Division Round Playoffs: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

[mgcolby]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

In the last meeting the Ravens were without: Lewis, Pollard, Pierce, Yanda and Dixon. And it was Suggs first game back. Denver is the better team, however Baltimore will not be intimidated and the weather has never bothered them before. Now, 20 degrees will have some impact on Manning. Can Moreno carry a little more of the load successfully to compensate?

The problem with the Ravens haven't changed however. They still find ways to hurt themselves in big games i.e. Rice with two huge fumbles lost last week. If they go into Denver and turn it over twice it will be lights for Ray Ray's career.

The big question in my mind is who makes the least amount of self inflicted mistakes? Given the Ravens and Manning's track record in the playoffs it is hard to say. Given the circumstances, the weather, Ray Ray's looming retirement etc... I'm leaning towards an upset.

To much deja vu for me to take the Broncos. #1 seed, winners of x games in a row, unstoppable offense and yet Manning has some how found himself on the losing side 7 times in his first playoff game of the season. 1-3 after a bye, and that includes 2005 when he had the number 1 seed, the number one offense in the NFL and the number 2 defense in the NFL and if everyone remembers that loss came to the Steelers with a retiring Jerome Bettis.

 

[goheels22002]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Denver Broncos will try to turn up the heat on Ravens QB Joe Flacco - The Denver Post

Interesting take from the Denver Post on the Ravens' offensive line which has done a good job of handling various pass rush schemes.

The story ends with a reference to heavy blocking schemes (two tight ends/two backs) to move the chains. Even more than the Texans, the Ravens do a good job when it's close or they have a lead of pounding Ray Rice at the opponent. If the Broncos don't jump out to a lead, the Ravens can definitely hang around with their running game and beat the Broncos.

Both AFC divisional games are very similar this way: elite QBs at home vs good QBs on the road, elite RBs (Ravens/Texans) vs good running games (Pats/Broncos), and good not great defenses all around. The Texans have the least playoff experience and confidence in the AFC which could be their downfall.

Kubiak and Harbaugh vs Belichick and Fox, respectively, is an interesting story line. Kubiak and Harbaugh are good head coaches but haven't reached the level of John Fox who has a tremendous ability to adapt to his talent. Belichick is in a class by himself, obviously. Fox has been to the Super Bowl and needs this one to get on the list of very good head coaches, historically. This is his best shot, by far.

John Fox has had success with Jake Delhomme, Tim Tebow and now Peyton Manning. I couldn't think of three more different QBs. Fox has also had a good running game wherever he's been.

Many are salivating over a Broncos-Patriots matchup in the AFCC. Not me. Give Belichick another crack at the Ravens at home for a return trip to the big game.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

In 07 the week after the Pats escaped to stay unbeaten they came out flat and Indy beat they by 30+ and it could have been much worse. But that is the exception to the rule.

Plus the Ravens were just a bad team that year, 5-11 I think. We were one of the only teams they played tough against because of the undefeated angle with a primetime game and the death of a former Miami Hurricane who's name escapes me had Ray/Reed and others fired up. Other than that they were just a horrible team that year.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Ravens – Broncos could be a brutal game next Saturday.

Denver Broncos v Baltimore Ravens analysis

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Manning has owned Ravens

Manning's success against the Ravens is pretty much the only reason I'm not giving Baltimore a real edge.

Denver hasn't beaten anyone of significance and Manning has looked iffy when actually tested.

But Manning has done well against Baltimore, there's no denying that. However, going into this season, the last time he'd faced them was 2009 in the playoffs when he had a mediocre day and Baltimore simply could not score.

 

[PatsFans.com Article]

Division Round Playoffs: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos
By: John Morgan

Conventional wisdom says the Ravens have no chance, but consider the injuries they had in the first meeting. Then look at the turnover differential: Baltimore is +9, and Denver is -1....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[DocHoliday]

Don't be surprised if those thugs don't try to knock Manning out.

This is their absolute last chance at a ring. The D is aged and running on fumes.

If I were Manning I'd be very careful - thus is a desperate team.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Manning's success against the Ravens is pretty much the only reason I'm not giving Baltimore a real edge.

Denver hasn't beaten anyone of significance and Manning has looked iffy when actually tested.

But Manning has done well against Baltimore, there's no denying that. However, going into this season, the last time he'd faced them was 2009 in the playoffs when he had a mediocre day and Baltimore simply could not score.

I've got the Ravens in this one.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Denver Broncos

Funny typo in that article:

...Colts, hitting them hard and beating them into submission. Lewis led the team with 13 total sacks, Paul Kruger led with 2.5 sacks and they hit Andrew Luck repeatedly,

13 sacks would be quite the thing to see in 1 game.

 

[DocHoliday]

Funny typo in that article:



13 sacks would be quite the thing to see in 1 game.

