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Drew Brees can't afford to get hurt, the sequel
Shaky play from the Saints’ backup quarterbacks has been a recurring theme throughout the preseason. Veteran Chase Daniel muffed a shotgun snap to stall the Saints’ first series, then threw an interception deep in his own territory to set up a Ravens touchdown on the next possession. Daniel led a nice touchdown drive in the two-minute offense before halftime but otherwise was largely ineffective (11-19, 103 yards). Ryan Nassib (9-16, 68 yards) wasn't much better in relief. Garrett Grayson finished 2-of-12 for a measly 32 yards. The Saints' backup QB situation is worrisome to say the least.

Mitchell Loewen left it all on the field
The undrafted free agent from Arkansas might not make the final roster, but he made a strong final impression with two tackles and a quarterback hurry. He pressured Ryan Mallett into an incompletion on a key third down in the first quarter, then almost blocked the punt on the ensuing snap. Loewen's chances of making the roster likely rely on how many defensive linemen the Saints elect to keep. Right now, he looks like the fifth defensive tackle on the depth chart.

Al-Quadin Muhammad is going to be tough to cut
The rookie fifth-round draft pick made the play of the first half with a strip sack of Thaddeus Lewis to thwart a scoring drive. Muhammad led the Saints with four sacks in the preseason and is going to make the Saints' staff think long and hard about whether to keep him on the active roster or try to slip him through to the practice squad.

Wil Lutz isn't over his trajectory issues
The second-year place kicker had his 49-year field goal attempt blocked in the second quarter. The hold by Daniel looked solid, but Lutz's kick was relatively low and Patrick Ricard made a leaping block at the line of scrimmage. It was Lutz's first and only miss in nine attempts this preseason, so there's no reason to panic. But the low trajectory raises eyebrows after he had several low kicks blocked or tipped a year ago.

Adam Bighill deserves a roster spot
I don't know if the reserve linebacker is going to make it because the Saints have many options at linebacker, but the diminutive thumper laid it all out on the field. Bighill earned the start and played the entire game as the Saints' staff took an extended look at him. He didn't disappoint, making plays all over the field and leading the Saints with eight total tackles. Many of his tackles were 4-5 yards downfield, but the guys made plays from sideline to sideline. The one play he'd like to have back: A dropped interception on the first snap from scrimmage that hit him right in the hands and could have changed the complexion of the game.

Offensive line depth is an issue
The Saints rested their starting offensive line with the exception of center Max Unger and rookie left tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Both only played a series or two, and when they went to the bench they appeared to take the offense with them. The Saints' backup line struggled to muster much of anything on the ground or through the air. Look for the Saints to address this area via the waiver wire when cuts are made this weekend.

Daniel Lasco squandered an opportunity
The second-year running back from Cal made some nice plays, but all of his positive efforts were wiped out by a costly fumble at his own 16 in the second quarter. The defense bailed out Lasco by forcing a fumble a few plays later, but rest assured that won't keep Lasco out of Sean Payton's dog house. Assuming the Saints elect to keep four running backs, Lasco is in a battle for a roster spot with Travaris Cadet. Neither player did much to distinguish himself Thursday night. Lasco needed a big game to secure a roster spot but came up short.

Vonn Bell has slipped down the depth chart
The second-year safety appears to have been supplanted by rookie Marcus Williams for the starting free safety spot. Bell saw a lot of work with the second-team defense and was still playing in the second half. Bell finished with four total tackles, including one for a loss. But he also was called for holding while in pass coverage, a bugaboo that hounded him last season.

The Ravens are Sean Payton's kryptonite
The loss dropped Sean Payton's overall coaching record to 0-8 vs. the Ravens. He's 0-3 in the regular season and 0-5 in the preseason, including setbacks in each of the past four exhibition seasons. The Ravens and Broncos are the only teams Payton has not defeated in his tenure with the Saints.