On Sunday, the 3-1 Baltimore Ravens will welcome Kyle Orton and the 2-2 Denver Broncos to M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens are coming off an emotional come from behind victory last week against the Steelers and sit atop the AFC North after two straight victories. The Broncos beat Tennessee on a late touchdown last week to even their record and are tied for second in the AFC West.
Ravens Pass Defense vs. Broncos Passing Offense
This will be the matchup to watch this Sunday. Broncos QB Kyle Orton leads the NFL with 1,419 yards this season, and is averaging 354.75 yards per game. The Ravens have the number one pass defense in the NFL as they have limited their opponents to an average of 119 yards per game through the first four weeks. The Ravens have yet to allow an opposing QB to throw for more than 200 yards in a game with Carson Palmer coming the closest with his 167 yards in Week 2. Orton on the other hand has thrown for more than 300 yards in three out of his first four games this season. The one week he didn't, he threw for 295 yards. This will be the first real test for Orton and the Broncos as they have yet to face a top ten pass defense.
Edge: Ravens. I'm not sold on Kyle Orton and the Broncos pass offense until they can do it against a top ranked defense.
Ravens Run Defense vs. Broncos Rushing Offense
Known in the past as the strength of the defense, the Ravens run defense has slipped to 21st in the league as they have allowed 116.8 yards per game on the ground. After allowing 173 yards to the Browns in Week 3, including 144 to RB Peyton Hillis, the Ravens were able to hold the Steelers to only 84 yards on the ground in Week 4. While the Broncos have the top rated pass offense in the league, they rank dead last in the ground game averaging only 55 yards per game. The Broncos acquired Laurence Maroney from the Patriots after Week 2 in an attempt to boost their run game, but he has yet to be an effective runner for the Broncos with 29 yards on 23 carries in two games. To make things worse for Denver, RB Knowshon Moreno has been ruled out for Sunday's game with a hamtring injury
Edge: Ravens. Denver's run offense just what the doctor ordered.
Ravens Passing Offense vs. Broncos Pass Defense
After a 4 interception performance againt the Bengals in Week 2, Ravens QB Joe Flacco has responded with 4 TDs and 1 INT over the past two weeks. The Ravens are averaging 222.2 yards per game this season, good for 15th in the league. Joe Flacco has thrown for 248 yards or more in 3 out 4 games this year. The Broncos rank 17th in the league against the pass as they are allowing opponents to throw for 221.8 yards per game this season.
Edge: Ravens. Barely. Champ Bailey will make his presence known, but Flacco has more than enough weapons to overcome one of the league's best CBs.
Ravens Rushing Offense vs. Broncos Run Defense
The Ravens have struggled to get their ground game going this year. After four games, the Ravens have the 24th rush offense and are averaging 84 yards per game on the ground. RB Ray Rice is off to a slow start and has yet to crack the 100 yard mark this year for the Ravens. Rice was limited with a knee injury last week against the Steelers, but should see more action this week against the Broncos. Denver's run defense has put up respectable numbers this year against the ground game, holding oppenents to an average of 101 yards per game. Last week, they were able to hold Tennessee's Chris Johnson to 53 yards on 19 carries.
Edge: Broncos
Special Teams
Denver K Matt Prater has yet to miss a field goal this year in eight attempts. He is 7 for 7 within 39 yards, and 1-1 in kicks over 50 yards. Baltimore K Billy Cundiff made 4 of his 6 field goal attempts with his two misses coming on attempts of over 40 yards. Neither team has returned a kickoff for a touchdown, but the Broncos have allowed one opponent's kickoff return to go back for a touchdown. Both the Broncos and the Ravens punting game has been solid this year, and will play a key role in the field position battle throughout the game.
Edge: Split
Prediction
In order for the Broncos to be effective through the air, they will have to establish some sort of running game against the Ravens to take some pressure off Orton and his receivers. I don't see this happening, and this will allow the Ravens to focus on stopping the pass. Kyle Orton and the Broncos pass attack will come back down to earth a little bit this week, and the Ravens offense will get the job done. Look for the Ravens to continue their dominance over the Broncos in Baltimore with a 24-13 victory over the Broncos.
Randy Biggs
Baltimore Sports Blog
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