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New Orleans Saints had their comeback on Week 2, after losing to the Detroit Lions in Week 1. They trailed the Baltimore Ravens 14-3 at halftime before taking over late and winning 24-17 on the road.
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The fourth quarter belonged to New Orleans when they closed the game with 15-point including quarterback Tyler Shough’s game-winning 1-yard touchdown run with 1:28 remaining. Julian Blackmon then intercepted Lamar Jackson to give the final blow to the Ravens.
Sunday’s win has changed how national outlets view New Orleans. The Saints entered Week 2 outside the top 15 in several major rankings. After beating Baltimore, most of those outlets moved New Orleans up, with some now placing the Saints inside the top 15.
Where the Saints Are Ranked Across Major NFL Power Rankings
- USA Today: 14(+3)
- ESPN: 19(+6)
- NFL.com: 7(+7)
- CBS Sports: 18(+5)
- The Athletic: 15(+6)
What National Pundits Are Saying About the Saints’ Power Ranking
“The Saints are a sneaky-tough bunch. New Orleans’ defense managed to limit Baltimore’s powerful offense after getting punched in the mouth early on Sunday. Tyler Shough once again showcased his clutch gene, propelling a 21-3 run to close the game, with the second-year signal-caller taking a brutal hit at the goal line on his fourth-down sneak to score the game-winning touchdown. He’s tough as nails and fits perfectly as the face of the upstart Saints,” Nick Shook of nfl.com said.
“Shough has had two up-and-down games to start the season, but he has been at his best in the fourth quarter, which led to a comeback win against the Ravens. According to ESPN Research, Shough has a 14.3 Total QBR in the opening three quarters of games (29th among 30 qualifying passers this season). In fourth quarters and overtime, he ranks second with a 97.7 QBR. Shough is also 5-of-5 for 127 yards and a touchdown on passes of 15-plus air yards in fourth quarters,” ESPN’s Katherine Terrell wrote.
“That was a nice comeback on the road in beating the Ravens. Tyler Shough is off to a really nice start,” Pete Prisco from CBS Sports wrote.
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“The first-round wide receiver is on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, which is a particular bummer because the Saints would likely be even spicier with him in the lineup. Fourth-round wide receiver Bryce Lance is taking up some of the slack and has four catches for 50 yards through two weeks. Second-round defensive tackle Christen Miller made his debut in Week 1 but was inactive in Week 2,” The Athletic’s Josh Kendall and Chad Graff noted.
Saints’ Strong Run Gives New Orleans Plenty to Build On
The second-year quarterback Shough completed 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore. He also ran for the decisive score, following his 410-yard passing performance against Detroit.
The fourth-quarter trend is becoming impossible to ignore, where New Orleans has shown the ability to rally late in consecutive games. The Saints erased a 21-point deficit against Detroit before falling in overtime, then overcame an 11-point halftime deficit against Baltimore.
New Orleans also got key defensive plays from Chase Young and Julian Blackmon. The Saints now return home at 1-1 to face the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders.
However, there are still areas to fix. The Saints have been slow starters, and their rushing attack remains a concern. Alvin Kamara returned against Baltimore but managed only 15 rushing yards on nine carries, while the team also lost starting left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to a serious ankle injury.
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This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 11:09 PM.