Monday Night Football Week 12: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Ravens vs. Saints

This Monday Night Football showdown has plenty of playoff implications, and not just for the teams involved. Following Sunday's action, both the Baltimore Ravens and the New Orleans Saints are in must-win scenarios to move into better positions within their respective divisions.

Baltimore is currently fourth in the AFC North following wins by the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns in Week 12; however, a victory will propel the team into a three-way tie for second. New Orleans owns the top spot in the NFC South despite its 4-6 record due to a loss suffered by the Atlanta Falcons.

Here's a look at the condition of both divisions heading into this pivotal contest:

AFC North	Record	Pct	Stk
NFC South	Record	Pct.	Stk
Cincinnati Bengals	7-3-1	.682	W2
Pittsburgh Steelers	7-4	.636	W1
Cleveland Browns	7-4	.636	W1
Baltimore Ravens	6-4	.600	W1
New Orleans Saints	4-6	.400	L2
Atlanta Falcons	4-7	.364	L1
Carolina Panthers	3-7-1	.318	L5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	2-9	.182	L1

Due to the struggles of the NFC South, and the competitiveness of the NFC as a whole, the only way the Saints will enter the postseason is with a division title. Conversely, the Ravens still have a shot within the AFC North, but they are also deeply entrenched in a battle for playoff position with several conference teams.

With a great deal on the line for these two talented teams, we should expect some fireworks. To ensure not a single moment of this game is missed, here's a look at all of the pertinent viewing information.

Game Info

When: Monday, November 24

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Channel: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Info (via Odds Shark):

• Spread: New Orleans -3
• Over/Under: 50.5

Storylines to Watch

Aerial Success

Rogelio Solis/Associated Press

Both Drew Brees and Joe Flacco have phenomenal track records on Monday Night Football. These quarterbacks know how to get up for prime-time games, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports:

While both of these signal-callers have produced roller-coaster seasons to this point, they'll get great opportunities to put up some gaudy numbers this week. The Saints are ranked 24th against the pass this season and allowed three touchdown passes to Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton in Week 11. The Ravens are ranked 21st and will be without top cornerback Jimmy Smith due to season-ending foot surgery.

Flacco has two speedy receivers at his disposal in Steve Smith and Torrey Smith. Both are capable of stretching defenses thin, taking the top off of secondaries and allowing room to maneuver for underneath targets.

Brees will be without rookie Brandin Cooks after a broken thumb ended his season; however, he's still surrounded by the trusty Marques Colston, the quick Kenny Stills and the dynamic Jimmy Graham. Don't expect much drop-off here.

Getting the passing game going strong will be an integral component to the success of both squads Monday night. The team that fails in this department will find itself on the wrong side of a lopsided scoreboard.

Rebound vs. Rest

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

One big difference between these teams is their states of mind entering this contest. The Ravens ended their two-game skid with a win against the Tennessee Titans and are well-rested coming off a bye week. The Saints are currently riding a two-game home losing streak.

Interestingly enough, in order to end that streak, Brees will have to defeat the only NFL team he's never beaten, according to the NFL on CBS:

Baltimore's last two road games didn't end well. In Week 8, the Ravens traveled to Cincinnati and were beaten on a last-second touchdown by the Bengals. The following week, Baltimore imploded against the Pittsburgh Steelers, allowing Ben Roethlisberger to throw six touchdown passes in a 43-23 drubbing.

A Week 10 home contest instilled some confidence back into this team, as the Ravens took down the Titans in convincing fashion. A Week 11 bye followed, and Baltimore has been able to game-plan for its battle with the Saints for 15 days. That could prove to be a nice advantage.

On the flip side, the Saints are reeling after two home losses in consecutive weeks. The team suffered a heartbreaker in an overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, as a late penalty on Graham nullified a game-winning touchdown.

The following week, New Orleans' offense looked good moving the ball between the 20-yard lines, but it couldn't find a way into the end zone against the Bengals, losing 27-10. That loss has surely been eating at this team since. Could it provide some extra motivation for Monday?

We'll find out soon enough if a rested Ravens team is able to travel south to overcome the seething, motivated Saints.