Ravens vs. Saints 2014 picks and predictions: New Orleans favored by experts

The Saints are generally favored by experts to take down the Ravens on Sunday.

Nov 22, 2014, 2:40 PM UTC

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens are trending in opposite directions, but they're both still in contention for their respective divisions. Baltimore is faring much better, with a 6-4 record and a win in its last outing. That said, they're currently third in the AFC North, trailing both the Cincinnati Bengals (6-3-1) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4). New Orleans is atop the NFC South, but that's not much of an accomplishment given that it's 4-6 and in a tie with the Atlanta Falcons.

Even the 3-7-1 Carolina Panthers are still in the running for that division. The NFC South will surely have just one representative this season, and the Saints can't afford to lose any more games. Atlanta and Carolina are both struggling, but there's some serious talent on those teams and they could start winning at any point.

Baltimore's division might be the most competitive in football. The Bengals and Steelers lead, but Baltimore is just behind them, along with the Cleveland Browns (6-4). It's a division that may go down to the wire and could have more than one representative in the playoffs. That said, the Ravens do have a couple tough games coming up on the schedule so they can't afford to lose to the Saints.

The Saints are the ones getting love from experts around the Internet. Over at ESPN, New Orleans is the pick for 10 of the 13 experts. It’s a similar spread over at CBS Sports, where six of the eight picking went with the Saints. Four of the five experts at FOX Sports are also going with the Saints.

Here at SB Nation, it’s an interesting split. Ryan Van Bibber, Joel Thorman, Danny Kelly and the OddsShark Computer are all going with Baltimore, while Stephen White, David Fucillo, PFT Commenter and Matt Ufford are picking the Saints.