It's easy to grin, when your ship has come in,
And you have the stock market beat,
But the man who's worthwhile, is the man who can smile,
When his shorts are too tight in the seat.

- Judge Smails

So, here we are. The team is 3-5, we're coming off a loss snatched from the jaws of victory, and our offensive line is in shambles. Add to the mix Matthew Stafford in concussion protocol, and things look especially bleak.

And yet, there's this little voice in me that says: "the next two games are very winnable. We can get to 5-5 and then, who knows?" It whispers to me about the return of Coleman Shelton and others. It tells me not to give up hope.

Should I listen to that voice?

Despite my generally logical mind and healthy perspective on things, I still feel each loss. And, make no mistake... they hurt even more now, when we've had a successful team for years, than they did in the dark days before McVay.

So, should I continue to allow the little voice to talk me into having hope?

For me, the answer is still "yes."

Until the Rams are eliminated, I'm still going to entertain visions of an historic turnaround and another playoff run. I can't help myself, I suppose. More importantly, I don't want to stop hoping.

Hope followed by disappointment is hard. But hope rewarded is the sweetest prize for a sports fan.

So, here I am... still hoping. Until the bitter end.

(And then I'll have hope for 2023.)

Atlanta vs. Carolina: Falcons Aim for Season Sweep of Panthers on TNF​

Just 11 days after meeting in a dramatic, overtime game, the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers will meet once again, this time for "Thursday Night Football" at Bank of America Stadium.

The I-85 Rivalry needed an extra period for the first time in 35 matchups when they met in Week 8 — although not without controversy.

Down six points, DJ Moore caught a record 62-yard touchdown pass with just 12 seconds left but was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for removing his helmet after leaving the end zone. After moving back 15 yards, Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro missed the 48-yard PAT — and later a 32-yard field goal in overtime — which gave Atlanta the chance to win.

But regardless of how their last game ended up, the result is a Falcons (4-5) team atop the NFC South this late in the season for the first time since 2016. As for the Panthers? They have the second-worst record in the NFL at 2-7.

A lot can change in a few weeks, especially in a historically topsy-turvy division like the NFC South. Can the Falcons continue their strong play and take another game from their rivals? Or will the Panthers get revenge for a game they feel they should have won two weeks ago?

Thursday Night Football: Atlanta (4-5) at Carolina (2-7)

Kickoff: Thursday, Nov. 10 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Broadcast Outlet: Prime Video
Live Stream: fuboTV (only available in Atlanta and Charlotte markets)
Spread: Falcons -3
Tickets: As low as $45 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Can Carolina stop Atlanta from running wild again?

Much of Atlanta's success this season has come from running the ball effectively. They rank fourth in rushing offense (162.9 ypg) and eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the third time last season, thanks in large part to the return of Cordarrelle Patterson.

Notably, Patterson was sidelined when these teams met two weeks ago and the Falcons still ran for 167 yards on 36 carries. Given, we're dealing with small sample sizes since he's only played in five games, but Patterson is putting up massive numbers at 5.4 yards per carry and a 39.4 percent DVOA, which leads all running backs with at least 71 rushing attempts.

Patterson's return (and rookie Tyler Allgeier's improved play) will make for a tougher challenge for an up-and-down Panthers run defense. They rank 28th in stopping the run (139.3 ypg) in large part because opponents have run on them more often (31.2 attempts per game) than all but one team. Their rate stats — 32 percent run stop win rate (sixth), 4.5 yards per attempt (16th), 4.53 adjusted line yards (17th) — are much more impressive.

Still, Joe Mixon and the Bengals ran roughshod over them last week, to the tune of 241 yards and five touchdowns on 39 carries. The Panthers won't stand a chance if the Falcons can keep ranking up five-plus yards per attempt — they'll be able to bleed the clock dry and literally run away with it.

2. Which P.J. Walker will show up?

The flip side of the Falcons running wild on the Panthers two weeks ago is that Walker had one of the best NFL games of his career. The problem is he's been borderline unplayable in most other games.

Walker became the fourth passer this season to throw for more than 300 yards against the Falcons in Week 8. He completed 19 of 36 passes for 317 yards with a touchdown and interception while only taking one sack. Amazingly, that's actually 11 more yards than he's thrown for in his other four games combined.

