Mark it down: The Denver Broncos will lose their first game on Sunday. Well, this actually wouldn’t be much of a surprise considering the Ravens are 3-point betting favorites on WagerWeb.com.
But Sunday’s game is all about need. The Ravens simply need this one more. Denver could lose three games in a row and still lead the AFC West, while Baltimore is on a three-game losing streak and must get the ship righted now to stay in the playoff chase – the Ravens are just third in the AFC North.
Both teams had last week off; Denver is 6-1 ATS in its past seven following a bye (of course that was under Mike Shanahan), while Baltimore is 6-2 ATS in its past eight following an off week. The Broncos are 15-5 after the bye and Ravens are 7-6 since moving from Cleveland in 1996.
The big surprise heading into this game is that Denver’s defense is better right now, at least on paper. The Broncos are first in the league in points allowed (11 per game), second in total yards allowed (262.5), eighth in passing yards allowed (182.8) and third in rushing yards allowed (79.7). Elvis Dumervil has become a beast on the defensive line and has an NFL-leading 10 sacks, with Denver ranking first in the AFC in sacks.
Baltimore’s offensive line, which has allowed seven sacks in its last three games, must keep Dumervil from getting into the backfield and getting to QB Joe Flacco, who has thrown at least on TD pass in all six games.
Baltimore’s defense is still one of the better units in the NFL, but the Ravens have permitted two straight 100-yard rushers after going 39 straight games without allowing anyone to reach century mark.
Broncos QB Kyle Orton has been stellar in his career in home games but is just .500 on the road. Orton has two touchdown passes in three straight games for the Broncos and at least one TD throw in eight straight contests (dating to his time with the Bears). Orton has never had four straight multi-TD games in 39 career contests. Denver has have scored in 267 straight games, longest active streak and third longest in NFL history.
DENVER BRONCOS at BALTIMORE RAVENS — BRONCOS: PROBABLE: S Brian Dawkins (hamstring), DT Ronald Fields (hamstring), LB Spencer Larsen (shoulder). RAVENS: QUESTIONABLE: T Jared Gaither (neck). PROBABLE: QB Joe Flacco (ankle), LB Tavares Gooden (head), K Steven Hauschka (right ankle), LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder), S Ed Reed (illness), WR David Tyree (hamstring).
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