- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Will the Denver Broncos start the 2015-16 NFL season with a win or will the Baltimore Ravens rain on their parade? Join The Roar from 6:20am (AEST) for live coverage.
The Broncos and Ravens are early favourites for the AFC Championship, having combined for two Super Bowl appearances in the past three years, and this match shapes as one of the most tantalising and promising fixtures of Week 1.
The Broncos are starting fresh, with former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak arriving as head coach. This will provide Denver with the best possible insight into Baltimore, although it will be expected by the Ravens.
Fresh from the Houston Texans, free safety Kendrick Lewis shapes as the key player for the Ravens. In 16 games in 2014 he made six pass defences, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 84 tackles.
Lewis has filled the void left by Darian Stewart at Baltimore, who is now at the Broncos, and the two will battle for best safety on the field.
Defensive linesman Timmy Jernigan is in doubt for the Ravens, as is cornerback Rashaan Melvin, running back Lorenzo Taliaferro and wide receiver (and 26th pick in the 2015 NFL draft) Breshad Perriman.
The key for the Ravens is to use Justin Forsett off the hands of Joe Flacco to make good rushing yards. This will allow the Ravens to get in better position for long-range passing and will also cause the Broncos’ defense to come off balance. Their 126.2 rushing yards per game in 2014 saw them ranked 7th in the league.
Denver must be patient with their plays by making Peyton Manning to wait so that they can find the right options in order to gain yardage.
For this very reason, the game will be won in offense with either of Joe Flacco or Peyton Manning to win the game for their respective franchises.
Prediction
The Ravens will reign supreme.
Ravens by 6.
Join The Roar from 6:20am (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Hey, supercoach? Choose your own ultimate NFL team and compete with other players for cash prizes in daily competitions on any match. If you’re after the best odds on the NFL, PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.