Ravens vs. Broncos: Will Baltimore Rise Again After Last Week’s Setback?
The Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos enter this weekend with identical 5-3 records, heading into their Week Nine matchup at M&T Bank Stadium. Both teams had similar starts to the season, starting 0-2 before rebounding to contend for a playoff spot as we reach the midpoint of the 2024 NFL season. The Ravens are coming off a shaky performance on the road against the 2-6 Cleveland Browns, which resulted in a loss that snapped their five-game win streak. The defense continued to struggle against the pass, allowing the Browns' offense to score over 20 points for the first time all season. As a result, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston, making his first NFL start in over two seasons, capitalized on the Ravens' defensive miscues. Meanwhile, the Broncos are coming off back-to-back wins over the Saints and Panthers, both of whom they handled comfortably. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has slowly started to settle in as the starter for the Broncos offense, coming off his best performance last week in Carolina, where he threw for three passing touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown.
For the Ravens to rebound this Sunday against the surging Broncos, who have won five of their last six games, they will have to do so while dealing with an influx of injuries compared to the first eight weeks of the season. Most of these injuries have occurred on the Ravens' defense, with both the secondary and defensive line being hit the hardest. During the Ravens' final practice on Friday afternoon, defensive linemen Broderick Washington and Travis Jones both returned to practice after Jones missed Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury, and Washington missed Thursday due to a knee injury. With veteran defensive tackle Michael Pierce being placed on IR earlier this week due to a calf injury, and set to miss at least the next four games, the Ravens' pass rush will need to adjust to the recent influx of injuries. As they search for a more consistent pass-rushing force, the Ravens will hope to continue their success against rookie quarterbacks. They have a reputation for disrupting rookie quarterbacks' rhythm in the pocket and making it a long day for them, with Bo Nix being next on deck.
On the offensive side of the ball, Ravens fans' concerns about Lamar Jackson missing the first two days of practice this week and possibly missing his first game due to injury in two seasons were put to rest when Jackson returned to practice on Friday after being listed with back and knee issues. The Ravens' offense is coming off a performance against the Browns that included several missed opportunities to capitalize on wide-open receivers and dropped passes. This week, the Ravens will be facing a Broncos defense that has had a strong start to the season, ranking third in both sacks with 30 and total yards allowed, giving up an average of 282.6 per game. Most importantly, the Ravens hope to find better success on third down compared to last week against the Browns, when they converted just two of 10 third-down attempts, which was uncharacteristic for a Ravens offense that ranks third in efficiency on third down at 46.5 percent. This is the first of two games within five days, and as the Ravens play on Thursday Night Football in Week 10, their ability to accomplish these tasks and come out on the winning side on Sunday will be crucial, with two straight divisional games against the Bengals and Steelers looming.
