisner broke an ankle and had surgery during the game.
  • DB Asa Jackson, a main competitor to replace Jacoby Jones as the primary punt returner, left in the second quarter with a knee injury.

Next: Ravens vs Saints Predictions

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