The New Orleans Saints have a tough opening stretch to the 2026 NFL season — and it doesn’t get any easier as it continues in Week 2 with a road trip to Baltimore. After opening the season in Detroit, New Orleans will head to M&T Bank Stadium for another difficult test against one of the NFL’s most physical teams in the Ravens. It’s a challenging way to start the year, especially for a Saints team trying to establish itself early.
Baltimore has handily controlled the all-time series, winning 75% of the meetings between the two franchises. The Ravens also won the most recent matchup during the 2022 season. For the Saints, the game will be about keeping up with one of the NFL’s best, a team built around speed and quarterback play.
Upcoming game in Saints vs. Ravens
- When: Sunday, Sept. 20 (Week 2) at Noon CT
- Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
- Record: Ravens lead 6-2.
Last meeting in Saints vs. Ravens
- Ravens won 27-13 on Nov. 7, 2022.
The Saints last faced the Ravens in 2022, and Baltimore dominated the matchup, winning 27-13 at the Caesars Superdome. Lamar Jackson was the difference, as per usual, extending plays and keeping the Saints’ defense from settling into the game in order to disrupt the Ravens. Baltimore also controlled the game on the ground, rushing for 188 yards on the backs of Jackson and running back Kenyan Drake, who also had two touchdowns. A 14-3 halftime deficit proved insurmountable for the Saints.
Common connections in Saints vs. Ravens
Ravens long snapper Nick Gray, entering his seventh season in Baltimore, first made his way to New Orleans in the spring of 2019, but was waived during training camp. The next offseason, Baltimore signed Gray, and he has been with the team ever since. He also signed a four-year, $6.4 million extension with the team in January.
Notable changes since the last meeting in Saints vs. Ravens
- The Ravens’ addition of former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is the most significant difference since the last matchup against the Saints. He adds a whole new element to a Baltimore offense that was already dynamic enough. In two seasons with the Ravens, Henry has rushed for over 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns.
- Baltimore parted ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh this offseason. They went out and hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to fill the position, though it figures to be big shoes to fill.
- The Ravens agreed to terms on a trade to acquire superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby in exchange for two first-round picks just days before free agency, but the deal fell through after Crosby failed a physical. So, they went out and signed former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract in free agency.
- Former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, who led the team in receiving yards the last time the two teams squared off, signed with the New York Giants this offseason. Baltimore is expected to lean more heavily on veteran tight end Mark Andrews. The Ravens also drafted former SMU tight end Matthew Hibner in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The Ravens lost out on standout interior offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum this offseason after he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. To fill the void, Baltimore selected Penn State standout interior offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane in the first round of the NFL draft.
This is an early-season matchup that can reveal a lot about where the Saints stand talent-wise and physically. Baltimore’s dynamic offense not only tests a defense’s talent, but it also tests discipline, tackling ability, and patience. If New Orleans’ relatively young defense gets fooled once or twice on option plays, it can be the difference maker in a crucial early-season game.
For the Saints’ offense, Tyler Shough and the rest of the group must remain on schedule and avoid obvious long passing situations. If they can stick to the script and handle the environment, they’ll have a greater chance at staying in the game. That also comes with establishing the run game and the running backs’ ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 Saints Schedule: Previewing Week 2 road matchup vs Ravens