PLAYER NOTES
–LG Alex Lewis was carted off the field AND taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after suffering a neck injury IN Week 6 against the Titans. He was listed on the injury report with a pinched nerve. “He’s really kind of day-to-day, which is the best way to describe that kind of injury,” head coach John Harbaugh said. Lewis was moving all his extremities and the early prognosis was positive. “I would say this, that so far, so good. Lewis has a chance to play Week 7 against the Saints.”
–CB Anthony Averett (hamstring) was back on the practice field this week for the first time in almost a month. He has not played since Week 2 against the Bengals. Averett provides valuable depth to the secondary.
–LB Za’Darius Smith was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after finishing with three sacks, one forced fumble and five tackles against the Titans. Smith is an emerging playmaker in the final year of his rookie contract.
–CB Brandon Carr (knee) did not practice Wednesday. He has been dealing with the injury over the past several weeks but has been able to play. Carr has started 166 straight games, the longest active stretch of any defensive player in the NFL.
–DB/LB Anthony Levine Sr. (hamstring) was held out of practice Wednesday. He has been dealing with the injury for past three weeks but has not missed a game. Levine has played a key role in the Ravens’ defense this season.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LB Za’Darius Smith. The emerging playmaker is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could be putting himself in position for a big payday. Last week against the Titans, Smith had a team-high five tackles, including three sacks. He is also tied for fifth in the NFL with 5.5 sacks.
GAME PLAN: The Ravens have been able to beat teams with big plays downfield. There is potential to continue that trend against a Saints secondary that is ranked 17th against the pass. Quarterback Joe Flacco has passed for 1,788 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He has been able to effectively use all of his weapons on offense, most notably Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead IV and John Brown, who is the deep threat.
Baltimore enters the game with the league’s No. 1 overall defense. The key to this game will be tight coverage in the secondary. The Ravens want Saints quarterback Drew Brees to hold onto the ball and eventually succumb to their constant pressure. Baltimore also leads the league with 26 sacks, so the Saints might to want to establish an effective running attack to take some pressure off Brees. New Orleans is ranked 19th, averaging 103.2 yards rushing per game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Ravens secondary vs. Saints QB Drew Brees. Brees has some extra motivation because he will be looking for his 500th career touchdown pass on Sunday. Baltimore is ranked third against the pass and has a deep secondary with cornerbacks Jimmy Smith, Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Carr. Safeties Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson have also been solid.
–Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley vs. Saints DE Cameron Jordan. The Saints will try to pressure Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco into making mistakes. Jordan has five of the team’s 12 sacks this year. The onus will be on Stanley to keep Flacco upright. The left tackle will get some help from his tight ends because the Ravens will want to attack the Saints through the air. Flacco has been sacked 11 times over six games.