Now (small sample size alert) Walker has only averaged 13.5 attempts in those four games (three starts), but he's suffered from poor accuracy (58.9 percent completion rate; 22.5 percent bad-throw rate) all season long.

Considering how high the Panthers are likely to draft next season, Walker is unlikely to be the starter for long. But the Panthers need him to show up to have a chance this week, and he needs another strong game against a weak pass defense (300.0 ypg, 32nd) to secure a roster spot going forward. This is his golden opportunity.

3. The Eddy Piñeiro redemption tour

It's hard to have as bad of a day in the office as Piñeiro had in Atlanta. He had two chances to win the game and missed both. And it's not like he's had a bad season either, as he was 14-for-15 on field goals and 12-for-12 on PATs before those misses.

Oddly enough, Piñeiro never got a chance to redeem himself in last week's loss to the Bengals. He was perfect on three PATs but didn't attempt a field goal. The Panthers faced fourth-and-7 from the Bengals' eight-yard line and actually scored a touchdown, but that may not have indicated a lack of faith in the kicker as much as they were down 35 points and needed a touchdown (or five).

Given that the Falcons rank 31st in total defense and 26th in scoring defense, Piñeiro should have an opportunity to exorcise some demons against the Falcons. It should be interesting to see how much interim head coach Steven Wilks trusts him, especially from long range. With the tight margins last game, it could come down to Piñeiro once again.

Final Analysis

It's easy to say that the Panthers barely lost on the road and therefore should stand a better chance of winning at home, but the addition of Patterson is a giant difference-maker for Atlanta. And given Walker's track record this season, it's unlikely he has another giant passing day. Don't expect a blowout, but Atlanta should be able to pick up a road win to return to .500.

Prediction: Falcons 26, Panthers 24

Jake Ellenbogen has the clip up on his youtube channel.

THAT was some serious effort by Wagner! Hell of a play.

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Ugh!

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Rams OL Chandler Brewer looks back at his first career start in Tampa & all he overcame to get there | Featured on Rams Revealed Ep. 93​

Most weeks, Chandler Brewer lines up against the best in the sport. He just does it on the practice fields in Thousand Oaks rather than on Sundays at SoFi Stadium.

But when the 25-year-old offensive lineman made his first NFL start in Week 9 at Tampa Bay, the moment wasn't too big for him, in part because of the inventory he's built up working against Aaron Donald.

"Going against 99, going against those guys, the 'one defense,' they're great players," Brewer said. "You know they're going to make you better, and I'm just trying to make them better, as well."

For the better part of his career, Brewer's role has been to provide realistic looks for Donald, Greg Gaines, A'Shawn Robinson and the Rams defensive front. Last week was different. For the first time as a professional, he was preparing to start. Or perhaps a more accurate description of Brewer's state of mind? He had been prepared to start.

"I was a lot more calm than I thought I would be," the Alabama native said of stepping onto the field at Raymond James Stadium.

It showed in his performance. Pro Football Focus awarded him with the highest game grade of any Rams lineman. Brewer was pleased, but mostly with the 57 snaps of live game film to study and use as a foundation.

"I looked at it as a good step in the right direction."

There have been many steps – several of them uncertain – leading to that accomplishment. In June of 2018, the summer before his senior year at Middle Tennessee State, Brewer received a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis. He had a lymph node removed, then treated another spot on his leg with five weeks of radiation. He feels thankful to have avoided chemotherapy, and to have been put in remission with annual checkups scheduled each December.

However, when the pandemic struck in 2020, his experience as a cancer survivor colored his choices.

"Hardest decision I've ever had to make," Brewer said of opting out of that NFL season. "But I think it was the right one."

After months away from football for the first time in his career, he had every intention of returning to the Rams. But as a college free agent, nothing was guaranteed. He was waived at the end of training camp in 2021 and spent the Super Bowl season on the practice squad. The same two-step occurred this summer. Finally, due to attrition on the Rams offensive line, Brewer was signed to the active roster as the team travelled to face the Buccaneers.

It was the moment that paid off all his patience.

