(AFP)
Kenyan Drake rumbled over for two touchdowns as the Baltimore Ravens relied on a powerful running game to defeat the New Orleans Saints 27-13 on Monday.
Ravens running back Drake crashed over from close range for scores in the second and fourth quarters as the Ravens clinched their third straight victory.
Baltimore’s defense also came up big with four sacks as the Saints fell to 3-6 after being restricted to just 238 yards of offense.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson helped open the scoring for Baltimore in the first quarter, rolling out right before picking out a wide open Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown pass.
Drake then crashed over at the start of the second quarter to cap a 12-play 81-yard drive that put Baltimore 14-0 up to subdue the New Orleans home crowd.
The Saints’ only first-half points came from a 33-yard Wil Lutz field goal on the stroke of half-time.
After Justin Tucker and Lutz traded field goals in the third quarter, the Ravens extended their lead when Tucker kicked three more points from 41 yards to make it 20-6 midway through the final quarter.
Drake then barged his way through the Saints defense for his second touchdown of the night to effectively kill off the game as Baltimore took a 27-6 lead.
Juwan Johnson’s touchdown from Andy Dalton’s pass gave New Orleans a glimmer of hope with just over four minutes remaining but it was too little too late as Baltimore held on for a win that leaves them at 6-3 to lead the AFC North.
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