Baltimore Ravens @ Denver Broncos
Baltimore and Denver 2013, you couldn't have picked a better NFL opener. The defending Super Bowl champions will visit the same Denver team that they knocked off in the AFC Championship in January. Thursday's NFL special should be a great one, right? I'm not sure, this is a totally different Baltimore team, one without Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and many others. On the other side, we see a better Denver team? Could Wes Welker be the key for Denver? There's so many questions heading into the 2013 NFL season opener and in a few days, we'll have the answers.
Do you have a winner yet? If one thing is for sure, it's tough playing in Denver. I really think Baltimore is going to be at a major disadvantage. You can practice all you want, but nothing compares you for playing in that type of environment. The good thing for Baltimore, the game is at night. None the less, the questionable back four for Baltimore will be tested by Payton Manning all night long.
Can Baltimore stop Manning? Manning has a host of dangerous weapons, including Welker, Thomas, and Decker. Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball provide explosiveness out of the backfield. Manning threw for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns last season. Demaryius Thomas led the team in receiving yards with 1,434 yards in 2012 while Eric Decker led the team in receiving touchdowns with 13. Hillman only averaged 3.9 yards per carry last season, but is believed to be the starter. Ball should also make an immediate impact in the running game. In total, Denver ran for 1,832 yards
as a team.
The Raven defense has been the definition of defense for over a decade. The biggest question for Baltimore has to be the defense. Gone are Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, not to mention Paul Kruger. Kruger led the Raven's defense last season in sacks with 9. Their defense was average last season and that was with Lewis, Reed, and Kruger. The addition of Elvis Dumervil will certainly help, who had 11 sacks as a Bronco last season. Dumervil will get an early chance to rein havoc on the Denver offense. Baltimore will also get back Ladarius Webb, who was injured 11 months prior. James Ibedigbo and Michael Huff will start at safety for the Ravens. First round pick Matt Elam has picked up the defense, but the Ravens feel that the veterans will work out better.
On offense, Baltimore is stable. Joe Flacco shut down all the critics with a Superbowl ring, but the critics are already back. Flacco was nearly perfect last postseason, throwing for 1,140 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Flacco still has dangerous weapons to throw to, including Jacoby Jones and Torey Smith. Dennis Pitta is hurt, but Baltimore has Ed Dickson back and picked up Dallas Clark. The dangerous Ray Rice is a weapon in the passing game and running game. Their offensive is the example of consistency and they get the job done.
None the less, Baltimore and Denver will be a great 2013 NFL opening game. So, who do we like? When you go through major changes as Baltimore has, it takes game time to gel. Denver was tough last season and we believe that they'll be even better this year. We believe Wes Welker will open room for all of Denver's wide outs, leading to a career year for Payton. Denver's defense was solid last season and they'll miss Von Miller, but we look for them to contain Baltimore.
Denver 30 Baltimore 24
