The New Orleans Saints face a formidable beginning to their 2026 NFL campaign, and the intensity doesn’t wane in Week 2 as they journey to Baltimore. Following their season opener in Detroit, the Saints will head to M&T Bank Stadium for another rigorous contest against one of the NFL’s most physically imposing teams, the Ravens. This presents a demanding start to the year, particularly for a Saints squad aiming to establish early momentum.
Historically, Baltimore has largely dominated this series, securing victory in 75% of their encounters. The Ravens also emerged victorious in their most recent matchup during the 2022 season. For New Orleans, this game will hinge on their ability to keep pace with an elite NFL team renowned for its speed and exceptional quarterback play.
The upcoming clash between the Saints and Ravens is scheduled for Sunday, September 20th (Week 2), kicking off at Noon CT at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The Ravens currently hold a 6-2 lead in the all-time series.
The last time these two teams met was on November 7, 2022, when the Ravens triumphed 27-13. That game, played at the Caesars Superdome, saw Baltimore control the proceedings. Lamar Jackson proved to be the decisive factor, as is often the case, extending plays and preventing the Saints’ defense from gaining a foothold. Baltimore’s ground game was also dominant, racking up 188 rushing yards, spearheaded by Jackson and running back Kenyan Drake, who contributed two touchdowns. A 14-3 halftime deficit ultimately proved insurmountable for New Orleans.
There are also shared connections between the two organizations. Ravens long snapper Nick Gray, now in his seventh season in Baltimore, initially spent time with New Orleans in the spring of 2019 before being waived during training camp. The Ravens subsequently signed Gray the following offseason, and he has remained with the team ever since, signing a four-year, $6.4 million extension in January.
Since their last encounter, several substantial changes have occurred. The Ravens’ acquisition of former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry stands out as the most significant alteration. Henry introduces an entirely new dimension to a Baltimore offense that was already remarkably dynamic. In his two seasons with the Ravens, Henry has amassed over 3,500 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.
Baltimore also saw a change in leadership, parting ways with long-time head coach John Harbaugh this offseason. They subsequently appointed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to fill the role, a position with considerable expectations.
A trade for superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby, involving two first-round picks, was agreed upon just days before free agency but ultimately fell through when Crosby failed a physical. As a result, the Ravens instead signed former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a substantial four-year, $112 million contract in free agency.
Former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, who led the team in receiving yards during their last matchup with the Saints, signed with the New York Giants this offseason. Baltimore is expected to rely more heavily on veteran tight end Mark Andrews. The Ravens also drafted former SMU tight end Matthew Hibner in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Baltimore also lost standout interior offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum this offseason, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. To address this void, the Ravens selected Penn State’s exemplary interior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane in the first round of the NFL draft.
This early-season matchup will be crucial in revealing the Saints’ talent level and physical readiness. Baltimore’s dynamic offense not only challenges a defense’s raw skill but also tests its discipline, tackling prowess, and patience. Should New Orleans’ relatively young defense be caught off guard even once or twice by option plays, it could prove to be the deciding factor in this critical early-season game.
For the Saints’ offense, quarterback Tyler Shough and the rest of the unit must maintain their rhythm and avoid predictable long-passing situations. If they can execute their game plan and manage the game’s environment effectively, they will have a better chance of staying competitive. This also entails establishing a robust run game and utilizing their running backs’ capabilities in the passing game.
