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Published on 10/07/2010 at Thu Oct 07 10:23.
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First Look: Baltimore Ravens

Posted Thu Oct 7th by

Baltimore RavensRecord: 3-1
Streak: Won 2
Series vs. Denver: 4-3
Last time: Ravens, 30-7, 2009
The Line: Ravens by 7

Last year, the Denver Broncos‘ Week 8 battle in Baltimore (if you can call it a “battle”) started Denver’s horrid 2-8 streak to end the season. This year the Broncos look to put up a better fight.

Who’s hot: QB Joe Flacco. Overall in 2010, Flacco hasn’t been overly impressive. He has five touchdowns to six interceptions and is completing less than 60% (57.2%) of his passes. But he’s coming off his most impressive performance of the season, perhaps even of his career, where he completed 4-for-4 in the final drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers that concluded with an 18-yard game-winning touchdown toss. On that drive, when it mattered most, against Dick LeBeaugh‘s complicated, aggressive defense, Flacco posted a 147.9 passer rating. He couldn’t be coming into this Week 5 game vs. Denver any hotter.

Who’s not: Ravens runners. The Ravens’ corps of running backs — Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and Le’Ron McClain — have all been banged up of late, but all are expected to suit up Sunday against Denver.  Rice says he is healthy enough to start after seeing sparing work against Pittsburgh, but he’s averaging a relatively tepid 3.8 yards per carry.  Overall Baltimore is average 84.2 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th in the league.

Matchup to watch: Denver’s offensive line vs. Baltimore’s defensive line.  On the first offensive snap against Baltimore in 2009, Kyle Orton was decisively taken down for a sack in what would be a sign of things to come.  Against Tennessee, the Broncos’ o-line struggled mightily, allowing six sacks and only netting 19 yards rushing (11 that came from Orton scrambles).  In other words, the Ravens’ defensive linemen are going to be licking their chops.  Handling the physicality of Baltimore’s front three will be the Broncos’ top priority, but they can’t summarily overlook the Ravens’ other playmakers.  Linebacker Terrell Suggs is dominating football games and has registered a sack in back-to-back games.

  • http://baltimoresportsreport.com Zach

    I would expect to finally see a more balanced attack from the Ravens on offense. The first four weeks I think they wanted to prove that they could get it done in the air with Boldin and Housh. This week the Ravens running backs stack up good against Denvers run defense. With a healthy Ray Rice, I'm finally expecting a big day from him.

  • dbroncs24/7

    They have tried to run but can't. The Ravens aren't trying to prove anything they are still running the ball about 25 times per game it has just been unsuccessful so they turn to the pass, kind of like the Broncs but not to our extreme.

  • http://baltimoresportsreport.com Zach

    Nah, they can run the ball. Ray Rice was banged up last week. I expect them to get back to it this week. He's a dangerous back when he's healthy and against this defense I think he'll have a big game.

  • GtisMe

    Fellas. We played 3 of last years top 5 defenses in the last 4 games(Jets,Steelers,Cinci). For cripes sake, calm down. We had 4 ypc versus the one normal D we played. Trust me, we are blowing Denver out this weekend!

  • CourtneyBrown98

    Yeah but they have 3 running backs! whats their excuse?

  • CourtneyBrown98

    And y the hell are you on the BT..?? Come on now let people have a refuge on their TEAMS PAGE!! You people are so disrespectful. And the Raven's suck. No one's not gonna tell me Ray Lewis isn't juiced up. Give him a drug test and then holla at me!

  • http://baltimoresportsreport.com Zach

    Wanting to show off the passing game with Boldin, Mason and Housh. They've done it now though.