Did you not see the Jets game with McElroy? That's exactly what happened.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Did you not see the Jets game with McElroy? That's exactly what happened.

I far exceeded my schadenfreude quota between watching the Thanksgiving game and the Jets/Titans on MNF. Sorry to have missed this, but I may have overdosed on glee.

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

I've got the Ravens in this one.

I hope so. The possibility of hosting the AFCCG combined with seeing some epic Manning-face in the process is a nice thought.

Manning has coasted most of the year. Most of all, I just want to see the guy tested to see if he's as good as his numbers suggest.

 

[Dutchmaster617]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

DEN is like the worst top seed since like TEN in 08 ?

I don't see what everyone loves in them, I have BAL winning 28-21, and still see them as our biggest threat. In fact not much has changed in this AFC race since last year.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

DEN is like the worst top seed since like TEN in 08 ?

I don't see what everyone loves in them, I have BAL winning 28-21, and still see them as our biggest threat. In fact not much has changed in this AFC race since last year.

Maybe in the AFC, but Atlanta had a pretty weak schedule and SOV this season. ESPN updated it with last weeks playoff results which brought it up, but it is/was pretty weak.

 

[Rick Sanford 25]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Baltimore's defense is playing alot better. They owned the Giants and Colts. They had a good effort against these Broncos if not for Flacco's turnovers and poor special teams. 17 of their 34 points came from a pick 6, a TD off a drive starting at the Ravens 39, and a FG off Flacco fumbling at Denver's 46. I believe they will contain Manning but as I've said, the key will be Flacco managing a good game and will probably have to put 20 points on the board. That is entirely possible against Denver but this is Joe Flacco.

Easy tiger. The Colts had 25 first downs, 419 yards and only their own ineptitude (8 dropped passes) stopped them from getting in the end zone. They also ran off 87 plays. Hardly think the Ravens "owned"
them. Now those same players, who admitted they were gassed have to go to Denverand play against an up tempo offense in that altitude. Not very confident they could contain them.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Easy tiger. The Colts had 25 first downs, 419 yards and only their own ineptitude (8 dropped passes) stopped them from getting in the end zone. They also ran off 87 plays. Hardly think the Ravens "owned"
them. Now those same players, who admitted they were gassed have to go to Denverand play against an up tempo offense in that altitude. Not very confident they could contain them.

I wouldn't say they "owned" them either, but a lot of those dropped passes weren't incidental. Colts receivers (except Wayne and D Allen) looked like they were fearing the big hit. A conditioned response I think, and maybe the cold will keep Denver receivers from being very eager, as well.

Good point on the Ravens' ability to keep up. Could be a factor. Either way could be a tough game physically for both teams.

Rick Sanford: Awesome user name. Blast from the past.

 

[RYObroncosfan]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

I'm confident, but it's the playoffs and anything can happen...so I'm still nervous.

The best breakdown of the game I found, by far, was on Grantland by Bill Barnwell.

It's long, but it's a great read for those interested in this game:

Bill Barnwell on Saturday's slate of NFL playoff games - Grantland

Made me feel a lot better about our chances, even though I already felt good.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

I'm confident, but it's the playoffs and anything can happen...so I'm still nervous.

The best breakdown of the game I found, by far, was on Grantland by Bill Barnwell.

It's long, but it's a great read for those interested in this game:

Bill Barnwell on Saturday's slate of NFL playoff games - Grantland

Made me feel a lot better about our chances, even though I already felt good.

Nice article, thanks for the link; have to read Grantland more. Interesting points about the (ir)relevance of strength of schedule for winning teams.

Still, I'm not convinced his prediction backs up his analysis, but hey, I'm (obviously) a biased Pats fan. He also doesn't mention two factors: The cold, and the fact that (IIRC) that last game was Cameron's last as OC in Baltimore. And I still think if guys like Pollard can rattle some receivers, especially in that cold, it can maybe make them a bit less effective.

Should be a great game.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Manning's success against the Ravens is pretty much the only reason I'm not giving Baltimore a real edge.

Denver hasn't beaten anyone of significance and Manning has looked iffy when actually tested.

But Manning has done well against Baltimore, there's no denying that. However, going into this season, the last time he'd faced them was 2009 in the playoffs when he had a mediocre day and Baltimore simply could not score.

Manning threw for a season low in passing yards the last game. The Ravens didn't have Pollard, Lewis, or Ellerbe in that one either. I wouldn't be so quick to write Baltimore off in this one.

I hope this is the most physical game of the year.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Divisonal round breakdown: Ravens at Broncos

Nice article, thanks for the link; have to read Grantland more. Interesting points about the (ir)relevance of strength of schedule for winning teams.

Still, I'm not convinced his prediction backs up his analysis....

He seemed to go a long way just to ignore everything he'd written when it came time to his predictions.