The addition of inside linebacker Roquan Smith paid immediate dividends for the Ravens.
But it was outside linebacker Justin Houston who paved the way for a victory by terrorizing New Orleans quarter Andy Dalton.
Houston had 2.5 sacks and an interception that set up the Ravens' final touchdown in a 27-13 victory on Monday night.
The Ravens improved to 6-3 and remain in first place in the AFC North heading into their bye week.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson was 12 of 22 for 133 yards with a touchdown and three sacks.
Jackson ran for 82 yards and moved past Steve Young for fifth on the all-time rushing list by quarterbacks.
Justin Tucker hit a pair of field goals from 32 and 41 yards that boosted the Raven's lead to 20-6 early in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens have managed a double-digit lead in each of their nine games this season. They're only the third team in the last 20 seasons to accomplish that feat, joining the Packers (2011) and Saints (2009).
Houston intercepted Dalton at the Saints' 22-yard line midway through the final quarter. That set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Kenyan Drake, who had 93 yards on 24 carries with two scores.
Houston has 8.5 on the season. Tyus Bowser led the team with 7.5 sacks all of last season. Houston is also the first player in franchise history with multiple sacks in three straight games.
The Saints managed their first touchdown on an odd play.
Dalton threw a short pass to Juwan Johnson, who ran past Marcus Peters because the cornerback thought he stepped out of bounds. Then, Ravens safety Chuck Clark also let Johnson run past him into the end zone for a 41-yard score.
It was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar night for the Ravens' defense.
Smith, who was acquired from the Bears last week, finished with five tackles.
Dalton was 19 of 29 for 210 yards with a touchdown and interception and was sacked four times.
Saints running back Alvin Kamara was held to 30 yards on nine carries.
Ravens wide receiver DeSean Jackson made his debut and had two targets and one catch for 16 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury.
The Ravens took a 7-0 lead when Jackson rolled out and found Isaiah Likely for a 24-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter. Jackson was 5-for-5 with five different targets on that 76-yard drive.
The Saints managed just 32 yards of offense in the first quarter.
Drake boosted the lead to 14-0 on a 1-yard run with two minutes left in the half. Both of Baltimore's touchdown drives lasted more than seven minutes, which demoralized the Saints' defense.
The Saints managed a late field goal and trailed 14-3 at the half.
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