"Yeah it (did). So many times just waiting for my opportunity. Just sticking in there and grinding no matter what happens," Brewer said. "To finally get that opportunity, it was awesome."

For more on Brewer's football upbringing, his love of the outdoors, and a preview of the Week 10 contest against the Arizona Cardinals, join us for this week's Rams Revealed on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.

Rams OL Chandler Brewer on overcoming adversity to reach his first NFL start | Rams Revealed Ep. 93

Ever wonder why when we lose there's like 7 million pages in the Vent thread, and only about 3 pages in the Celebration thread when we win?

Ever wonder why when we lose there's like 7 million threads about why we lost and why we're so bad, and only about 3 spinoff threads when we win?

I'm looking at most of the 7 million threads and read all of the 7 million pages in the Vent thread, and wonder why? I already know that

• Evans ain't playing well
• Our OL has been hit by lightning multiple times
• Our Offense is historically bad right now
• Our Defense has serious scheme issues
• There is no winning the argument over whether the D or O is to blame, since it doesn't matter. We ain't going to the playoffs unless both play better

But yet I read on and create threads (like this one!), so why?

It hurts more to lose than it feels good to win, that's why. Poker player's credo, you rarely remember the wins, but you will ALWAYS remember EVERY bad beat. The ones where you had the guy beat and he draws his 1-52 chance card on the river.

So I'm thankful this board exists, because I think without it I'd be in jail right now, or at least in my wife's doghouse.

Vent indeed!

Dang, I remember thinking how much of a steal Burgess was. He was playing good football as a rookie. Guess he hasn't been the same after the injury

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holy shit the difference in not only the time but the fact that often the defensive lineman are not even close to Stafford

its crazy

Andrew Whitworth
Miss you, big guy. You were the glue and anchor that held the OL together and protected Mattew Stafford's back. We miss your leadership and presence. But, when I think of you, happily retired, content with your glorious exit, I smile. Godspeed.

Von Miller
You played a key role in our championship run and, for that, I am grateful. In the end, though, our relationship was a business transaction. You were a rented player, and I was a rented fan. The lease has expired. I wish you well.

Odell Beckham, Jr.
You came to us at a down point and, together, we achieved a great deal. Your injury was untimely, and I will forgive you if your opportunities take you elsewhere. If you do parlay last season into a lucrative deal elsewhere, speak of us well.

Eric Weddle
What an amazing story your unexpected final chapter produced. We'll never forget it, and I'm sure you won't either.

Sony Michel
Don't know what you've got, 'till its gone.

Austin Corbett
In some ways, we miss you most of all.

Having Shelton back would be huge.

LT Nsekhe
LG Shelton
C Allen
RG Jackson
RT Havenstein

That would be a decent OL and get this offense back on track.

For me, its still a bit too early for mock drafts, but here is my current "watch list" of players I could see as potential targets from the Rams in the 2023 draft (listed alphabetically):

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE/EDGE, Northwestern
Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
Zach Harrison, DE/EDGE, Ohio State
Will McDonald, EDGE
Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas
Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse
Jared Verse, EDGE, FSU
Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

Jeopardizing the future to go all in for a championship last year? I'd say a resounding HELL YES!

Here is the week 10 lineup:

Thursday, November 10, 2022

TNF
Atlanta at Carolina, 8:15 p.m.

Sunday, November 13, 2022

THE EARLY GAMES
Seattle vs. Tampa Bay (Munich, Germany), 9:30 a.m.
Minnesota at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Detroit at Chicago, 1 p.m.
Jacksonville at Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Cleveland at Miami, 1 p.m.
Houston at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
New Orleans at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Denver at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

THE LATE GAMES
Indianapolis at Las Vegas, 4:05 p.m.
Dallas at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.
Arizona at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.

SNF
Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco, 8:20 p.m.

Monday, November 14, 2022

MNF
Washington at Philadelphia, 8:15 p.m.

Byes: Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, New York Jets

There wasn’t much to like about the Rams’ performance against the Buccaneers on Sunday, particularly when it comes to the offense. They gained just 206 yards and had nine first downs, one of the worst showings of the Sean McVay era.

Pro Football Focus’ grades reflected the Rams’ poor play, with very few players on offense earning high marks.


