With the quarterback competition between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston getting all of the pregame hype, it was New Orleans Saints running back Tony Jones Jr. who was the star of the first half of the preseason opener vs. the Ravens on Saturday, Aug. 14 in Baltimore.
Jones ran four times for 64 yards, capped by an 18-yard scoring run in the second quarter to give the Saints a 7-3 lead over Baltimore. He also made several key blocks on blitz pickups as the Saints entered halftime up 14-9.
Hill started and went 8 of 12 for 81 yards with one interception. Winston came on in the second quarter and led the Saints on two scoring drives, the second touchdown coming on an 8-yard pass to Lil' Jordan Humphrey. Winston finished the half 7 of 12 for 96 yards with the score and one interception.
The New Orleans lead could have been much larger if not for fumbles by running backs Latavius Murray and Devonte Freeman and the interceptions. The Saints' defense was in midseason form early and limited Baltimore - minus superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson - to just two yards in the first quarter. Defensive lineman Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata were exceptionally disruptive when they were in the game. Rookie cornerback Paulson Adebo also had a strong half and fellow rookie cornerback Bryce Thompson came up with an interception.
The Ravens scored on a 56-yard field goal by Justin Tucker and two field goals by his backup, Jake Verity.
Saints receiver Marquez Callaway had a nice half with three catches for 61 yards.
Numerous Saints players were held out of the game including running back Alvin Kamara, starting tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk and on defense Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Marshon Lattimore all watched from the sideline.
Pregame photos from Baltimore as the New Orleans Saints take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason.
New Orleans Saints wide receivers Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway pregame as the Saints get ready to take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan hits the field early on gameday as the Saints prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and running back Alvin Kamara warmup pregame as the Saints prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and running back Alvin Kamara warmup pregame as the Saints prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson juggles tennis balls pregame ahead of the Saints game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill pregame ahead of the Saints game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill pregame ahead of the Saints game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh talk ahead of their game in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and daughter Meghan Payton share a moment pregame as the Saints prepare to take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
Saints legend Deuce McAllister and new Saints play-by-play announcer Mike Hoss prepare to call the game on WWL Radio as the New Orleans Saints take on the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints pregame photos ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens in week 1 of the 2021 NFL Preseason on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, left, talks with Baltimore Ravens inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan prior to an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston works out prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill throw a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, center, talks with quarterback Jameis Winston (2) prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
New Orleans Saints punter Nolan Cooney, left, hugs quarterback Jameis Winston prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston works out prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton walks on the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Saints fans having fun inside M&T Bank Stadium pregame ahead of the New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens week 1 matchup on Saturday, August 14, 2021 during the 2021 NFL Preseason.
Saints fans having fun inside M&T Bank Stadium pregame ahead of the New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens week 1 matchup on Saturday, August 14, 2021 during the 2021 NFL Preseason.
Saints fans having fun inside M&T Bank Stadium pregame ahead of the New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens week 1 matchup on Saturday, August 14, 2021 during the 2021 NFL Preseason.
Saints fans having fun inside M&T Bank Stadium pregame ahead of the New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens week 1 matchup on Saturday, August 14, 2021 during the 2021 NFL Preseason.
