Ravens squander lead, allow late TD in stunning 24-17 loss to Saints

Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun on Sep 20, 2026

Published in Football

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BALTIMORE — All summer, Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter talked to anyone who would listen about his players needing to be at their best when they needed to be.

Baltimore was anything but Sunday afternoon.

With the Saints facing fourth-and-goal from the Ravens’ 1-yard line with just over 90 seconds remaining in Sunday’s home opener at M&T Bank Stadium, New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough snuck in for a touchdown, propelling the Saints to a 24-17 victory. The controversial play, upheld by replay review, capped a 16-play, 68-yard drive that chewed up more than 6 1/2 minutes.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson (21 of 31 for 235 yards) was then intercepted on the Ravens’ next possession, ending the game. The pass was intended for Rashod Bateman but instead landed in the awaiting arms of safety Julion Blackmon with 13 seconds left.

The loss dropped the Ravens to 1-1, while the Saints improved to 1-1.

Without top wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) and promising rookie Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist), the Ravens’ offense struggled to move the ball consistently. Meanwhile, their defense couldn’t get a stop when it needed one.

Tied at 17 and facing a third-and-1 from their own 37-yard line with just over 9 1/2 minutes to play, the Ravens failed to convert. Instead of handing the ball to Derrick Henry (16 carries for 68 yards, one touchdown), Jackson threw deep to 33-year-old veteran Chris Moore, but the pass was broken up.

Then the Ravens’ defense watched the Saints methodically march down the field for the game-winning touchdown.

Baltimore’s defense struggled all game to get off the field. New Orleans converted on 8 of 15 third downs and twice on fourth down. The Ravens finished with three sacks, but Shough often had time in the pocket to find open receivers downfield.

Penalties also plagued the Ravens, who had seven on the afternoon.

But a week after putting up 506 yards of offense and 41 points in their season opener, the Ravens were far less explosive despite facing a Saints defense that was gashed by the Detroit Lions a week ago. Baltimore finished with 312 yards.

Still, the Ravens should never have been in that position at the end of the game.

Baltimore took a 7-0 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Henry in the first quarter on a direct snap to the back. After a New Orleans field goal, the Ravens stretched the lead to 14-3 on Jackson’s 22-yard touchdown strike to Bateman.

Bateman leaped, caught the ball between two defenders and tumbled to the ground. When he popped up, he looked toward the crowd and put his left hand to his ear.

His and the Ravens’ success was short-lived, though.

Poor coverage on the ensuing kickoff led to a 47-yard field goal at the end of the first half as New Orleans kept chipping away at the deficit.

Things only got worse from there.

The Ravens had only 84 yards in the second half and converted just two third downs. Henry also had just five carries over the final 30 minutes.

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