Here’s a look at the top performers on offense and defense from Week 9.

Top 5 offense

• WR Cooper Kupp: 72.7
• RG Chandler Brewer: 70.8
• WR Allen Robinson: 68.8
• LT Alaric Jackson: 66.9
• RB Darrell Henderson Jr.: 65.5

It’s telling that the Rams’ highest-graded player on offense was Kupp at 72.7, which is well below his season average and his second-worst grade of the season.

Brewer played relatively well in place of Oday Aboushi at right guard, allowing only one pressure and zero QB hits. Jackson was solid, too, earning the highest pass-blocking grade (85.6) on the team.

Henderson was the highest-graded running back on the Rams this week, rushing for 56 yards on 12 attempts.

Top 5 defense

• CB Troy Hill: 90.4
• LB Bobby Wagner: 82.8
• DT Aaron Donald: 78.6
• LB Ernest Jones: 77.4
• CB Jalen Ramsey: 73.1

Troy Hill was limited in his first game back against the 49ers but the Rams unleashed him Sunday and he excelled. He allowed four catches on eight targets, only giving up 13 yards and breaking up two passes – one of which was nearly picked.

Wagner and Jones stood out at linebacker, helping shut down the Buccaneers’ running game. Donald and Ramsey did their usual work, with Donald recording one sack and Ramsey breaking up two passes, including the fourth-down pass in the end zone intended for Mike Evans.

Bottom 5 offense

• TE Brycen Hopkins: 53.9
• QB Matthew Stafford: 49.9
• TE Tyler Higbee: 45.5
• WR Van Jefferson: 42.4
• LG Bobby Evans: 35.4

There was nothing positive from this group, and four of them are starters. Stafford struggled in this one, getting very few opportunities to throw the ball because of the offense’s inefficiency – which was partly his fault.

Higbee was targeted only once and didn’t catch the pass, so it was another quiet week for him. Jefferson saw five passes thrown his way and dropped one of them, a deep crosser where he was wide open.

Evans put together another abysmal showing at left guard, finishing with a pass-blocking grade of 13.6 – lower than last week’s 15.5 grade and his third game with a mark under 20.

Bottom 5 defense

• OLB Leonard Floyd: 60.0
• S Nick Scott: 59.1
• NT Greg Gaines: 57.3
• CB Derion Kendrick: 48.8
• OLB Terrell Lewis: 42.4

Floyd and Lewis combined for three total pressures, though it seemed like Lewis was having a decent game with one tackle for a loss and a near-interception on a screen pass that he cut in front of.

Scott missed three tackles, which weighed down his grade, while Kendrick missed two tackles of his own and allowed 71 yards in coverage on 10 targets. He was also called for two pass interference penalties.

Other notables

• CB David Long Jr.: 70.0
• S Taylor Rapp: 63.6
• RT Rob Havenstein: 60.8
• C Brian Allen: 57.7
• RB Cam Akers: 54.2

Akers earned a grade of just 54.2 in his return, carrying it five times for just 3 yards. Allen allowed one sack and two total pressures, struggling against Vita Vea like Evans did.

Havenstein gave up two pressures, too. Rapp and Long gave up 39 yards combined in coverage; Long also missed one tackle..

For Peyton and Eli.
I cannot stand Aikman and Buck.

Am I take only one?

When our offense was truly formidable under Sean both the run and pass were a threat.

Even last year the run game was abysmal most of the time.

The decline in the ability to run the ball has gradually chipped away at the effectiveness of the offense over the years.

How about firing Coen and Morris, to begin with? Time to try Thomas Brown as OC. If people think Coen hasn't changed the offense go back and compare this offense since 2018 and you will see Coen is playing a very bland standard offense. No imagination, no innovation. It's something every team has seen so it's way too easy for them to defend.

Brown has been on this staff long enough to understand its strengths and weaknesses. They have seen the innovative style that used to be McVay's offense. This stale puke of an offense is pure BS and IMO is pure Coen. The offense has never been this bad even when they had Goff and a bad OL in 2019. If Sean is going to make changes it must start with his staff or the players will see it's all on them with no staff accountability.

