Broncos vs 'new' Ravens

[baltiMOREO&R]

The new Oline (which was just released) + the emergence of excellent CB play + an improved pass rush + the late season blossoming of Pierce + all hands on deck for the defense = a team the Broncos have not played against and the national sportswriters have not seen except for 1 game (last game vs Colts).

Enjoy.

24 BAL
21 DEN

[Andy in Hagerstown]

Uh I hate to burst your bubble but...

The Colts had over 400 yards against our D. Receivers were running wide open all day long, the Colts had almost 40 minutes in time of possession because our defense couldn't get them off the field.

As far as all hands on deck on D as I recall we are without Webb and McClain. Ngata, Reed, Suggs, Ellerbe and Lewis are dealing with injuries and Jimmy Smith may be in the dog house. The D is playing better because they couldn't get any worse.

Lets not get carried away. Do we have a chance sure we do as they say on any given Sunday. But in all likelihood we could see a similar result to the alst meeting.

[44Defense]

THis game is absolutely set up perfectly for an experienced Ravens team. The Ravens are going to play with a "chip" on their shoulder this Sat due to being dissrespected and embarressed a few weeks ago by the Broncos(9and a half point dogs). Also the Ravens are healthy (Yanda, Ellerbe, Lewis, Pollard) didn't play and Suggs was coming off another injury. Plus it was the first game without Cam. Finally Fox and Harbaugh had words during the handshake. I expect a completely different game for the Ravens this Saturday.
For the Broncos I don't like the bye at all. when you are hot you want to keep playing. John Fox is not a very good coach and will not have the Broncos mentally ready to play. Also its going to be cold (22 degrees) and on grass. Manning doesn't play well in these situations. Remember the Pats games in cold NE. Finally the Broncos kicker has been shaky this year. The Broncos Defense does concern me a bit. If we struggle offensively moving the chains we will be in trouble.
I said it on an earlier post I was more concerned about the Pats and the Colts because of the intangibles.
Ravens go in a do what they do best. Turn the game into a street fight and Flacco does just enough. I expect a huge game from Ray Rice. Mount Mckinnie may be the MVP
27-20 Ravens

[AFKAR7]

I think the Ravens should make it a better game but this year just feels like we will be watching a Denver/NE matchup in the AFCCG.

I still think this all falls on Joe and how he plays. The Ravens as a team have to be perfect to pull off the upset. If they are not, is Joe good enough to carry them in a high scoring game? If the Ravens loose, it will all fall on him no matter what. For some reason the national media likes to use him as a whipping boy. Maybe some of that lies on Joe for his "elite" comments, IDK. I think it's unfair and unjust as he did all that he needed to do to win that game in NE last year and two others failed him, again.

It will be interesting to see if Joe gets more media bashing if he losses than say Ryan if Atlanta looses.

[Marshan Man]

Manning's still a "dome" qb. I like the way the weather's looking...

Last time our D only fell apart because they were constantly on the field thanks to an inept offense constantly going 3 and out and turning the ball over. They were holding up pretty well initially.

Hopefully our "new" line can help sustain some drives. If that happens the "improved" D will take care of itself.

[Ravens2006]

What's Joe's biggest flaw been this season, in my opinion? The deep ball. As great as his arm is, I think he's under-thrown way too many of them this year.

The air in Denver? Thinner. The deep ball? It should go farther, right? I'm thinking Torrey Smith has a field day.

Of course, that would require McKinney and Oher holding off Miller and Dumervil for more than 2 seconds.

[cprenegade]

I think the Ravens should make it a better game but this year just feels like we will be watching a Denver/NE matchup in the AFCCG.

I still think this all falls on Joe and how he plays. The Ravens as a team have to be perfect to pull off the upset. If they are not, is Joe good enough to carry them in a high scoring game? If the Ravens loose, it will all fall on him no matter what. For some reason the national media likes to use him as a whipping boy. Maybe some of that lies on Joe for his "elite" comments, IDK. I think it's unfair and unjust as he did all that he needed to do to win that game in NE last year and two others failed him, again.

It will be interesting to see if Joe gets more media bashing if he losses than say Ryan if Atlanta looses.

I agree with this assessment. I understand why people are building up the "new look" Ravens, but I think they are overlooking some basic truths. The new look Ravens won the Colt game mainly because of big plays in the 2nd half from Flacco and Boldin. That was against the 26th ranked defense in the NFL, at home. Next weekend is against the 2nd ranked defense in their place. Just a little bit different. Against the Ravens defense, the Colts managed to get Vick Ballard, somewhat of a no name, 91 yards, run off significantly more plays than the Ravens, and almost double the TOP. They sustained several long drives in the game that ended in a fumble, a missed fg, and three fg's. If Peyton Manning duplicates this, some of those drives will end in TD's. I think the Ravens will play better than they did in the first game against Denver, but ultimately, Denver is the better team, playing at home, and the Ravens travel on a short week. Add to this that I think it will be hard for the Ravens to maintain the emotional intensity they had Sunday. I think this one is close at halftime, but Denver wears the Ravens down and pulls away in the 2nd half.

