ESPN: Ravens have "No Hope" in Denver

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

The way I see it there was two plays in the first game that changed the complexion of the game.

The first being Flaccos fumble on the first Ravens offense drive. If he didn't fumble maybe the offense would have gotten some contintuity that day.

The second being the pick 6 at the end of the first half. That would have made it a closer game at halftime and who knows what could have happened.

If I remember this was the first game post Cam and the defense was essentally a second string defense that game. I think Suggs was out or injured, Nagata was pretty banged up and the secondary was mostly replacements and it was Chykie Brown's first start. Yet the defense still did a pretty good job containing Peyton in the first half.

All it takes is two or three plays to go the right way and then who knows.

Also, Ray wasn't playing and cannot remember if Ellerbe was or not. If he was he was not playing healthy either, and Yanda was not playing as Bobbie Williams was getting beat like a rented drum.

[yeah]

anything is possible but she has a point..ravens playing on a short week, against a team thats fully rested, and used to playing at home at a higher elevation...the same team that pounded the ravens at their home just a few short weeks ago.

[Ravens2006]

They must finish on the plus side in the turnover battle, most likely with a zero in their own column. The INT to end the first half here was as much as a 14 point swing. The fumble killed a first drive that started well. It was one of those instances where coaches say "the game got away from us", where an otherwise competitive game takes a HUGE turn on one or two plays. Joe owns those two mistakes. Reed had an INT lined up that Graham actually knocked away from him. The Broncos fumbled an early kick-off in the second half that went out of bounds before the Ravens could control it (a few inches different and it would have been Ravens 1st-and-goal inside the 20). Can't turn it over, and you have to pounce on the ball when you get the chance. If Joe hits a WR in the hands in the endzone, he'd better catch it. Ever mistake made will be tripled in magnitude because of the opponent.

Problem is... the Broncos lowest point total at home this year was 25. The Ravens will be hard-pressed to stick to a ground-and-pound game plan. And I don't like the idea of 40+ pass attempts, on the road, on basically a short week, with Oher and McKinney on the edges.

[Rael]

Although I think beating Denver is a daunting task, I do remember a game I attended against the Broncos where we were expected to lose big on Monday night. It was a down year for us (2002) and Denver was riding high. Throw into the mix that at the time we always folded like a cheap tent during prime time night games and the odds looked daunting then as well. So Ray levels someone in one of the best blocks I've seen (this side of that block on Romanowski in the playoffs) during McAlister's return of the field goal attempt and we go on to win handily.

On the one hand we have owned the Broncos. On the other Manning has owned us. First round went to Manning. Maybe if we play an exceptional game we even up the "ownage".

[RIKMAN]

You have to rough up Peyton some. We have to blitz. Frankly, since Ray really can't cover anymore, I'd have Kruger/Ray/Suggs stunting and coming in after Peyton on any passing down.

I think we're better than the pundits are talking but the only way you beat Peyton is to put him on his back some and get him thinking. Broncos have a solid line.

This one is gonna be tough!

[rurdy]

Saturday A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20.

Where did Payton Manning play all his football until this year? I like our chances.

[jessup270]

anything is possible but she has a point..ravens playing on a short week, against a team thats fully rested, and used to playing at home at a higher elevation...the same team that pounded the ravens at their home just a few short weeks ago.

Altitude issue in Denver is a myth. Pro football players are world class athletes and altitude in Denver is not an issue.

When visiting players exit their locker room, the Broncos painted a large mural on the wall, that says welcome to Denver, altitude 5,280 feet, in an effort to get into the visitors head.

When you get up to 9,000 plus thats another story, 5,000 is no big deal.

At 5,000 footballs and baseballs fly further in the thin air.

Being hydrated is always important in high places.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Less pressure on the Ravens; more pressure on the Broncos; less air resistance for Tucker.



(Also...the last time Ray Lewis was in the spotlight this much (2000) the Ravens won it all. AND the Ravens were given ZERO chance of beating the Titans in Tenn that year, and they did.)

[Pauliseum]

Disagree. I read the whole thing, and even as a Ravens fan, I find little to take her to task for. Just because a writer reaches conclusions with which you may not agree, doesn't make it a poor article. It's well-researched and she supports all of her opinions. Big deal, she thinks the Ravens will lose. I have a feeling they'll show up anyway.

