Saints vs. Ravens: Time, Channel & Odds

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 24: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens is pursued by Junior Galette #93 of the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 24, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The preseaon opener marks the first time the Saints have played in Baltimore before the regular season. (Getty)

Let’s play some football, shall we? The Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints, both battered slightly by training camp injuries, square off on Thursday night in their mutual preseason opener. After vaguely disappointing seasons for both teams, albeit for very different reasons, both squads are looking to put last year, collectively, behind them tonight and open a brand-new gridiron chapter.

Kickoff for the preseason tilt is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. Here’s what you need to know:


The Basics

Who:
New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

When:
Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Channel:
WVUE, Fox 8 in New Orleans & WBAL, NBC 11 in Baltimore. Click here for a full broadcast schedule.

Where:
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Line:
Ravens -3 (-120)

Last Meeting:
Baltimore 34, New Orleans 27 on November 24 in New Orleans. The Ravens also hold a 2-0 edge in preseason play.


Scouting the Saints

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 21: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 21, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Drew Brees will be without one of his favorite end zone targets, Jimmy Graham, this year as the Saints look to a turn-around from last season’s disappointing finish. (Getty)

The New Orleans Saints did not particularly enjoy last season. In a very bad NFC South, the Saints finished a disappointing 7-9, missing the playoffs and walking away with just three divisional victories.

This year is a brand-new chance though and this is a brand-new team with a noticeably absent Jimmy Graham who was traded to Seattle in the offseason. The Saints released their first unofficial depth chart earlier this week, listing second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and No. 31 overall pick Stephone Anthony on the starting lineup. The chart also lists Brandon Coleman, Lance Lewis, Nick Toon and Joe Morgan as wide receiver backups behind starters Brandin Cooks and Marques Colston.


Scouting the Ravens

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 5: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens argues with the referees in the first half against the Denver Broncos during the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 5, 2013 in Denver Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Ravens coach John Harbaugh will look to define his starting lineup a bit more on Thursday night as several position battles are slated to play out on the field. (Getty)

Baltimore is hurting right now. Badly.

The Ravens have been banged up badly during training camp and among the walking wounded are two of the squads top prospects, Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams. According to the Baltimore Sun, neither of the two rookies, who went No. 1 and No. 2 for the Ravens on draft day, have practiced in several days and they’re both questionable heading into Thursday night. Williams, who was poked in the eye during drills last week, seems more likely to return in the opener while Perriman is doubtful. The wide receiver missed ten consecutive practices after spraining his knee and has yet to go in a full-contact practice.

Other big names likely missing from the Ravens depth chart on Thursday include safety Terrence Brooks, still recovering from a knee injury he sustained last year, and tight end Dennis Pitta who is still on the PUP list.

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