Ravens, Saints Meet On Monday Night Football
Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens will look to keep pace in the AFC North.
Monday Night Football emanates from the Big Easy this week as the New Orleans Saints host the Baltimore Ravens in an interconference matchup between postseason hopefuls.
Kickoff at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Looking to keep pace in the AFC North, the Ravens will look to get the better of a New Orleans side looking to keep a grip atop the miserable NFC South.
The Story So Far
With the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns each picking up a victory in Sunday’s slate of NFL action, Baltimore (6-4, 2-3 road) will look to join its three division rivals on seven wins Monday night.
The Ravens have faced an uncharacteristically division-heavy schedule so far this season, going 2-3 against AFC North opponents with one game left to play. That record won’t be enough to earn a division title alone, so it’s crucial the Ravens find ways to leapfrog their rivals. Winning out of the division will be the team’s best shot.
A week ago, John Harbaugh’s team handed the Tennessee Titans a 21-7 defeat, bouncing back from back-to-back divisional losses. The Ravens moved to 4-1 in non-divisional play in the process, a record that has been bolstered in part by the lackluster NFC South.
A win on Monday is vital for a Ravens’ side that will face opponents with winning records in four of its last five games.
It’s not only Baltimore that needs a win on Monday night. New Orleans (4-6, 3-2 home) – considered by most to be the best of a bad bunch in the NFC South – remains precariously perched at the top of the division but would see that lead slip away with a loss.
The Saints have lost two straight, falling to the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals. Surprisingly, both of those losses have come at the Superdome, where the team had previously not lost since the 2012 season. No longer a venue to instill awe in an opponent, will the Saints be able to come out on top in the Superdome on Monday?
Head-to-Head
Since rebranding in 1996, Baltimore is 4-1 against the New Orleans Saints.
The Ravens are 1-0 on the road against the Saints, and 2-0 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, thanks to that Super Bowl XLVII victory.
The Saints’ only victory over the Ravens came on December 8, 2002, a 37-25 win in Baltimore.
Baltimore has won two straight in the series.
Injury Report
Baltimore will be without wide receiver Michael Campanaro (thigh) and tackle Jah Reid (hand).
Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (not injury related) and linebacker Terrell Suggs (not injury related) are amongst a group of Ravens listed as probable.
New Orleans will be missing linebacker Kyle Knox (hand) and running back Khiry Robinson (forearm). Meanwhile, wide receiver Robert Meacham (ankle) is listed as questionable.
Running backs Mark Ingram (shoulder), Travaris Cadet (hamstring) and Pierre Thomas (rib, shoulder) are all listed as probable for Week 12.
Check out the full injury list
Mark Ingram could shoulder much of the load for New Orleans on Monday.
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints odds for 11/24/2014
Moneyline: New Orleans (-197) opened as the favorite over Baltimore (+177) on the moneyline, but that slim advantage has become even slimmer as game time approaches. At the time of writing, the Ravens could be found at +130.
Baltimore is 3-0 against the dire NFC South this season, winning by an average margin of 27 points.
New Orleans is 0-2 when facing AFC North opponents this season, including last week’s disappointing home loss to the Bengals.
The Saints are 2-1 in prime time games this season, while the Ravens are 1-1.
Spread: The spread opened at 4 in favor of New Orleans but has slipped to 3 with most sportsbooks.
Baltimore (6-4-0 ATS) has fared better than New Orleans (4-6-0 ATS) this season, but betting the spread looks like a tricky option this week.
The Ravens are 2-3-0 ATS on the road and 0-2-0 ATS as an underdog.
The Saints are 2-3-0 ATS at home this season and 3-6-0 ATS as the favorite.
Since moving to Baltimore in 1996, the Ravens are 4-1-0 ATS when playing New Orleans.
Total: The total opened at 49.5 and has climbed a couple of points to 51.5.
Baltimore (5-5-0 O/U) has split the over/under evenly, while New Orleans (7-3-0 ATS) has heavily favored the over.
The total has gone over in five of Baltimore’s last six road games and four of New Orleans’ last six at home.
The over has paid out in three straight head-to-head meetings.
Monday Night Football has proven profitable for bettors backing the over this season, with 10 of the 12 games played on a Monday night seeing the total go over.
Furthermore, 29 of 36 prime time games this season have seen the over pay out.
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