AFC Game Of The Week
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos
Ravens: After a tough week one loss, they’ve won back-to-back games in thrilling fashion. Remember when Lamar Jackson said that Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were his kryptonite? He finally got his first victory on his counterpart in week two! Now last weekend. They let the Detroit Lions hang around throughout the game. It would’ve been a larger margin if a certain someone didn’t drop wide open passes that would’ve been touchdowns (Hollywood Brown). With the game on the line in Detroit, they called on Justin Tucker to kick from 66 yards away and he got it. To be honest, I knew it was good when I saw one of his offensive linemen put his hands up. I truly feel Lamar Jackson is extremely misunderstood as a quarterback. His running amazes me. Some have referred to him as the second coming of Michael Vick. I actually think at this age, he’s better than Mike was. Lamar has a better understanding of the pocket. If you watch him closely, he wants to throw the football. He runs when the play is broken down. I look at the AFC North right now and it’s a three-team race. The Bengals have been impressing me, the Browns are hanging around, the Steelers are softer than toilet tissue, then you have these Ravens who will always be in the mix. They’ll travel back to the west coast this Sunday.
Broncos: They’ve been one of the surprise undefeated teams after three weeks at this point. Ever since their Super Bowl 50 win, things haven’t been all that sunny for this legendary organization. Peyton Manning retires in 2015 and since then, the Denver Broncos have had a rotating door of quarterbacks. You first thought Brock Osweiler was going to be the heir apparent to the Hall of Famer, but after starting seven games, he was given a large contract by the Houston Texans and look how that worked out for him. I remember the Broncos signed Case Keenum and he wasn’t the answer. Even a veteran in Joe Flacco couldn’t get the job done. Trevor Siemian wasn’t consistent and Drew Lock, who they drafted isn’t the long term solution. Insert Teddy Bridgewater aka “Teddy Two Gloves”! Vic Fangio isn’t asking him to take games over. Teddy isn’t cut from that cloth. He’s a game manager that can make a big throw when you need it. The Broncos are an improved team because of the leadership at quarterback. Von Miller even said they haven’t had this since Peyton was around which is saying something. The defense is back to being aggressive all over. A healthy Von Miller makes the difference. I’m glad to see Denver being competitive once again. They’re back home on Sunday for their toughest challenge of the season.
Ravens X-Factor: Latavius Murray– I’m all for Lamar and his running because that’s such a staple of his style of play. Many of you have heard me rant a lot over the two years or so, I’m not a fan of your quarterbacks leading the team in rushing and that’s what happened on Sunday in Detroit. I know the Ravens running back situation has been a tough one with all of the injuries. I thought them signing a veteran such as Latavius was a good move. Establish him early within the offense. Take pressure off of Lamar.
Broncos X-Factor: Tim Patrick– What’s my rule? You better have game if you have two first names! It’s only right. Tim is a solid number two receiving option for this Denver offense. He’s also a great complementary piece to Courtland Sutton who commands a lot of attention. This is the one guy who the quarterback targets to help move the chains on third down. He’s a physical wide receiver with a touch of finesse. I see him attacking a depleted Ravens secondary that’s been hammered by injuries.
Final Analysis: I’m looking forward to this one. Whenever I see these two teams playing, two things come to mind. The first is the Mile High Miracle that took place during the 2012 AFC divisional playoffs. Baltimore would end up winning that game in double overtime. The next is the 2013 opening game when Peyton tore apart the Ravens defense for seven touchdown passes. Things are much different now for both teams. The University of Louisville will be in full representation in this one. Both Teddy and Lamar played their college ball at Louisville. This is hands down the toughest opponent the Broncos are facing. Their first three opponents have a combined record of 0-9. I’ll be watching the Ravens duo of Mark Andrews and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown against this Denver secondary. The Broncos defensive backfield will make it difficult for those two. However, Denver is thin at linebacker which Lamar will take advantage of with his legs and in the passing game.
Prediction: Ravens 33, Broncos 27