[Creekman]

I remember as a kid watching the biggest "no hope" playoff game possibly in NFL history in 1965 where both Unitas and his backup Gary Cuozzo were injured and out. In this game the Colts starting HB Tom Matte who had last QBed at Ohio State where he was basically a running back had to start at the QB position. This was against the mighty Lombardi Packers one of the greatest dynasty teams in NFL history and it was at Lambeu Field. On the first snap after kickoff, Bart Starr was knocked out the game, I believe on a hard hit by Lenny Lyles, the ball was fumbled and Don Shinnick who was playing with a broken arm and a cast on it, scooped it up and ran it in for a TD!.

This immediately helped even the odds somewhat even though the Packers at least had a legitimate NFL backup who played the rest of the game named Zeke Bratowski, he wasn't future HOFER Starr. The Colts would have actually won that game in regulation 10-7 but the officials blew a call on a game tying FG that clear missed (photographs clearly show this). The Packers went on to win in OT 13-10. The next year the NFL extended the Goal post to the way they are now and painted them yellow.

So there is always hope.

I remember this game and that day so well. You have captured the spirit of the day.

The ball takes many bounces and some times the underdog turns the odds upside down.

[TDL]

I don't know if I'd use the term "no hope" as the operative phrase but frankly, it's going to be a long shot. Denver is a better football team and they're playing at home. The Ravens will have to play their best game of the year(even better than the Giants game) and the Broncos will have to turn the ball over a couple of times. The Ravens will have to grind it out, chew up the clock and keep Manning on the side line. Otherwise, I don't know how Baltimore can win this game. Hopefully, it will be competitive and go down to the last quarter.

Spot on.

A few other keys to the game for the Ravens would be:

1.Put pressure on Manning and cause a couple of turnovers while avoiding turning the ball over themselves.
2.Third down defense.When they have the chance to get Denvers offense off the field they need to do it.
3.Avoid stupid unnecessary penalties.
4.Do not waste their time outs.
5.Flacco needs to unload the ball quickly and not be afraid to tuck it and run for the first down when the opportunity presents itself.
6.Try to limit the effectiveness of Denvers running game, particularly on first down and get them in as many third and longs as possible.

Tall order but nothing is impossible.

[Aclobat]

Less pressure on the Ravens; more pressure on the Broncos; less air resistance for Tucker.



(Also...the last time Ray Lewis was in the spotlight this much (2000) the Ravens won it all. AND the Ravens were given ZERO chance of beating the Titans in Tenn that year, and they did.)

They also had ZERO chance of beating the Raiders that year to.

[PEZ]

That's all that Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Suggs and the rest of the Ravens need is something like this to make them big underdogs to make them game plan and play even harder on Saturday. Can't wait!

[codefool]

Also, Ray wasn't playing and cannot remember if Ellerbe was or not. If he was he was not playing healthy either, and Yanda was not playing as Bobbie Williams was getting beat like a rented drum.

Thats right I almost forgot. The O line was getting beat prety soundly that game and I think Oher was at LT playing human turnstyle.

[AFKAR7]

Denver has been the better team all year and should be the favorite. Just the fact that they are playing gives them a shot, might be a small one but they have one.

[85Knight]

There are a lot of reasons to believe that the Ravens can make this game a lot closer this time. The Ravens were a team in transition with a lot of key injuries in that 1st game and the game really came down to 2 Flacco turnovers in the redzone.

I think Caldwell has gotten his feet wet now and the offense has looked a lot more fluid over the last 3 weeks. Throw in the changes that were made on the offensive line and things can definitely be different this time around.

[Jim/York]

anything is possible but she has a point..ravens playing on a short week, against a team thats fully rested, and used to playing at home at a higher elevation...the same team that pounded the ravens at their home just a few short weeks ago.

Yea about this short week, what's with the Ravens playing Sat afternoon after playing Sunday less then a week off. Green Bay played Sat and they get a week off, Houston played Sat and gets a week plus a day. Seattle played Sunday and gets a week.

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

Yea about this short week, what's with the Ravens playing Sat afternoon after playing Sunday less then a week off. Green Bay played Sat and they get a week off, Houston played Sat and gets a week plus a day. Seattle played Sunday and gets a week.

Must be due to the fact they were the lowest seeded division winner. At least that would be my guess.

[44Defense]

its not going to be easy but I really like the Ravens chances. They play well as an underdog and payton does not play well as a favorite or in the cold. (6-5) in games under 40 degrees 15 tds 12 picks. Plus Moreno is a fumbler watch for the ravens to rip at him.The Birds need to turn the game into a street fight after the initial serge from the Broncos. I am really excited to see how they do in Mile High.

[OriginalColtsFan]

They also had ZERO chance of beating the Raiders that year to.

I think after they beat the Titans in Tenn, the press started to respect the D, and by the time they got to Oakland, it wasn't as much of an impossibility as the Titans game, IIRC.