(Photo: Clutchpoints)
AFC Game Of The Week
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens
Broncos: They have been a mess since 2016. Look at all the Quarterbacks they’ve gone through over these years. Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brandon Allen, Jeff Driskell, Teddy Bridgewater, Jarett Stidham and Russell Wilson. Those have been all of the Quarterbacks they’ve had since Peyton Manning retired in 2016. When Russell was acquired a few years ago, I thought he’d be the guy to turn this franchise around. The first season with him under center was disastrous to the point they fired their then-head Coach Nathaniel Hackett before the season ended. Next, the Broncos hired Sean Payton and things were rocky at one time. Remember, this team gave up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins but found a way to regroup and improve throughout the year. I always say in this league, a Head Coach wants to develop his Quarterback and Sean has that now in Bo Nix. I’ve seen a lot of him during his college days and he’s impressed me so far in the NFL. He reminds me a little of Brett Favre with the mobility and how he moves the pocket and makes some throws on the run. I found myself paying attention to this Denver defense more after I saw them stifle the Jets and punch them in the mouth. They’ve become one of the best defenses in the league this year. If the playoffs started today, the Broncos would be the five seed in the AFC. This Sunday, they will look to win their third game this season on the East Coast, this time in Baltimore.
Ravens: Week eight showed exactly why I’m not ready to put them in the driver’s seat in the AFC. I’m talking about the team that shows everyone they are the real deal and you have to travel through us come January if you want to get to the Super Bowl. That isn’t this football team one bit. If they were to play the Kansas City Chiefs once again, KC would get the nod from me and even if they played the Buffalo Bills, I think Buffalo would get them the second time around in a playoff game. That game on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns had trap written all over it. Over the years. The Browns have always played the Baltimore Ravens tough and Sunday was no different. Throughout this season, I’ve mentioned that their pass defense is ranked 31st in the league which is second to last and you saw why they are just that as Jameis Winston attacked this secondary left and right with every chance he could get. Before this loss on Sunday, the Ravens had a five-game winning streak and they shifted away from what was winning them football games which was running the football! Look at the winning streak and what the common denominator was, Derrick Henry. When you feed him the football between 19 to 26 times, he can make an impact. In week eight, he only had 11 touches. Also, they had a lead entering the fourth quarter and blew it once again. This Sunday, they return home with an energetic Broncos team.
Broncos X-Factor: Jonathon Cooper– One thing about the Broncos is they will make sure they have a pass rusher. Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and I remember the impact they had on the Denver defense which was the best in the league when they won the Super Bowl in 2015. Jonathan fell to the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2021 draft and I’d like to say it’s a nice investment. He’s so disruptive and doesn’t always rely on hitting the Quarterback as he can force fumbles and collapse the pocket. Against the run, Jonathan can tackle in space. I can’t wait to see him and what he can do against Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Ravens X-Factor: Kyle Hamilton- I know he was kicking himself all week after his blunder in Cleveland. Kyle dropped an interception late which then led to the Browns scoring the go-ahead touchdown. Despite some of the struggles of the Ravens defense this year, Kyle has been one of the shining points of the unit. He is a phenomenal all-around football player that hovers around the line of scrimmage and will always find his to the ball-carrier. This is an opportunity for him to bounce back against an up-and-coming Denver offense that can create down the field.
Final Thoughts: Both of these teams have bounced back in nice ways since starting 0-2. In this matchup, we have strength in one corner facing strength in the other. This Broncos defense has been one of the best in the league and they’ve given up the fewest yards per play allowed this season with 4.4, while on the other side, the Baltimore Ravens offense has been one of the best in the NFL as they have averaged the most yards per play gained this year with 7.1. Someone will have to break in this one! The key matchup in this game is the Denver Defensive Line against Lamar. Lamar is a two-time MVP-winning Quarterback and this is the best I have ever seen him look. I’ve always stated he’s at his best when he’s attacking the blitz. It’ll be key for the Broncos to apply pressure without sending additional men. Denver is second in the league with 30 sacks as a defense this year. Denver has eclipsed 100 yards rushing as a team in each game this season. This will be tough against a Ravens defense that’s stout against the run. Also, feed Derrick Henry the ball Baltimore! This isn’t rocket science! He is your best player and when he has it going, that opens up the offense and the passing attack. My issue with the Ravens is these inexplicable losses which forces me not to trust them as much. While Denver will play them tough, I like Baltimore to bounce back at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Ravens 28, Broncos 23
