Will Denver defense be Flacco's "DOOM"?

by JesseDForrer on Oct 29, 2009 8:27 AM MDT

Welcome to week 8 of the NFL season. Week 8 finds the Broncos one of only 3 remaining undefeated teams, sharing that distinction with the New Orleans Saints, and the Indianapolis Colts after Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings lost their first game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Denver faces a very physical Baltimore Ravens team also coming off a bye week. The Ravens have dropped the last 3 games and will come into this game with something to prove, and to try and get back into the division race for the NFC north where they are currently in 3rd. The Broncos are looking to pick up were they left off, and come out of Baltimore with at least a 3 game lead on the San Diego Chargers in the AFC west division race.

This will probably be the most physical game the Broncos have played to date, as the Ravens have one of the most agressive defenses in the NFL. The Ravens also have the 5th highest total offensive yards per game, and are averaging 28 points and almost 400 yards.

The flip side of the picture is that the Ravens have yet to face a defense playing as solid as Denver. Denver comes into this week allowing a league low 11 points a game, and only allowing 260 total yards to opossing teams. Look for "DOOM" to be harassing Ravens QB Joe Flacco and increasing his season sack total. Elvis Dumervil leads the NFL in sacks at 10 and has been a big part of Denvers pash rush. The Ravens have allowed 10 sacks thus far this season, but as was stated before, they haven't played a defense of this caliber to date.

The Ravens have allowed signifigant passing yards this season, and if K.O. Kyle can continue his efficency look for big days from wide recievers Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Jabar Gaffney. Denver's rushing attack has been effective, ranking 7th in the league, but the Ravens are allowing only 91 yards per game on the ground this season, so for Denver to win, they will need some big runs from Moreno and Buckhalter, or this game will be tough.

In my opinion this game is about as evenly matched as it gets. To date McDaniels has been able to game plan very well against opposing teams, and as long as Dawkins is back and healthy look for this game to be close.

Prediction Denver 17, Baltimore 13

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Could this week be the "doom"ise of the Ravens season?

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Oct 29, 2009 9:22 AM MDT reply actions

Seems wrong to be more worried about Balts Offense

But seriously it is their offense which is the greater threat Sunday. But in keeping to form I expect the Ravins offense to score all of their points in the first half and settle for being mostly spectators in the second. In the first half I expect them to pound the rock, attempt to out physical our guys up front. Our depth and ability to rotate in fresh guys without a drop off in play will eventually wear down their big guys – but it will be an ugly first half. Falcco will have early success due to domination in the running game. Adjustments at half combined with better conditioning and depth will limit second half gains – again – as usual. These guys are not the Pats, Falcco is not as good as Rivers – but Rice scares me.
This will be a big game for Buckhalter, I see two very long plays as he beats the front 7 (due to an ever improving O line and Larsen) and hits the suspect secondary. Good ball control game by Orton, but McD will seek to out physical the defense with an up the middle running game. Keep Falcco and company on the sideline and dont let them get into a rythem. Close and low scoring at half, two unanswered TD for the broncos in the second half.

by Flunkie on Oct 29, 2009 9:28 AM MDT reply actions

Maybe this will be the week Moreno breaks one.

If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.

by Troy Hufford on Oct 29, 2009 9:40 AM MDT up reply actions

Could be wrong

But I see Buckhalter as the more physical player, and therefore the more likely choice of McD to push middle – could be day for Hillis, but I do not think McD has enough confidence in him

by Flunkie on Oct 29, 2009 10:06 AM MDT up reply actions

I don't know...

Moreno runs hard every time he touches the ball. In fact, whenever he finally figures out that he can’t dance around linebackers and defensive backs in the NFL on a consistent basis, he’ll take another step.

Love the 1-2 of Buckhalter and Moreno.

by BroncosBassist on Oct 29, 2009 10:36 AM MDT up reply actions

Agree - when

Buck has it figured out – wait for the block and then straight ahead – Moreno made a living in college dancing so he has yet to fully unlearn those things. When he does he will be something very special indeed!

by Flunkie on Oct 29, 2009 2:54 PM MDT up reply actions

stick to the run

BMore after setting a record for not giving up a 100 yard rusher for 1000 games has been torched the last two weeks. i think McD will pound it on an aging once proud defense. Where have the Ed Reed highlights gone?

by WARDANE33 on Oct 29, 2009 10:12 AM MDT reply actions

The key for success in this game all hinges on stopping Rice.

Rice with his short stocky build makes him hard to tackle. Our defense won’t get away with those ankle tackles they had on Tomlinson and Floyd Monday before last. We contain Rice and we will have success because I believe Champ can handle Mason fairly well and Goodman will be all over Mark Clayton. Todd Heap is another worrysome TE who will keep DJ and Davis or Woodyard busy, but with enough pressure on Flacco Heap will have to stay in and help block. Flacco for second year quarterback is very poised behind the center and we have to bring it to him just like we did against Rivers in the second half of that game. Don’t let him get too comfortable in his 5 or 7 step drops.

Back to Rice, he is multi-talented back who handles the dump off pass as well as anybody in the league, so stopping him would be huge. Go get ’em boys!

by bfree2bronc on Oct 29, 2009 11:52 AM MDT reply actions

Nice 1st post JesseDForrer

Welcome to MHR.

Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks

by KaptainKirk on Oct 29, 2009 12:39 PM MDT reply actions

He'll be taking a Holliday to Dumervil!

Been waiting for an opportunity to use that.. lol

by HorseStance on Oct 29, 2009 3:07 PM MDT reply actions

Flacco will fail, Dumervil will prevail!!!! Please somebody call Daniels, and tell him every third down, do what he did two weeks ago! You got to beat the Ravens for this Steeler fan!

by BadChad on Oct 30, 2009 7:09 AM MDT reply actions