A reviewed goal-line sneak and a late Lamar Jackson interception sealed a stunning Week 2 upset that revived Baltimore's late-game demons.
Tyler Shough scored on a fourth-down quarterback sneak with 1:28 remaining as the New Orleans Saints rallied from a 17-9 fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Baltimore Ravens 24-17 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, handing the Ravens a home-opening loss in coach Jesse Minter's second game.
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How the Saints Erased a Late Deficit
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Baltimore controlled most of the afternoon, building a 17-9 lead entering the final quarter behind Derrick Henry's 1-yard touchdown run, a 22-yard Lamar Jackson touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, and field goals from Tyler Loop. The Ravens had limited New Orleans to three Daniel Carlson field goals of 23, 47 and 51 yards through three quarters, appearing well positioned to secure a 2-0 start under their new coaching staff.
New Orleans reversed the momentum with two sustained fourth-quarter drives. Shough connected with Chris Olave on a 21-yard touchdown, and Travis Etienne Jr. converted the two-point attempt to tie the game 17-17 with 9:42 remaining, capping a 9-play, 68-yard march that consumed 5:18. The Saints then drove 68 yards over 16 plays and more than six-and-a-half minutes, finishing with Shough's fourth-and-goal sneak from the 1-yard line for the go-ahead score. The touchdown was reviewed and upheld on replay, a decision that became the central postgame controversy in Baltimore.
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Ravens' Offense Stalls While Jackson's Interception Ends Hopes
After surrendering the go-ahead touchdown, Baltimore's offense could not respond. The Ravens managed just one fourth-quarter possession before their final drive, going three-and-out before Jackson's last-gasp series ended in an interception that sealed the loss. Baltimore's offense produced only three points in the second half, a sharp decline after building a 14-6 halftime advantage that included Henry's opening touchdown and Bateman's 22-yard scoring catch.
Statistical recaps show Baltimore outgained New Orleans on the day, with CBS Sports box scores crediting the Ravens with 312 total yards to the Saints' 298, including a 108-68 rushing edge. Yet the turnover margin proved decisive: New Orleans finished with zero giveaways while Jackson's fourth-quarter interception represented Baltimore's lone turnover of the game. Penalties compounded Baltimore's problems, with the Ravens flagged seven times for 34 yards compared to five infractions for 35 yards against New Orleans, repeatedly disrupting drives at inopportune moments.
Shough and Olave Lead Comeback While Bateman Shines in Loss
Shough finished 27-of-34 passing for approximately 252 yards with one passing touchdown, adding two rushing touchdowns including the decisive sneak. His fourth-quarter execution stood out specifically, going 12-of-14 for 119 yards with a passing score and a rushing score during the Saints' comeback stretch. Chris Olave caught eight passes for 86 yards, including the tying touchdown that ignited New Orleans' rally, while Carlson went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts.
For Baltimore, Jackson threw for roughly 235 yards on 21-of-31 passing with one touchdown and the late interception, while getting sacked three times. Bateman emerged as Baltimore's top offensive weapon in Zay Flowers' absence, catching seven of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown. Henry rushed 16 times for 68 yards and a score, though analysts questioned Baltimore's failure to lean more heavily on him late while protecting the lead. Safety Kyle Hamilton recorded 13 tackles, including seven solo stops, reflecting the defensive strain of facing New Orleans' extended possessions.
Controversy Over the Game-Winning Sneak
The replay-upheld touchdown drew sharp reactions inside Baltimore's locker room. Jackson voiced skepticism about the ruling, saying, "On Raven, I don't think they scored," while calling the review "such an interesting" call and ultimately deferring to officials. Minter acknowledged the difficulty of such rulings, noting goal-line calls are "so subjective and it's so hard to tell," before conceding "it is what it is, honestly," while praising his defensive front's earlier goal-line stands.
Beyond the disputed call, Minter placed broader responsibility on his coaching staff and all three phases of the team. "That's the type of game where we need the rush and coverage to win us the game on the last two drives, and we didn't get it done," he said, adding that "it starts with the coaches." Veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell framed the loss as a test of character, saying, "Adversity is a truth teller. And how we respond is going to be crucial to who we are as a team... We can't let games like this slip away."
What the Result Means for Both Franchises
The outcome moved both teams to 1-1, but the emotional weight fell heavier on Baltimore. Coverage from outlets including the Baltimore Sun and Yahoo Sports characterized the collapse as a continuation of late-game failures that plagued the Ravens under the previous coaching staff, undercutting the optimism generated by Minter's Week 1 win over Indianapolis. Baltimore entered the game favored by 8.5 points, making the defeat one of the more notable upsets of the young season.
For New Orleans, the comeback delivered the franchise's first win of the year after an 0-1 start, with team communications describing the club as "fearless" in erasing a 14-3 deficit. The victory reinforces confidence in Shough as the starting quarterback and highlights the Olave-Etienne-Carlson offensive core as capable of sustaining long, high-leverage drives against a respected defense. No formal challenges or disciplinary actions followed the replay controversy, leaving the debate over the game-winning sneak confined to media and fan discourse rather than any official review process.
