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Final Score
Baltimore Ravens: 0-13-0-7 — 23
New Orleans Saints 6-0-0-8 — 14
The New Orleans Saints played their final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Thursday night. New Orleans fell 23-14 to Baltimore in their fourth preseason loss.
Saints head coach Sean Payton opened the game with nearly all of the team’s starters, including quarterback Drew Brees. Brees hadn’t started the fourth preseason game since his first year in New Orleans.
Brees led the offense on a 61-yard field goal drive to give the Saints an early lead. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 40 yards before Luke McCown took over. Running back Mark Ingram had three carries for 21 yards with the first team offense.
Garrett Grayson finished the game for the Saints at quarterback, going 11-of-16 for 98 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions.
The Baltimore Ravens closed the preseason with a perfect 4-0 record. Joe Flacco didn’t play in the preseason finale for the seventh straight year. Ryan Mallett was 8-of-12 passes for 65 yards. Josh Johnson, who is competing with Mallett for the backup spot, had a solid night. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 181 yards and ran in a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
However, the highlight of the game was when nose tackle Michael Pierce sacked Luke McCown in the end zone, forcing a fumble and recovering it for a touchdown. The undrafted rookie out of Samford was trying to make his case for the 53-man roster. Pierce completed the preseason with six solo or assisted tackles, including 1 1/2 sacks and a quarterback hit.
Here’s a look at how the game unfolded:
Saints Settled For a Field Goal on their First Drive
Saints got on the board first with a 36-yard field goal. Although they settled for a field goal, it was a solid opening drive for the Saints. Quarterback Drew Brees was 3-of-6 for 40 yards with no sacks. New Orleans’ ground game also got going thanks to Mark Ingram who ran three times for 21 yards on three straight plays.
Connor Barth Added to the Saints Lead With a 40-Yard Field Goal
Ravens’ Justin Tucker Made a 46-Yard Field Goal
Tucker Tied the Game at 6 With a 39-Yard Field Goal
Ravens Scored the First Touchdown With a Sack-Fumble Recovery
Baltimore took a 13-6 lead when Ravens undrafted rookie NT Michael Pierce sacked Luke McCown, and then recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
Tucker Made His Third Field Goal of the Game to Add to the Ravens Lead
Justin Tucker nailed a 30-yard field goal to give the Ravens a 16-6 lead.
Josh Johnson Scored on a 2-Yard Rush
Nope. Nope. Nope.
You CANNOT let Josh Johnson get out of the pocket. Touchdown 🙌 #BALvsNO t.co/Ep1ZF7rIUe
Josh Johnson scored on a two-yard touchdown run and Justin Tucker hit the extra point. Ravens lead 23-6, with 7 minutes left.
Garrett Grayson Connected With Austin Johnson for a 3-Yard Touchdown
Saints made it 23-14 on a 3-yard Grayson to Austin Johnson touchdown pass and a 2-pt run by Daniel Lasco with 1:53 left in the game.