BOLD PREDICTIONS: Ravens v. Broncos

The Baltimore Ravens (7-4) host the Denver Broncos (3-8) in a Week 13 battle at M&T Bank Stadium (1 p.m. kickoff). The Ravens are tied atop the AFC North standings with (7-4) Cincinnati, however, Baltimore holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, winning 19-17 in Week 5, and are bolstered by Cincinnati’s current 1-3 AFC North record. Meanwhile, Denver has dropped three straight games and seven of its past eight contests overall.

This is the sixth time in franchise history that the Ravens sit at (7-4) and each time with the exception of the 2004 season, they’ve earned a playoff berth.

The Ravens are (7-6) in regular season play vs. the Broncos, including a (5-1) mark at home. Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens are (4-3) against the Broncos during the regular season, posting a (3-1) mark at home. These teams last met at M&T Bank Stadium in 2018, with the Ravens emerging as 27-14 winners.

This game opened with the Ravens as the 6.5-point favorites. The line has now moved to Ravens minus 8.5 points. The over/under is set at 39.5 points. So, how will it go down?

Tony Lombardi

The Broncos are dead last in the NFL in points scored, averaging just 14.3 points per game. That said, their defense ranks 3rd overall and 1st in the red zone. Denver’s defense has allowed just 17.6 points per game, good for 3rd best in the league. So you might think that points will be hard to come by. And they will be.

• Each team will attempt to run the ball effectively and often. The Ravens will do it nearly twice as good, rushing for 185 yards to the Broncos 95. The commitment to the run by both squads will shorten a game that will NOT be a sight for the sore eyes of fantasy footballers. The final whistle to end the game will happen at 3:55 PM. Gus Edwards leads all rushers with 110 yards and a score.

• Lamar Jackson’s struggles in the passing game (165 yards) will continue, save for a long-distance connection with DeSean Jackson who reels in a TD pass from 55 yards out.

• Speaking of struggles, the Ravens will suffer more red zone agony. They will go 1-for-3 in the RZ, with one of the stops being on 4th-and-1. Justin Tucker will kick a FG following one of the RZ failures and he’ll add another from 47 yards out.

• Remember when Marcus Peters had a pick-six off Russell Wilson in Seattle – Peters’ very first game as a Raven? Well the QB formerly known as Cookin’ Russ will forget and you know how that will end? No pick-six but Marcus will corral an errant Wilson toss in Ravens territory.

• The game will feature 8 sacks, split evenly between the combatants.

The Ravens ride the Broncos out of town, and the win combined with a Bengals loss makes it a Sunday Funday here in the Land of Pleasant Living.

Ravens 20 Broncos 9

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Darin McCann

Everyone is salivating at the chance to take on the 2022 Denver Broncos and their struggling offense at home, but this year’s Ravens squad really hasn’t shown to anyone that they can bury an outclassed opponent. I figure this one will remain tight, as well. Yes, the Broncos and star quarterback Russell Wilson are indeed struggling offensively, and have only recorded 14 touchdowns on the season. But they have a legitimate defense, particularly in terms of defending the pass (allowing a league-best 5.4 yards per attempt, and are fourth in DVOA against the pass). I’m expecting a tight one. Here are a few predictions:

• As good as the Broncos pass defense is — and it is very, very good —, the rush defense is a little suspect. They are 17th in DVOA defending the run, and allow a generous 4.6 yards per carry. The Ravens will lean on their run game and produce more than 180 yards by the end of the game.

• It will also allow a double-move deep shot as the Broncos should load up to try to slow down the Ravens rushing attack. Demarcus Robinson is going to shake loose for a 50-plus-yard score — the Ravens only touchdown on the day.

• Yes, Russell Wilson is struggling, and he has only thrown eight touchdowns in 10 starts, but he has also only thrown five picks — which is a pretty low 1.5-percent interception rate. He won’t throw any in this game either — but he will lose a fumble.

• Say it with me: “Odafe Oweh will produce two sacks.” Yes, I do say this every game, but this time I really, really, really, maybe, kinda mean it. One of his sacks will produce that Wilson fumble.

• Roquan Smith tallies 13 tackles on the game, and comes up with a sack. The Ravens will get five sacks on the day.

• Lamar Jackson has a clean game throwing the ball, with no picks and a touchdown. But he really makes his mark on the ground, posting a 90-yard effort.

Ravens 16 Broncos 9

Rob Shields

This week the Ravens welcome the Broncos to The Bank.

The Broncos, armed with a great defense, excellent skill position players and a top QB were supposed to be Super Bowl contenders this year.

Instead those great weapons have either been hurt or underperformed and their QB has become a joke. Russell Wilson isn’t liked by his teammates and he is playing awful football. The defense has held up its end of the bargain though. That unit has been elite even after losing Bradley Chubb.

The Ravens are coming off another 4th quarter collapse to a team they should have beaten. Coaching continues to plague this team and the defense continues to wilt in high leverage/pressure situations.

The offense remains stagnant for long periods of time as well.

