The New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens engaged in a back-and-forth first half Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with the Saints grabbing a 17-14 lead.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees was sharp in the half, completing 19 of 24 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. The first was a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham in the first quarter and the second was a 26-yard strike to Marques Colston with 17 seconds left in the second quarter. Nine Saints players caught passes in the half.

Ravens running back Justin Forsett led the way with 115 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while veteran Steve Smith caught threee passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Joe Flacco was 7 of 10 for 129 yards with the TD pass to Smith.

Receiver Joe Morgan turned in two big plays for the Saints, a 67-yard run on a reverse and a 62-yard reception that set up the team's touchdown. Other than Morgan's big run the Saints had trouble running against the Ravens as Mark Ingram was held to 0 yards on seven carries.