OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Justin Forsett and Will Hill are not new kids on the block, but the first-year Baltimore Ravens are improbably playing starring roles just months after both faced the possibility of being out of football entirely.

Forsett said Monday he was headed to a player development job in the NFL if not for offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who lobbied hard for the Ravens to keep him on the roster even when the team expected Ray Rice to miss only two games and Rice understudy Bernard Pierce penciled in for a starting job. Kubiak coached Forsett in Houston before the coach was fired in the midst of a 2-14 season in 2013.

Hill tested positive for illegal substances three times while with the Giants, who kept him on the roster until his third strike because of his immense talent and natural ability. He was on the field for all but two snaps and had a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Saints, and could be vital to the Ravens down the stretch.

Ravens coaches knew the revamped secondary would be under a lot of pressure against Brees. As a result, Kubiak remained committed to the run. Forsett responded with a season-high 182 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns. The Ravens also won the time of possession battle 30:15 to 29:45. This could be the formula for Baltimore going forward, especially against San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers in Week 13.

“Obviously the way the running game was working, we decided to stick with it,” Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. “The offensive line and the running backs all did a great job, and that’s what we’ve been working on for a while.”

The Ravens were able to score the win in the Superdome thanks to the continued emergence of veteran Will Hill. He has clearly shaken off the rust from his early-season

six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse police.

Hill continues to make plays and will be vital against Rivers and his favorite receiver, tight end Antonio Gates. Against the Saints, Hill returned an interception 44 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. Hill also was solid with containing New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham.

“That was my task the entire week and in coming into this game,” Hill said Monday. “All of the coaches came up to me and asked me if I was up to the challenge to defend him. And I told the coaches, ‘are you serious?’ That’s what I look forward to. I just accepted the challenge and told myself, this is Monday Night Football and you have a great chance to make a statement.”

Baltimore’s secondary has faced a lot of criticism this season, but Hill is one of the bright spots.