The New Orleans Saints get a chance to compare their progress against legitimate Super Bowl contenders in their Week 2 tilt against the Baltimore Ravens.
It will be a tale of young head coaches, talented running backs and fun defensive systems. But there are some clear one-on-one matchups that will shape this game from start to finish.
WR Chris Olave vs. CB Marlon Humphrey
After putting up a career high in receiving yards in Week 1, Saints wide receiver Chris Olave will certainly be the focus in the Ravens’ defense. That means other pass-catchers will have to step up and, ideally, a run game will have to formulate.
But if the other options can’t rise to the occasion, Olave’s matchup with the Baltimore secondary will be the most important matchup of the game, headlined by star cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
The corner allowed three catches on his four targets in the Ravens’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. Those receptions amounted to just 28 receiver yards and one yard after catch.
Olave drew receptions with seven different defenders noted in coverage last week, including three for 100 receiving yards against the Detroit Lions’ top cornerback D.J. Reed.
STAR Jonas Sanker vs. WR Zay Flowers
After matching up well against a bigger-bodied and more physical type of receiver in the slot last week, STAR defender Jonas Sanker will now have to match up with speed and quickness while trying to cover Ravens slot wideout Zay Flowers.
Like every good NFL wideout, Flowers also takes snaps outside, but 47.7% of his receptions in 2025 came from the slot.
Like Olave, Flowers had an explosive game Week 1, piling up 150 receiving yards including a 56-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown.
Sanker allowed just four yards in coverage against Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown last week on three targets and two receptions.
LT Kelvin Banks Jr. vs EDGE Trey Hendrickson
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough was sacked five times last weekend but starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was outstanding with only two pressures charted by Pro Football Focus. Those pressures did include a sack, but Banks had an overall good day, especially in overtime.
After facing Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Banks will now draw for Ravens edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who charted four pressures against the Colts in Week 1.
