Monday Night Football: Ravens vs. Saints Predictions

Tonight’s Monday Night Football matchup, Ravens vs. Saints, could be one of the best we’ve seen in 2014. Baltimore is looking to stay in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race, while New Orleans can stay on top of their division with a win. Oddly enough, they’ll be just as fine with a loss.

Here are a few predictions to get you ready for the big game…

Joe Flacco: 29/40, 301 yards, 3 TDs, INT

I fully expect Flacco to come out and have a huge game. He’s due for a standout performance, and there’s no better team to show off against than the Saints. New Orleans has struggled mightily against the pass, and Steve Smith Sr. (who we’ll spotlight in a moment) knows how to rock the NFC South.

Flacco has to utilize both of his “Smith” options tonight. Expect Sr. to get the bulk of Joe’s targets, but Torrey Smith may have a few deep balls coming his way.

Drew Brees: 22/30, 277 yards, 2 TD

As impressive of a night as Flacco could have, Brees has the potential to play just as big. The Baltimore secondary is quite familiar with the injury bug. They are dealing with guys like Danny Gorrer and Anthony Levine playing deep.

Brees will be without rookie Brandin Cooks, but the playmakers are plentiful. Watch out for Jimmy Graham to take advantage of a struggling Baltimore pass defense and dominate on third downs.

Steve Smith Sr: 8 catches, 130 yards, 2 TD

Don’t look now, but Smith Sr. is also due for a huge performance in the spotlight of Monday Night Football. This guy simply seems to show up in games that mean something, and he finally has a quarterback that can sling him the ball in big spots.

If Flacco is on, the former Panther can and will dominate tonight.

A few extras…

• Graham converts five third-down conversions, scores a TD
• Justin Forsett is bottled up by the Saints, Lorenzo Taliaferro has the big game for the Ravens
• Saints pass rush gets to Flacco, sacks him 4+ times

FINAL SCORE: Ravens 31, Saints 28 (OT)

This one is going to be fun. Weigh in below with your predictions.