The Baltimore Ravens suffered a late 24-17 defeat to the New Orleans Saints Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, extending their struggles to close out games. Under first-year head coach Jesse Minter, Baltimore entered the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead but was unable to hold on, marking the 15th time since 2019 that the team has lost a game after leading in the final quarter — the most such instances in the NFL during that period.
The Saints secured the victory with just over 90 seconds remaining when quarterback Tyler Shough scored on a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line on fourth down, a play upheld after a replay review. This touchdown capped a 16-play, 68-yard drive that highlighted Baltimore’s defensive difficulties in critical moments.
The Ravens’ offensive woes were evident in the second half. Despite an effective ground game in the first 30 minutes, featuring Derrick Henry’s 51 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, the running back was limited to five carries for 17 yards over the final half. Baltimore managed only 84 total yards in the second half and converted just two third downs, while the Saints successfully converted 8 of 15 third downs and two fourth downs.
A key moment occurred midway through the fourth quarter with the game tied at 17 and a third-and-one from their own 37-yard line. Instead of handing the ball to Henry, the Ravens opted for a deep pass play, which fell incomplete. Minter defended the call, noting New Orleans had stacked the box on that play. The pass attempt targeted Chris Moore, who was signed to the active roster earlier in the week due to injuries to key wide receivers Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane.
Defensively, Baltimore recorded three sacks but struggled to pressure Shough consistently. The Saints quarterback completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards, including a go-ahead 21-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave with under 10 minutes remaining, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by Travis Etienne Jr.
Penalties further hampered the Ravens, with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson flagged for roughing the passer on New Orleans’ final scoring drive. A holding penalty on safety Jaylinn Hawkins also extended the Saints' possession on a crucial two-point conversion attempt.
Despite the defeat, Baltimore found some offensive success, highlighted by Rashod Bateman’s 22-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter that gave the Ravens a 14-3 lead. However, a breakdown in coverage on the ensuing kickoff allowed the Saints to respond with a field goal before halftime.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson acknowledged the team’s recurring difficulties in securing late leads, citing untimely penalties and momentum shifts as ongoing challenges. Veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell emphasized the importance of responding to adversity to define the team’s identity moving forward.
With the loss, Baltimore’s recent home performance remains concerning, as the team has gone 3-7 over its past 10 games at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens now face the challenge of addressing these persistent issues as they look ahead in the season.