[CajunRaven]

The offensive play calling is a bit better with Caldwell. He has Joe rolling out occasionally to give him some time. I like the O line changes. The last game was right after the Cam firing and I think eveyone was in shock the way it happened. The corners are playing better along with Kruger and others.

It's going to be tough and we'll have to play well, but we've got a shot. Steve Beuerline actually said on Monday Morning QB he thinks the Ravens will win the game. Of course the others looked at him like he's nuts.

[baltiMOREO&R]

Things are shaping up nicely:

- anti Manning cold weather
- Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy interviewing: minor distraction
- everyone telling broncos they have the game
- quiet Ravens confidence

[AFKAR7]

I agree with this assessment. I understand why people are building up the "new look" Ravens, but I think they are overlooking some basic truths. The new look Ravens won the Colt game mainly because of big plays in the 2nd half from Flacco and Boldin. That was against the 26th ranked defense in the NFL, at home. Next weekend is against the 2nd ranked defense in their place. Just a little bit different. Against the Ravens defense, the Colts managed to get Vick Ballard, somewhat of a no name, 91 yards, run off significantly more plays than the Ravens, and almost double the TOP. They sustained several long drives in the game that ended in a fumble, a missed fg, and three fg's. If Peyton Manning duplicates this, some of those drives will end in TD's. I think the Ravens will play better than they did in the first game against Denver, but ultimately, Denver is the better team, playing at home, and the Ravens travel on a short week. Add to this that I think it will be hard for the Ravens to maintain the emotional intensity they had Sunday. I think this one is close at halftime, but Denver wears the Ravens down and pulls away in the 2nd half.

and I have to agree with that. Maybe we can get a classic "ugly Ravens game" and they can find a way to pull this out. I would have rather seen them play the Pats this week than face Manning who does have the Ravens #.

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

The Broncos win in Baltimore was a good thing for the Ravens. Any time a team beats another team earlier in a season it is harder to beat them again when they are both good teams. Case in point was the Ravens beating the Stealers in Pittsburgh only to turn around and lose to them at home.

[Fang]

The new Oline (which was just released) + the emergence of excellent CB play + an improved pass rush + the late season blossoming of Pierce + all hands on deck for the defense = a team the Broncos have not played against and the national sportswriters have not seen except for 1 game (last game vs Colts).

Enjoy.

24 BAL
21 DEN

You're wrong baltiMORE. The final score will be,

31 BAL
27 DEN

[baltiMOREO&R]

The new Oline (which was just released) + the emergence of excellent CB play + an improved pass rush + the late season blossoming of Pierce + all hands on deck for the defense = a team the Broncos have not played against and the national sportswriters have not seen except for 1 game (last game vs Colts).

Uh I hate to burst your bubble but...

The Colts had over 400 yards against our D. Receivers were running wide open all day long, the Colts had almost 40 minutes in time of possession because our defense couldn't get them off the field.

As far as all hands on deck on D as I recall we are without Webb and McClain. Ngata, Reed, Suggs, Ellerbe and Lewis are dealing with injuries and Jimmy Smith may be in the dog house. The D is playing better because they couldn't get any worse.

Lets not get carried away. Do we have a chance sure we do as they say on any given Sunday. But in all likelihood we could see a similar result to the alst meeting.

Man, you really burst our bubble

[44Defense]

THis game is absolutely set up perfectly for an experienced Ravens team. The Ravens are going to play with a "chip" on their shoulder this Sat due to being dissrespected and embarressed a few weeks ago by the Broncos(9and a half point dogs). Also the Ravens are healthy (Yanda, Ellerbe, Lewis, Pollard) didn't play and Suggs was coming off another injury. Plus it was the first game without Cam. Finally Fox and Harbaugh had words during the handshake. I expect a completely different game for the Ravens this Saturday.
For the Broncos I don't like the bye at all. when you are hot you want to keep playing. John Fox is not a very good coach and will not have the Broncos mentally ready to play. Also its going to be cold (22 degrees) and on grass. Manning doesn't play well in these situations. Remember the Pats games in cold NE. Finally the Broncos kicker has been shaky this year. The Broncos Defense does concern me a bit. If we struggle offensively moving the chains we will be in trouble.
I said it on an earlier post I was more concerned about the Pats and the Colts because of the intangibles.
Ravens go in a do what they do best. Turn the game into a street fight and Flacco does just enough. I expect a huge game from Ray Rice. Mount Mckinnie may be the MVP
27-20 Ravens

I finally picked a game correctly. I hope im wrong about the pats