When the Saints Come Marching In

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GRAPEVINE - When the Saints Come Marching In

Photo by Sabina Moran

Posted On: 12/16/10

Written By:

Tony Lombardi

LAST TIME THEY MET

The last time the Ravens and the Saints met up was on October 29, 2006 when Steve McNair led the Ravens to a 35-22 victory. McNair passed for two scores and ran for another ending a two-game losing streak. You may recall this was Brian Billick’s first official game as Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator after firing former OC Jim Fassel. The Ravens' defense also had a pair of scores with two 12 yard pick 6’s, both by Louisiana natives Ronnie Perdue (Shreveport) and Dawan Landry (Hahnville). Oops, sorry I meant to say Ronnie Prude…had a Bruce Cunningham moment there… ;-)

DOMERS OUTDOORS: It’s safe to say that dome teams don’t do as well in the elements, particularly those in December. Since Sean Payton took over the Saints in 2006 they are 2-4 in games where the temperature is less than forty degrees. Their victories were at the expense of the Redskins (2009) and a couple of weeks back against the banged up Bengals.

DID YOU KNOW?

* The Ravens are 14-6 all time in games held in Baltimore against teams that play their home games in a dome or retractable roof stadium. Baltimore is 10-4 in those contests that have been played in the months of November/December.

** The Ravens are 11-2 in Baltimore all time against NFC teams that play their home games indoors, winning five straight contests. The last “indoor” team to play the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium was Detroit in 2009 (12/13), in a game Baltimore won 48-3.

*** The defending Super Bowl Champion Saints are in the midst of a six-game winning streak. Drew Brees has been on fire and is among the leaders in nearly every meaningful passing category. That said, he’s also the league leader in interceptions with 18. Look out for emerging RB Chris Ivory who has rushed for 683 yards on 130 carries and 5 TDs.

**** The Saints 5^th ranked passing defense has been stingy, allowing a league-low 8 passing TDs and just 213.7 passing yards per game. Fourteen different players have recorded sacks, with DT Sedrick Ellis leading the charge with 5 QB drops.

Here’s a fact to warm your bones during this frigid December… The Ravens’ record at home vs. the NFC in their last 15 games played in Baltimore is 14-1, winning eight in a row.

The Ravens can clinch a playoff spot if:

The Ravens win along with Indianapolis loss/tie and San Diego loss/tie

The Ravens win along with Indianapolis loss/tie, Miami loss/tie and Kansas City loss

The Ravens tie along with Miami loss/tie, San Diego loss and Indianapolis loss

If you are the kind who likes to keep track of these things you should know that the 49ers travel to San Diego (tonight), the Dolphins host the Bills the Chiefs travel across the State of Missouri to take on the Rams.