Another very experienced option for OC is Greg Olson. He might not be the best option, but he's seen it all. He understands what it takes to jump start a stale offense. My point being is that the Rams do have internal options.

Morris showed he can play the defense aggressively so why the hell doesn't he do it? He did it in the playoffs but now he's back to his good enough style of prevent as his base. Sorry, it ain't good enough. People cherry-pick the stats to try to prove he's good enough. But this last game showed just how bad he is. I think it's time to bring in some fresh thinking.

I think it's time to quit holding back a rising star on the defensive staff. Eric Henderson is the reason the only successful part of the defense is the DL. He is a big reason AD is who he is. Henderson has earned the respect of the players. AD's ability to move anywhere on the DL didn't just happen. Henderson was a big part of Staley's success. He knows how to use the defensive personnel.

Time to bench Kendrick who keeps showing he lacks the speed and quickness to play outside in the NFL. Time to give Rochell his starting position opposite Ramsey. I think Lewis has shown all he can be which is not enough as a starter. I'd rather see Jonah Williams or Hoecht at DE. Both have the strength and speed lacking in Lewis. It's clear Lewis' injury has affected his explosion just like it did with Akers. Lewis has not shown the same kind of explosive style of play he did in college.

Regarding the OL I think it's time to mine the FA list. There are guys like Fred Johnson and Deonte Brown who are better than Evans and who have experience. IMO either one can come in and be a serviceable replacement. This OL just needs to be serviceable, i.e. it needs to quit allowing quick pressure on passing downs and understand blocking fundamentals in the run game. Fix the OL and Stafford will quit being gun shy.

Time to activate Kyren Williams. They let Michel walk because of Williams. Well, it's time to get the kid on the field behind Henderson. Time to either play either Jared Pinkley or Roger Carter as a lead blocker. Time to play 12 personnel to extend the OL and take some pressure off of the OL.

Time to shuffle the OL and start:

LT Nsekhe
LG Jackson
C Allen
RG Fred Johnson or Deonte Brown/ or some other OG signed off of a PS or UFA list
RT Havenstein

McVay needs to go back and use the pass to set up the run. Sean needs to scheme his WRs back into their layered system with a quick dump off option via TE, or FB.

McVay needs to do more than just lip service to making changes. IMO that means changes start at the staff level. With internal promotions, it means less disruption. Return to what worked with Staley and his combo zone/man scheme. Use a lead blocker as an extension of the blocking scheme in the run game.

My son took this pic at the Tampon game yesterday.

I have to say that this is the Final Word on Bulger. This settles it.

What say you ?

Wade Phillips was criticized for his bend not break defense and was let go because of it.

The crux of McVay's reasoning was that he wanted a guy to approach the D, like he did with the offense (ironic given the state of our offense right now, but not relevant). By that he meant get away from one size fits all, and put a plan together each week that attacks the opponent's weaknesses, limits their strengths.

Staley came in, and was given credit for doing just that.

So my question. What changed? Did he stop caring about this?

No matter where you end up on the "How good is our defense?" spectrum, you have to admit it's the same each week and does not adapt like McVay preached a few years ago.

The stats show a 1-100 chance of losing that game on that last drive. Yet I was not at all confident we would hold them. I really want to know why.

Anybody cap savvy? If we need to move on from him after this terrible season what are the cap problems? Can we release him? Of course maybe he can rebound after this season and a reworking of the O line, but he looks just bad at this point.

Baltimore vs. New Orleans Saints: Week 9 Wraps with the Ravens and Saints in the Big Easy on MNF​

Two playoff hopefuls on the upswing will meet on "Monday Night Football" when the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints meet in the Caesars Superdome.

The Ravens (5-3) overcame a 10-3 halftime deficit last Thursday night to win at Tampa Bay, 27-22. Lamar Jackson served as a potent dual threat. He completed 27 of 38 passing attempts for 238 yards and two touchdowns while rushing nine times for 43 yards. After allowing 10 points on the first two drives, Baltimore's defense forced five straight punts, with only two first downs along the way. Meanwhile, the Ravens scored on all four of its second-half drives — ignoring two kneel-downs to end the game.

