Expert predictions for Ravens vs. Saints: Will Baltimore win home opener?

The Ravens (1-0) will face the New Orleans Saints (0-1) in their home opener at 1 p.m. Sunday. Here are game predictions from The Banner’s sports staff and a guest picker.

Trey Hendrickson’s game looms large

Kyle Goon, columnist (1-0): Pressures are great. Sacks are better. Can Trey Hendrickson shake up Tyler Shough? That’s been the promise behind the Ravens’ biggest free-agent signing. Last week, Hendrickson caused havoc along the Colts front but was held up from notching his first Baltimore sack.

I suspect the Saints will have a tough time corralling Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ rushing game after coughing up a ton of yardage to the Lions in Week 1. But, to keep this from becoming a shootout, Baltimore’s defensive front needs to bother Shough. Given enough time, the Saints QB is more than capable of making this a tight one. It’s up to Hendrickson (and the rest of the Ravens’ pass rushers) to keep him in a blender.

Ravens 38, Saints 17

Another opportunity for the offense

Giana Han, reporter (1-0): The Saints played the Lions close, helped by a standout performance from wide receiver Chris Olave. The Ravens defense will be put to the test again, but the one it passed last week featured great players as well. Meanwhile, the Saints defense struggled in Week 1, which sets up the chance for another high-scoring day for the Ravens.

Ravens 38, Saints 21

Home sweet home

Jonas Shaffer, reporter (1-0): Don’t let the 31 points the Saints allowed Sunday fool you. Their defense had a good game against an explosive Lions attack. New Orleans held Detroit to 5.1 yards per play and allowed just two drives of at least 50 yards — and the second came in overtime. The Saints had a top-15 defense last season, too, and might not have to worry about stopping Zay Flowers. But the Ravens’ defense should be the best unit in this game. Tyler Shough had 85 yards passing at halftime against a mediocre Lions secondary. The Ravens have the talent to keep Chris Olave from taking over, and an eager M&T Bank Stadium crowd should give them an edge in high-leverage spots.

Ravens 24, Saints 13

Trickier than it looks

Childs Walker, contributor (1-0): The Ravens were one of the best teams in the NFL in Week 1, so it’s no surprise they’re heavy favorites for their home opener. But this matchup could be trickier than it appears. Zay Flowers was the guy who made their offense special against the Colts, and he might not play. The Saints and quarterback Tyler Shough, meanwhile, showed how explosive they can be in rallying to force overtime against the Lions. Detroit sacked Shough five times and picked him off twice, so the Ravens will have chances to hand Lamar Jackson the short fields he capitalized on in their opener. Jesse Minter’s defense closed effectively in Indianapolis and will need an equally effective second-half pass rush this week. That, combined with another big day from Derrick Henry, will be too much for the Saints to surmount.

Ravens 30, Saints 23

Home cookin’

Brandon Weigel, editor (1-0): Last week I predicted the Ravens would look a little uneven under the leadership of an entirely new coaching staff. Aside from the Colts’ first possession of the game, that was unfounded. The offense was humming against Indianapolis, and the defense clamped down when it needed to after allowing an opening 65-yard touchdown drive.

New Orleans put up a strong fight against the Detroit Lions in Week 1, scoring 24 second-half points to force overtime. The Saints may have even won if not for a questionable interpretation of what constitutes a forward pass. But they’re still one of the weakest teams in perhaps the NFL’s worst division. Even with a possibly shorthanded wide receiver corps, the Ravens should ball out for the hometown fans.

Ravens 27, Saints 14

Guest pick

Erin Summers, Bleav in Saints: After a tale of two halves in Detroit, the Saints look for a fast start in Baltimore. New Orleans has gone scoreless in the first quarter in 12 of 18 games under head coach Kellen Moore, which could be problematic against a Ravens offense that scored 31 first-half points last week. The Saints will also need to control the line of scrimmage after Baltimore’s front produced nine quarterback hits and a 51% pressure rate in Week 1. Running back Alvin Kamara returns alongside Travis Etienne Jr., giving New Orleans another opportunity to establish a ground game after ranking 28th in rushing last season.

On defense, the Saints will need to be disciplined against quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, maintaining their gaps and tackling as a unit after allowing Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs to rush for 156 yards and two touchdowns. There are plenty of areas for New Orleans to focus on, but ultimately the Ravens’ offensive firepower will be too much for them to overcome.

Ravens 31, Saints 24