Jeff Wolfson

Ravens or Broncos - Who you got?

by Dan Kolko View Comments

Last year, the Broncos rolled into M&T Bank Stadium a perfect 6-0.

They rolled out of M&T Bank Stadium with a 30-7 loss, the first of four straight defeats which led to Denver missing the playoffs.

The Broncos will be looking for a little payback this weekend when they face a Ravens team fresh off one of their most dramatic regular season wins in recent memory.

Here's how the Ravens and Broncos match up statistically going into Sunday's contest:

Total Offense
Ravens: 306.5 (22nd)
Broncos: 394.5 (4th)

Rushing Offense
Ravens: 84.3 (24th)
Broncos: 55.0 (32nd)

Passing Offense
Ravens: 222.3 (15th)
Broncos: 339.5 (1st)

Total Defense
Ravens: 235.8 (2nd)
Broncos: 322.8 (16th)

Rushing Defense
Ravens: 116.8 (21st)
Broncos: 101.0 (t-12th)

Passing Defense
Ravens: 119.0 (1st)
Broncos: 221.8 (17th)

Turnover Ratio
Ravens: -7 (32nd)
Broncos: +1 (t-13th)

There's a lot to digest here, and a lot of surprises.

Do the Broncos really have the No. 1 passing offense with Kyle Orton under center? Do the Ravens have the league's top passing defense with Ed Reed and Domonique Foxworth out? Is Baltimore's traditionally stingy run defense really 21st in the league, and do they currently have the NFL's worst turnover ratio?

Weird, wild stuff.

While Denver's strength obviously lies in its ability to move the ball through the air, it's not exactly a Colts or Saints-like aerial attack which puts fear in opponents. The Broncos have shown that they can win games by flinging the ball around 50 times a game, but without Brandon Marshall, they don't have a game-changing playmaker on the offensive side of the ball.

I think the Ravens' secondary should be able to slow this group down, and Terrell Suggs and company will be able to pin their ears back, get after Orton, and force him into quick decisions.

Offensively for the Ravens, Ray Rice should be back at full strength after being limited against the Steelers with a bruised knee, and Joe Flacco will be looking to build on his impressive end to last Sunday's win.

Taking all that into consideration, I'm expecting a 27-13 Ravens win and another disappointing plane ride out of BWI for the Broncos.

What's your take on this matchup?

Does anyone think Denver will be able to exploit the Baltimore secondary and earn a big road win? Will the Ravens have a letdown after last week's big win in Pittsburgh? Or will John Harbaugh's crew pick up their third straight win and move to an impressive 4-1?

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