Get it started NFL: Ravens v. Broncos

[MileHigh64]

Life-long Broncos fan here. I've been reading and observing the never-ending build up to this game from fans, critics, PR folks and reporters. The fanbase in Denver and Baltimore both are calling for a victory for their team. I'm interested to see what kind of perspective there is out there regarding this game from fans that don't follow the Ravens or Broncos religiously. A couple of questions to be answered:

1. Can the re-loaded Ravens team "gel" quickly after all that off-season turnover?
2. Will the re-vamped Broncos O-line be able to keep Peyton Manning upright against Suggs, Ngata, Dumervil and company?
3. Will the addition of Wes Welker make the Broncos unstoppable on offense?
4. Does Champ Bailey suit up for this game? If so, does he return to Pro Bowl form at his age?
5. Does revenge play a factor in this game for Denver? Legitimizing the Lombardi a factor for Baltimore?
6. Can the Broncos generate a pass rush without Von Miller (suspended) and Dumervil (now a Raven) on the D-Line?
7. Does Harbaugh return to Raven's football with loads of Ray Rice running and a smashmouth defensive gameplan? Can the Broncos defense stop the run?
8. Will Flacco take some deep shots down the field like last year's playoff game?
9. Is Dumervil a bigger force in the game since he's returning to an outside linebacker position again?
10. Is the Vegas spread too positive for a team that lost in the playoffs to Baltimore last year AND to the returning Superbowl champs?

Just a few of the things that I'll be watching for. What are your thoughts? Other story lines to pay close attention to in this game? Predictions?


Go Broncos!!



MH64

 

[RobToxin]

Are the Broncos more hype than substance? Despite being the #1 seed in the AFC, the Broncos were just 1-3 in the 2012 regular season against eventual division winners and then ended up losing in the playoffs to that team that had represented the lone win. Can they beat the Baltimores, New Englands etc or will they again be playoff bound due to the division they play in?

 

[MileHigh64]

No doubt the AFC West gives the Broncos a leg up on the rest of the AFC. Should be some improvements out west this year (Chiefs maybe), but the division is still pretty weak. The Broncos don't get to select the teams they play, but the notion that playing a softer division doesn't help your team's mental and physical toughness is probably true to some extent.

The Broncos started off slow last year prior to running 11 straight wins. Relative to the rest of the NFL, it's a well above average team for sure. It remains to be seen if they can take that to the next level. We have another year, maybe two....to see if the Peyton Manning experiment works out.

I like the Broncos chances but it will be tough for any team to get past the Patriots, Texans, Bengals, Ravens in the AFC. There's always a sleeper team out there that no one sees coming, but who knows? I wish the Broncos were flying under the radar more, but the media will not allow that to take place on a Peyton Manning team.

As a Broncos fan, I'm anxious and nervous about our season opener but feel like the coaching staff will have a good game plan. Should be a great way to kick off the NFL season. Outcome?.....of course I like the Broncos in this one but we'll see. Is it Thursday yet??!!

Go Broncos!

MH64

 

[RobToxin]

One more day.

 

[catchbluefish]

I think it is a great game to open the season and looking forward to it. That said, there isn't a wide enough spread between the teams at this point to reasonably pick who the winner is going to be; all teams are going to need a few games to gel before you can reasonably tell which way they are eventually heading.

No early game like this determines the outcome of the season for any team but I do think it is going to spell more trouble for the broncos if they lose it than the ravens given where they are playing it and how last season ended.