Both teams are a mess right now but for different reasons. This is a game where the Ravens should win 38-10. Not because of Denver’s defense being poor but because you should be able to force turnovers, move the ball and essentially make them give up.

But that likely won’t happen because the Ravens will make too many dumb mistakes that keep the Broncos within striking distance.

Ravens win a game that is closer than it should be.

Ravens 23 Broncos 17

Chris Schisler

I wish I felt good about this game for the Ravens. I just don’t have it in me after last week. The Ravens lost a game they had no business losing. John Harbaugh is known for his stubbornness and the Ravens committing to change in this game seems unlikely. Problems that haven’t been solved all season are reaching a point where they could suffocate this team. I think the Ravens will lose this week. The Ravens need to hit a clear and definitive rock bottom for anything to change.

The Broncos have the third-best defense in terms of yards allowed per game. The Ravens’ offense doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt coming into this game. They have to finish drives with touchdowns in this game. That’s like asking popcorn to be a quiet snack: it just doesn’t happen. This should be a good game for the defense, as the Broncos’ offense is legitimately bad. I just don’t trust the Ravens. I don’t trust the offense, I think everybody got the memo except the organization. I hate to be the bad guy here, but the Ravens will reach rock bottom in this game.

Predictions:

• Russell Wilson will be sacked five times and throw one interception.

• Lamar Jackson will throw two interceptions and one will be a pick-six.

• Mark Andrews will lead the Ravens in receptions with six for 80 yards.

• The Ravens will rush for just over 100 yards and will only pick up 3.5 yards per carry

• There will be 18 total punts in the game.

Broncos 21 Ravens 20

Adam Bonaccorsi

Let’s not overthink this one. Here’s what we know:

• Both the Ravens and Broncos offenses are struggling

• Both defenses have the upside of a fierce, lockdown defense

• Both teams have disappointed thus far

Ultimately, I see a relatively low-scoring defensive affair on Sunday that could go either way… but I guess I’ve gotta pick somebody to win?

• Lamar Jackson throws for 220 yards & a touchdown, rushing for another 75 yards.

• Only 2 drops in this game!

• Isaiah Likely leads the way with 85 receiving yards while Gus Edwards racks up 105 rushing yards

• Ravens turn it over twice (pick & fumble)

• The defense totals four sacks on the day (Houston x2, Clark, Campbell)

• Ravens secondary picks off Wilson twice in the red zone

• Game comes down to a fourth-quarter pick 6 by Marlon Humphrey & the Ravens take the W

Ravens 26 Broncos 17

Derek Arnold

We’ve been patiently (or not so patiently) awaiting a “puffy pants” game (h/t Bob Haynie), and I think this is finally it. Yes, there is still a lot of residual disappointment after last week, but I didn’t expect the Jags to roll over, as they are a tough team and were coming off their bye.

Denver is another story. You think WE are disappointed, Flock? Imagine being a Broncos Backer. They’re saddled (heh) with this shell of Russ Wilson for the foreseeable future, this cornball whose teammates are turning on him and who looks nothing like the player he used to be.

Additionally, looking at the Broncos’ injury report, it looks like the Ravens may have finally met a worthy opponent when it comes to inability to keep anybody on the field.

• Baltimore’s first two red zone trips end in touchdowns for a 14-0 lead just seconds into the 2nd quarter

• Jackson-to-Jackson combines for three hookups: 18, 32, and 55 yards (TD).

• Gus rumbles for 95 and a touchdown

• Russ is sacked four times, once resulting in a lost fumble

• The Ravens don’t turn it over

All the Ravens’ problems certainly won’t be fixed. But they’ll appear that way for an afternoon.

Ravens 31 Broncos 10

Chad Racine

Before the season started, this was expected to be a tough game. As the Broncos began to struggle it started looking like a favorable match up. Now is anyone really that confident after last week’s game? I think it may have lit a fire but it won’t fix all of the Ravens issues.

• Lamar Jackson will throw for 1 touchdown, rush for 75 yards and pass for just shy of 200 yards.

• Gus Edwards returns to form and runs for 80 yards and a touchdown.

• Mark Andrews returns to form with 5 receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown.

• Marcus Peters gets an interception to redeem last week’s performance.

• Marlon Humphrey sees no action because Russell Wilson doesn’t throw his way at all.

• Calais Campbell gets his 100th sack.

Ravens 17 Broncos 13

Jared Pinder

There are no more excuses for this team. If they can’t win this game, they might be broken. This is the most important game for the Ravens in a long time. Denver’s offense is so bad, this has to be a get right for the defense.

The offense against the Broncos is weird to talk about. They have an incredible secondary but lack up front. This has caused teams to run all over them this year. On paper this should be easy for the Ravens to get their run game going, but we know nothing is easy for this team and expectations about “fixing the offense,” might be something that isn’t in the cards right now.

• The Run game has over 150 yards and 2 touchdowns

•Lamar struggles at first but turns it up late

• Defense handles its business with Kyle Hamilton returning

Ravens 21 Broncos 9