Denver Broncos: Previewing the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore’s defense is currently second in the league.
The Broncos are 16th.
Here’s the thing, though; Baltimore held the Buffalo Bills to a dismal 153 yards of offense and three points in the season opener. That line established the Baltimore defense as an early frontrunner.
The following week, the Cincinnati Bengals blew up for 34 points on the Ravens defense. Andy Dalton threw for four touchdowns. The Ravens defense did not record a sack or a turnover in the game.
The Ravens defense truly is a tale of two weeks, overpowering against the Bills, much more porous against the Bengals.
For Denver, the disparity between the rushing defense and passing defense is much wider. Denver is currently sixth against the rush, with the stout defensive front stepping up often. Particularly on third down. Denver is tops in the league at denying opponents third-down conversions.
Denver Broncos
We have to believe that the No-Fly Zone will recover, Bradley Roby has struggled to replace Aqib Talib‘s production opposite the always solid Chris Harris Jr.. Brandon Marshall, Todd Davis, Justin Simmons and Darian Stewart have to work out tackling and tight-end coverage issues. Bradley Chubb has to find that NFL gear to balance the pass rush.
All fixes that should be easy for a Denver pass defense that’s been among the best in the league over the last 4 years. Consider that defensive coordinator Joe Woods was the defensive backs coach for the heydey of the No-Fly Zone. We can reasonably expect improvement.
Uncertainty from the Ravens defense and a Denver squad that seems to be working toward being the dominant defense we expect gives the edge to the Broncos.