Forsett Powers Ravens to Win over New Orleans

Scott Boehem/Getty Images(NEW ORLEANS) — Justin Forsett rushed for a career-high 182 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Baltimore Ravens to a 34-27 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

It was Forsett’s second touchdown of the night that helped the Ravens (7-4) pull away while on the road.

“The offensive line did a great job of making those lanes open for me,” Forsett said. “I just tried to seize the moment.”

The game took on a competitive mood from the start, before ultimately turning combative late. Baltimore opened the scoring in the first quarter when Joe Flacco and Steve Smith, Sr. connected for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

New Orleans (4-7) countered with a scoring drive of their own, capped off by Drew Brees’ 10-yard strike to Jimmy Graham.

After Forsett’s first touchdown scamper gave the Ravens another lead, the Saints scored 10 straight points to take a 17-14 lead into halftime.

However, Baltimore received the second half kickoff and promptly tied the game on Justin Tucker’s 31-yard field goal. The game then took a turn as Brees was picked off by Will Hill, who returned it 44 yards for a touchdown, allowing the Ravens to regain the lead.

A Shayne Graham field goal got New Orleans within one possession, but Forsett broke a 20-yard run off the left side to make it a 34-20 lead with less than three minutes to play. The Baltimore defense would hold strong, only allowing a last minute touchdown pass from Brees. 

Both teams remained at, or near, the top of their division standings. The Ravens are a half game behind Cincinnati (7-3-1) in the AFC North while New Orleans is tied with the Atlanta Falcons (4-7) in the NFC South.

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