After what looked like a good start for a change Thursday night, the Saints usual problems added up to another loss in the preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens 23-14.
The Saints got on the board first with a 36-yarder from Kai Forbath on their first drive after forcing the Ravens to punt.
Another three-and-out led to another field goal, this time from Connor Barth who nailed one from 40 yards out to give the Saints a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Just as the Saints seemed to have an early edge, the Ravens got on the board with a 46-yarder from Justin Tucker to cut the lead in half. Later in the quarter, Baltimore would march down the field and tie things up with another one going through the uprights courtesy of Tucker.
The tie would not last long though, as the Ravens would score off of a fumble recovery in the endzone from Michael Pierce to make it 13-6. The Ravens would add another field goal to head into the locker room with a comfortable 16-6 lead at the half.
Neither team would score until the fourth quarter after a lengthy drive from Baltimore led to a two-yard touchdown run from Josh Johnson that made it 23-6. The Saints would respond with a long drive of their own that ended with Garrett Grayson connecting with Austin Johnson on a three-yard pass. A successful two point conversion from rookie Daniel Lasco cut away at the deficit, but it was too little too late as the Ravens would run the clock out to come away with the victory.
The Saints open up the regular season at home against the Oakland Raiders with kickoff set for 12 pm.
-Clint Domingue