Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco looks to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2008, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

Each week, we throw records, hype, momentum, and stats (somewhat) out the window and break down the upcoming opponent the old fashioned way: studying film. Join us as we scout this week’s foe, the Baltimore Ravens.

The Denver Broncos can beat the Baltimore Ravens.

Both the Broncos and the Ravens were on the fast track to the playoffs after a 3-0 start. But Baltimore dropped three straight (by a total of 11 points) while Denver rolled to a 6-0 record, and the dynamics of this Week 8 matchup have changed dramatically. With division rivals Cincinnati and Pittsburgh distancing themselves each week, the Ravens find themselves facing an early must-win game with their backs against the wall.

The Broncos have been in this position before. Just two weeks ago they faced an equally desperate San Diego Chargers team in a game with playoff implications, and they handled their division rival with a double-digit win.

Let’s escape the cliches about “who wants it more” and presume both teams will bring their ‘A’ Game. Let’s break down the X’s and O’s. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) clowns around prior to their NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Your wittiest, most cleverest captions in the comments. (Obviously this guy is a divisive figure, so keep it clean and we can all have fun with it!). Winner gets a Denver Broncos keychain! Last time’s winner after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Two awesome videos for your Saturday. First a preview of the Week 8 game between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. Then a Broncos Week 1-6 recap after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos WR Jabar Gaffney, QB Kyle Orton and Coach Josh McDainels converse on the sideline in 2009 Week 1 NFL action. (REUTERS/John Sommers)

Each week, Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels takes the previous game’s playbook, gives it a once-over, and virtually shreds it in half.

Those plays no longer apply.

“It restarts every week,” Mcdaniels said. “Whatever we’re doing against Baltimore, many of the things we haven’t done to this point.”

It’s fitting that a team that has dressed in blue, orange, white, brown, and yellow at different points this season shows defenses so many different looks. These 2009 Broncos have been regular chameleons.

And while this type of unique gameplanning is true of any NFL team, the Broncos take the idea to the next level. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Injury Report for the Week 8 NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 1, 2009. Changes from a player’s Thursday report status in bold.

DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP – Full Participation; NL – Not Listed

Ravens report after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Had a nice chat with a friend yesterday (and Broncos fan) who is convinced Denver is going to lose this game to Baltimore. I’ll be honest… it’s probably the toughest game we’ve faced. At least, it’s AS tough as any of the games we’ve played. Let’s break it down.

• NFL Network’s AFC Playbook takes a look at the game and makes some solid points. [NFL.com]
• Broncos-Ravens video preview.  [NFL.com]
• One of the keys will be containing Ravens WR Derrick Mason.  [Denver Post]
• The presence (or absence) of LT Jared Gaither won’t affect Denver’s defensive gameplan.  [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• How they practice Friday will likely reflect their lineup Sunday.  [BroncoTalk]
• Denver’s safe way is serving up wins in spades.  [DPO]
• The guys from MHR do a solid job of breaking down the X’s and O’s.  [Mile High Report]
• Moving indoors didn’t keep Broncos practices from remaining physical.  [DPO]

The Baltimore Ravens have a decision to make — one full of tricky variables as they approach their Week 8 tilt against the Denver Broncos.

The decision involves left tackle Jared Gaither, who has been a bit of an enigma all season, and its ramifications trickle down the entire offensive line (and by extension, the offense).

After starting (and doing well) at left tackle for the Ravens over the past two seasons, Gaither reportedly struggled in the early goings of the Ravens’ 2009 campaign. Then, against the New England Patriots early this month, Gaither’s head collided with QB Joe Flacco‘s back, and the tackle was carried off the field via stretcher with a neck injury.

Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Thursday Injury Report for the Week 8 NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 1, 2009.  Changes from a player’s Wedneday report status in bold.

DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP – Full Participation; NL – Not Listed

Ravens report after the jump. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Every week we take a look at the smarter stats that drive the NFL, focusing on the Broncos‘ upcoming matchup. This week it’s the Baltimore Ravens. Enjoy.

(We’re also tweaking the format a bit starting this week to discuss both the Broncos and their opponent.)

Broncos Rush Offense: -4.0% (18th)
Ravens Rush Defense: -18.6% (6th)
Analysis: A lot has been made of the vaunted Ravens recently giving up back-to-back 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2005, but the numbers suggest their rush defense still ranks among the tops in the league. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ ground game isn’t what it used to be. Blame the change in running scheme, blame injuries to Correll Buckhalter, or blame the playcalling, but the ground game isn’t the same. It’s not bad (and again, the Broncos are 6-0, so who’s complaining?), but it’s been one of the few disappointments this season. Unless the bye week gave Denver a rushing game reawakening, the Broncos’ best chances to score points may be through the air. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Ian Henson has left the BT nest and is running The Orange Page, which leans to an older crowd, which is awesome. We wish him the very best and know he will do well. Always looking on the sunny side, his latest piece jumps his 13-win prediction to a perfect season record. Crazy? Well, he isn’t alone in this undefeated season talk…

• ESPN’s AFC Wests blogger Bill Williamson breaks down that very question. [ESPN]
• Mike Florio suggests the Broncos will probably lose this week in Baltimore, but if they don’t, they could go all the way. [ProFootballTalk]
• Just imagine how a season like that would jump Kyle Orton‘s already skyrocketing value.  [NFL.com]
• The Broncos lead the league in “Dead Money.”  Great article.  [Denver Post]
• Frank Schwab believes Knowshon Moreno should have better numbers after the bye.  [Colorado Springs Gazette]
• Tatum Bell believes his UFL team could beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  [NFL FanHouse]