Saints hope to avoid 0-2 start Sunday when they face Ravens in Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WVUE) - The Saints hope to avoid an 0-2 start to the new season Sunday (Sept. 20) when they face the formidable Baltimore Ravens at a rain-drenched M&T Bank Stadium.

New Orleans (0-1) is on the road for the second straight week, after losing last Sunday in Detroit, 31-30, when a two-point conversion that would have beaten the Lions failed in overtime.

The Saints fell behind 21-0 in that game before making a furious second-half rally, something Coach Kellen Moore hopes to avoid in Baltimore.

“We’ve just got to play better in the first quarter, simple as that,” Moore said. ”We know where we’re at. We know where we’re going and there’ll be adjustments as we go.”

Oddsmakers have the Ravens favored by 8½ points, even though Baltimore will be without its top two wide receivers, Zay Flowers (hamstring) and rookie Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist surgery).

New Orleans was shorthanded last week, but running back Alvin Kamara is expected to make his season debut Sunday after healing from a training camp knee injury. It remains to be seen how Moore intends to utilize Kamara alongside newly signed running back Travis Etienne.

In addition to Flowers, the Ravens will be without starting guard John Simpson (groin) and tackle Ronnie Staley will be playing on an injured toe, weakening the offensive line ahead of elite quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.

The Ravens’ top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson will be active, playing in a cast to protect a finger broken in several places.

The Saints have injury concerns, too. Top wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) and edge rusher Chase Young (calf) were listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, but both are on the 53-man active roster for the game that kicks off at noon, weather permitting.

Inactive for the Saints on Sunday are RB Kendre Miller, QB Zach Wilson, CB Decamerion Richardson, LB Isaiah Stalbird, DL Christen Miller, OT Mason Murphy and DL John Ridgeway III.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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