The Broncos have never won at M&T Bank Stadium and lost there, 30-7, last year. In other words, the numbers seem to be trending towards the Ravens.
However, Denver is a team that poses some real matchup problems that have the potential to pull off an upset.
Here are five key battles to watch:
WR Anquan Boldin vs. CB Champ Bailey
These two players share 12 Pro Bowls between them, but Bailey owns the lion’s share with nine. Boldin has been the Ravens’ go-to receiver thus far, averaging more than six receptions per game. While getting a little long in the tooth, Bailey, 32, is still one of the league’s few shutdown corners. He has four pass deflections and an interception this season.
“Champ Bailey’s been good for so long, and you see him out there and it never changes,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s playing at a high level again. I see his technique as being even better than what it’s been before.”
OLB Terrell Suggs vs. LT Ryan Clady
Another week, another Pro Bowl left tackle for Suggs. This time it’s the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Clady, who went to his first Pro Bowl in his second year in the league. The Broncos surrendered six sacks last week to the Titans, but Clady wasn’t the main offender. Also watch the other side where Jarret Johnson will face right tackle Ryan Harris. Johnson sacked Kyle Orton on the first play from scrimmage last year.
QB Joe Flacco vs. S Brian Dawkins
Flacco will keep a close eye on Dawkins, another aging playmaker in the Broncos’ secondary with 37 career interceptions. Not only does Flacco have to be cautious not to throw a pick to Dawkins, he also has to watch his blindside against him blitzing. Dawkins has one interception and one sack this season. Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron called the 15-year veteran a player who “defies chronological age” and said you’re not going to trick a player like that with schemes.
G Chris Chester vs. DT Justin Bannan
These two former teammates will square off in a battle that could largely determine Baltimore’s ground success. Bannan plays a defensive end/defensive tackle hybrid role in Denver’s 3-4 scheme and he typically lines up over the right guard. Bannan has that high Baltimore motor, so Chester is going to have to finish his blocks.
CB Lardarius Webb vs. WR Eddie Royal
Denver has several playmakers at wide receiver in Brandon Lloyd, rookie Demaryius Thomas and Jabar Gaffney. But Royal, the speedster out of Virginia Tech, may be the most explosive. He had eight receptions for 113 yards, including a 41-yard catch, and a touchdown last week. Webb kept Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace under wraps last week. The Ravens corner could start Sunday and he’ll be charged with cutting down on the deep ball again.