Ravens vs. Saints: Score and Twitter Reaction from Monday Night Football

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Not even the Superdome can reverse the mediocrity of the NFC South.

The Baltimore Ravens went into New Orleans and moved the ball with ease on Monday night, scoring 13 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 34-27 win over the reeling Saints.

The Ravens beat the Saints 34-27! Justin Forsett runs for 182 yards and 2 TDs! http://ift.tt/1r6YU6y

- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 25, 2014

The victory moves the 7-4 Ravens into a three-way tie for second place in the AFC North, just behind the 7-3-1 Cincinnati Bengals. The NFC South, on the other hand, looks increasingly likely to send a .500-or worse-team to the postseason, as the Saints remain tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the division at 4-7.

Ravens are 4-0 vs NFC South this season with win vs Saints. They've won 5 of their last 6 Monday Night Football games

- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 25, 2014

It was a comprehensive offensive attack from Gary Kubiak's squad, which totaled 450 yards. Joe Flacco threw for 243 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions, connecting early and often with Steve Smith Sr. (89 yards, one touchdown) and Torrey Smith (98 yards).

But the star of the night was Justin Forsett, who gashed New Orleans' overmatched front seven for a career-high 182 yards and two touchdowns on just 22 carries.

As ESPN Stats & Info pointed out, the performance kept Forsett, a strong candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, in rare company in 2014:

Justin Forsett joins DeMarco Murray and Antonio Brown as the only players with at least 65 total yards in every game this season.

- ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 25, 2014

The Saints, who lost their third-straight at home, moved the ball similarly well (525 total yards) but inefficiency in the red zone and a second-half pick-six proved to be the difference.

Early on, the Ravens deployed a bend-but-don't-break defense. A pair of goal-line stands turned two 70-plus-yard New Orleans drives into just three points, as Baltimore built a 14-10 lead.

It looked as though that would be the score going into halftime, until Brees marched the Saints 81 yards down the field in just over a minute. He avoided the red zone altogether this time around, connecting with Marques Colston for 26 yards to give New Orleans its first lead with 17 seconds remaining in the half.

Brees' numbers on the season are slightly down in several categories, but the methodical drive was reminiscent of his previous years. The same holds true for Colston, as NFL Philosophy noted:

That looked like Colston circa 2012.

- NFL Philosophy (@NFLosophy) November 25, 2014

But New Orleans' first offensive drive of the second half resulted in a complete 180-degree turn.

2014 drew brees

- Tyler Loechner (@LoechnerNFL) November 25, 2014

Pressure from the Ravens forced an inaccurate throw from Brees, as Will Hill jumped in front of Jimmy Graham and returned the interception 44 yards for a touchdown.

Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen placed the blame on the veteran QB:

Poor throw from Brees. Leave the ball short and the DB can make a play.

- Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) November 25, 2014

But Hill deserves credit, as well. The 24-year-old safety did an excellent job putting the clamps on Graham, making several key breakups throughout the game.

Former Ravens receiver Qadry Ismail applauded the play of the youngster:

Will Hill is having a tremendous game!! #Balla!!

- Qadry Ismail (@QadryIsmail) November 25, 2014

After both teams swapped field goals in the fourth quarter, Forsett put the game away, exploding through cavernous lanes and breaking off huge chunks on the ground. A 20-yard touchdown run capped the best performance of his career and put things just out of reach.

The Saints subsequently put together a quick drive, resulting in Graham's second touchdown of the game, but Kamar Aiken snagged the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.

Interestingly enough, while the Ravens (7-4 with two wins in a row) and Saints (4-7 with three losses in a row) continue to move in opposite directions, both are still right in the thick of the playoff race.

New Orleans goes to Pittsburgh next week, but it's becoming clear the division will come down to Week 14 and 16 contests against the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, both of which are at the Superdome.

As for the Ravens, they host the San Diego Chargers next Sunday, and with zero divisional contests remaining on the slate, they have an excellent opportunity to make a lot of noise down the stretch.