SmashMouth

The New Orleans Saints failed to convert a single third down and left their beleaguered defense on the field for more than 40 minutes in a 22-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Saints ended the preseason at 3-1, the same record they had a year ago. The Ravens finished the exhibition season at 4-0.

The Ravens reached the end zone twice in the final four minutes. The first score was called back because of a penalty, and the other was overturned on review. After all that, Justin Tucker's 24-yard field goal was enough to give the Ravens' an insurmountable two-score margin with 3:49 left.

Tucker had five field goals, and the Ravens scored only one touchdown despite finishing with 436 yards on 79 snaps.

Saints defensive lineman Tyrunn Walker twice swatted down passes to force a field goal. Late in the third, he deflected a throw from quarterback Keith Wenning to force a 32-yard field goal by Tucker.

The Ravens usually fared better on third downs, converting 11 of 18. The Saints were 0-for-7.

The third-down difference had a dramatic impact on time of possession. Baltimore had the ball for more than 42 minutes, while the Saints' offense was on the field for only 17:21.

The Ravens scored their only touchdown when starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor converted a third-and-8 by finding Deonte Thompson in the end zone. The Saints' secondary appeared to be discussing how to assess blame after the play.

The touchdown was one of three big conversions by the Ravens on the drive. Taylor scrambled twice for first downs.

Saints quarterback Ryan Griffin hit Robert Meachem for a 52-yard completion in the second quarter, but that drive stalled near the end zone. Derek Dimke kicked a 23-yard field goal to tie the score at 10.

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