|Opening Line: Broncos -4/Total 34
|Current Line: Broncos -5?/Total 33
Analysis: : Baltimore is 4-0 for the first time in franchise history; the Ravens will try to get another win when they face the Broncos on Monday night. When these two teams met last November, the Ravens were struggling offensively behind Kyle Boller, and lost at Denver. Boller lost three fumbles, as the Ravens committed four turnovers in the 12-10 loss. But now with Steve McNair leading the team, Baltimore is undefeated. McNair was acquired by The Ravens in June. Baltimore needed a leader for its offense after floundering with Boller, and McNair fit the bill. The former league MVP has directed a game-winning drive in the final minutes each of the last two games to carry the Ravens to their unblemished start. Last week, Baltimore trailed San Diego, 13-9, with 3:05 left. But McNair engineered a six-play, 60-yard drive, capping it with a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap with 34 seconds remaining. Two weeks ago, McNair directed a 12-play, 47-yard drive that resulted in Matt Stover's 52-yard field goal with 20 seconds left to win at Cleveland 15-14. Although he has just a 75.4 passer rating, the Ravens are sole holders of the lead in the AFC North. Amazingly, McNair has never faced the Broncos. Baltimore's defense ranks second in the NFL with just 219 yards allowed per game, including a league-best 63.3 on the ground. The Ravens have given up just 33 points and recorded 17 sacks in four games. Denver?s defense has also played well. The Broncos have allowed only 31 points in three games this season and did not give up a touchdown until the fourth quarter of a 17-7 win at New England two weeks ago. It was the longest "touchdown-less" streak to start a season in the NFL in 64 years. Denver is coming off a bye week, but the Broncos believe they won't be rusty against the Ravens. The Broncos have won 11 straight at Invesco Field. It should be be raining tonight, with some snow mixed in the freezing conditions.
|Current Line: Broncos -5?/Total 33
Analysis: : Baltimore is 4-0 for the first time in franchise history; the Ravens will try to get another win when they face the Broncos on Monday night. When these two teams met last November, the Ravens were struggling offensively behind Kyle Boller, and lost at Denver. Boller lost three fumbles, as the Ravens committed four turnovers in the 12-10 loss. But now with Steve McNair leading the team, Baltimore is undefeated. McNair was acquired by The Ravens in June. Baltimore needed a leader for its offense after floundering with Boller, and McNair fit the bill. The former league MVP has directed a game-winning drive in the final minutes each of the last two games to carry the Ravens to their unblemished start. Last week, Baltimore trailed San Diego, 13-9, with 3:05 left. But McNair engineered a six-play, 60-yard drive, capping it with a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap with 34 seconds remaining. Two weeks ago, McNair directed a 12-play, 47-yard drive that resulted in Matt Stover's 52-yard field goal with 20 seconds left to win at Cleveland 15-14. Although he has just a 75.4 passer rating, the Ravens are sole holders of the lead in the AFC North. Amazingly, McNair has never faced the Broncos. Baltimore's defense ranks second in the NFL with just 219 yards allowed per game, including a league-best 63.3 on the ground. The Ravens have given up just 33 points and recorded 17 sacks in four games. Denver?s defense has also played well. The Broncos have allowed only 31 points in three games this season and did not give up a touchdown until the fourth quarter of a 17-7 win at New England two weeks ago. It was the longest "touchdown-less" streak to start a season in the NFL in 64 years. Denver is coming off a bye week, but the Broncos believe they won't be rusty against the Ravens. The Broncos have won 11 straight at Invesco Field. It should be be raining tonight, with some snow mixed in the freezing conditions.
