The Ravens got dealt a bad hand having to play in the early Saturday game after dispatching Indianapolis at home Sunday. Not only do the Ravens travel to the high altitude of Denver, but will be on short rest. That’s not the only problem the Ravens encounter against the rested Broncos. Baltimore is not a good road team. The Ravens haven’t been sharp losing and failing to cover in four of their last six games. Baltimore’s defensive isn’t close to being elite anymore. The Ravens met four playoff teams outside of their division and allowed 30 points to the Patriots, 31 to the Redskins, 34 to the Broncos and 43 to the Texans. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata are all playing hurt. They aren’t going to be able to stop Peyton Manning, who at 36 had one of his greatest seasons. Manning threw 37 touchdown passes with a 105.8 quarterback rating. Only Aaron Rodgers ranked higher. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker emerged as one of the NFL’s top two or three receiver tandems. The Ravens’ secondary hasn’t been the same since los- ing cornerback Lardarius Webb in Week 6. Denver ranked No. 2 in total defense and fourth in scoring defense holding foes to 18.1 points per game. Thanks to Manning and an excellent defense, the Broncos are the hottest team with 11 straight wins going 8-3 ATS. The Broncos rolled past the Ravens 34-17 on the road in mid-December. The game was more lopsided than the final score as the Ravens trailed 31-3 in the fourth quarter. It was the ninth straight time Manning has defeated Baltimore, although first with Denver. Joe Flacco is the only quarter- back in NFL history to make the playoffs during his first five years. Flacco has won four road playoff matchups. Still, Flacco has a strong history of playing much bet- ter at home. His road touchdown-to-interception ratio was just 7-to-5 this season. Flacco relies heavily on Ray Rice, who has been held under 79 yards rushing in six of his last nine games. Flacco can expect pressure from Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. The duo combined for 29.5 sacks and 12 forced fumbles helping Denver tie for the lead in sacks with 52. Flacco killed his team in the first meet- ing against Denver getting picked off by Chris Harris near the goal line with 15 seconds left in the first half. Harris returned the interception 98 yards for the touchdown. Add it all up and you find the Broncos with the superior quarterback, defense, special teams with punter Britton Colquitt and dangerous returner Trindon Holliday, while also owning a huge situational edge being rested at home while Baltimore travels on a short week. DENVER 30-16.
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