The Saints' (3-5) defense finally lived up to its presumed potential by squashing the Raiders last Sunday. Las Vegas did not cross the 50-yard line until two minutes remained in the contest and only compiled only 183 yards. In contrast, Alvin Kamara alone gained 158 yards from scrimmage, 62 on the ground and 96 through the air.

The Ravens lead this series 5-2 and have won both previous meetings in New Orleans. The Saints won the most recent matchup, 24-23, in 2018, although Joe Flacco was still Baltimore's starting quarterback at the time.

Monday Night Football: Baltimore (5-3) at New Orleans (3-5)

Kickoff: Monday, Nov. 8 at 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Ravens -3
Tickets: As low as $54 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Can the Saints' defense contain Lamar Jackson?

Jackson remains one of the NFL's greatest rushers among all players, not just quarterbacks. His average of 69.1 rushing yards per game is tops among quarterbacks and the 15th highest among all players. He has picked up 31 first downs, the most by a quarterback and the seventh-highest number in general. Notably, his number of carries (75) ranks as only 34th, allowing him to lead the league in yards per carry at 7.4. He has served as an important component, but not the sole contributor, to a rushing attack that ranks second in the league (165.6 ypg).

Opposing quarterbacks have had some success vs the Saints' defense. The eight quarterbacks who have faced New Orleans have combined for 136 yards on 31 attempts with two touchdowns. Three weeks ago, Joe Burrow only carried the ball four times but accounted for 25 yards and a touchdown. In the following game, Kyler Murray rushed seven times for 30 yards.

2. What difference can Roquan Smith and David Ojabo make to Baltimore's defense?

The Ravens have shown vulnerability to opponents' aerial attacks. They have allowed 266.8 passing yards per game, which ranks them 28th in the NFL. Opponents have scored 12 touchdowns through the air in eight games (also have eight interceptions), but reinforcements are expected to bolster the defense this week.

Baltimore traded a second- and fifth-round pick plus A.J. Klein to Chicago for star linebacker Roquan Smith and activated rookie second-rounder David Ojabo as well as Tyus Bowser from the PUP list. All three are expected to debut with their new teams in this game.

These two linebackers might be able to increase pressure on the Saints. After moving on from blitz-happy defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Baltimore has blitzed just 21.8 percent of the time, 22nd in the NFL. Nevertheless, they are tied for fifth with 23 sacks.

Poor tackling seems to account for the vulnerability to passing attacks. Opponents have compiled 1,089 yards after catches, the third-highest total among the 32 teams. The Ravens also have been credited with 47 missed tackles, which ties them for fifth most in the league.

The three linebackers seem primed to help the pass rush. In eight games with the Bears, Smith recorded 2.5 sacks and three hits on the quarterback. He also defended against three passes and intercepted two. Ojabo and Bowser may be eased back into action after returning from torn Achilles injuries. Expectations are high for Ojabo, who was a first-round talent and fell because of the injury.

3. Can the Raven grab an early lead and hold onto it?

Baltimore has struggled in the fourth quarter all season. Opponents have outscored the Ravens 83-35 in the final fifteen minutes. The Dolphins used a 28-3 fourth quarter to overcome Baltimore's 21-point lead. The Bills scored the only points, a field goal, to break a tie in the final quarter for the victory. The Giants scored two touchdowns in the last six minutes to erase the Ravens' ten-point advantage.

New Orleans has stumbled out of the gate in most matchups yet rebounded in the second half, not losing by more than 10 points in any game. The Saints have outpaced their adversaries 37-27 in the third quarter. In the final quarter of games, the Saints have outscored opponents 77-70. Unfortunately for the Saints, they have trailed after the third quarter in four contests but only pulled out a victory once.

Final Analysis

The Ravens will return home for their bye week after leaving New Orleans. This is their second consecutive game on the road. A victory in the Crescent City would ensure their maintaining the lead in the AFC North through Week 10.

The Saints dug themselves into a hole with their 2-5 start. Fortunately for them, their shutout of the Raiders combined with the Buccaneers' loss to the Ravens made the hole seem less deep. Running quarterbacks like Jackson have given the Saints fits in recent years. That does not appear likely to change in this matchup.

Prediction: Ravens 27, Saints 16