Broncos know they have their work cut out against Ravens

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 9, 2006 at midnight

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Just about the time Broncos linebacker Al Wilson tips his head down a sliver and looks out the top of his eyes with eyebrows raised, rest assured there is a point about to be made.

"Statement? I've heard that a lot about a lot of games for a long time," Wilson said. "The statement is always the same. Win the game. We always want to win, every time out, that's how we approach it.

"We know what we want to be. The guys in this locker room know what we want to be, and that doesn't change. We have to go out every week and do it."

Cable-ready America comes to Invesco Field at Mile High tonight to see the Broncos (2-1) take on the Baltimore Ravens (4-0) in what is expected to be a bruise-inducing affair. The Ravens are one of three undefeated teams in the league.

Denver hasn't played since a hard-earned road win against the New England Patriots on Sept. 24, but in many ways, the Broncos have spent the better part of three weeks digging out from their season-opening loss in St. Louis.

"I think we're getting closer to what we can do," Broncos safety John Lynch said. "I think we've felt from the beginning in training camp this was a talented team capable of great things if we play the way we're capable of playing. That's where

we're at, that's what we're concerned with right now.

"And against a team like the Ravens, you have to do everything you're capable of to win."

So, in all of the numbers that swirl in this game - especially the fact the Broncos defense has surrendered only one touchdown in three games combined while the Ravens have surrendered three second-half points all season - it likely will be which of the quarterbacks can negotiate those defenses that decides the issue.

"I know I have to keep us in manageable situations," Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer said. "You want situations in second and third down where you have options. If we're in situations where it's third-and-7, third- and-8, you're in a situation there where the defense is going to be coming and can dictate.

"That means we have to run the ball, absolutely. And it just might not be pretty at times. But it's about positive yardage, getting on those positive situations where you make enough plays to get it done."

The Broncos, despite some sluggishness at times in the offense, have leaned on that run game in their first three games. Denver has rushed for at least 144 yards in each game, a total that includes two 100- yard games by Tatum Bell. It also will be Bell's second game as the primary back, having been elevated out of the rotation with Mike Bell for the Patriots game.

"And that can lift a sideline," Lynch said. "When our offense is at its best, they're just grinding it out."

"Well, we think we can run against everybody," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "It is very seldom that you go against a team that is giving up 2 yards a rush on the road for a 2.6 average over the season. There is a defense that believes they can stop us and an offense that believes they can run it, and it has always been tough."

The Ravens entered games Sunday as the league's second-ranked defense overall in yards allowed per game, the No. 1 team in sacks (17), were tied for the league lead in interceptions - with St. Louis - with eight and were tied for the AFC lead in takeaways (12).

Baltimore linebacker Bart Scott was among the league leaders in sacks, with five.

"And when you have a defense like that, you have to do everything you can to keep your team in position to win," Ravens quarterback Steve McNair said. "You have to avoid those mistakes that cost you ballgames. If you punt, you punt, because those guys we have on the other side of the ball are going to do what they do.

"My job as a quarterback is not to make that any harder. That's why when our offense does what it can, it could be scary, because we're still not there."

A fourth-quarter field goal by Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski in Week 2 constitutes the only points the Ravens' first four opponents have mustered after halftime this season. But with the Ravens offense having gained only 270.2 yards per game and gone without a 100-yard rushing game from any of their backs, Baltimore has needed that kind of performance from the defense.

The Ravens also have needed two comeback drives led by McNair in the game's final minutes - for a field goal against Cleveland, a game they trailed 14-3 at one point, and for a touchdown against the Chargers last weekend - during their past two games to keep their record unblemished.

They continue to hope that as McNair's comfort level in the offense grows - he came to the team in a June trade - that the production will rise overall as well.

"Steve is such a cool cat back there," Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox said. "We know it's going to come."

The Broncos defense has allowed a 300-yard passer (Tom Brady) this season and two 100- yard rushers (the Chiefs' Larry Johnson and the Rams' Steven Jackson) but it has kept teams out of the end zone. The Patriots have scored the only touchdown against the Broncos.

"People have asked a lot this week, you know, but we feel like we're the best in the business," Wilson said. "That's how you have to feel when you play this game. I know Baltimore thinks the same thing. So, nobody's going to get involved with all that.

"You play, you see how you do when the chips are down. That's what it is. We'll be ready, they'll be ready, let's go play."

ETC.: Lynch will wear a microphone during the game as part of the ESPN broadcast . . . Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who grew up in Baltimore, is expected to be interviewed during the broadcast.

Strive for five

Jeff Legwold's keys for the Broncos in their game tonight against Baltimore:

1 Commit. The Ravens attack up the field on defense, vary their fronts and try to push offenses into bad spots on third down so they can then get serious about pounding the quarterback. The Broncos will have to run with purpose to slow that and give their play-action game an opportunity in the passing attack. Denver has to stay patient, because it just might not look all that good sometimes.

2 Great Scott. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed each have won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award, but it's linebacker Bart Scott who has been the impact player in the Ravens defense thus far. Five sacks, 43 tackles, an interception and six passes defensed. That's a busy guy the Broncos will have to find before the snap.

3 Heap it on. When push comes to shove, Ravens quarterback Steve McNair will look to the tight end for help. Sometimes it's Daniel Wilcox, but much of the time it will be Todd Heap. Broncos linebacker Ian Gold or safety Sam Brandon will get plenty of work tonight because of that.

4 Finders keepers. The Ravens have recovered three fumbles this season and snared eight interceptions already. The Broncos have had more than one turnover in only one game this year - the one they lost in St. Louis to begin the season.

5 Don't leave it there. The Broncos want the win, certainly, but they should be mindful that the Browns and Chargers probably thought they had the Ravens beat during the past two weeks, only to watch McNair steal the wins.

D is for defense

The Broncos (2-1) and Ravens (4-0) have been two of the most difficult defenses in the league for offenses to score on this season:

Category Broncos Ravens

Points allowed 31 33

Avg. points allowed 10.3 8.3

TDs allowed 1 3

Total net yards allowed/game 322.0 219.0

Rushing yards allowed/game 106.7 63.3

Passing yards allowed/game 215.3 155.8

NUMBERS GAME

200th regular-season game that the Broncos' Mike Shanahan will be coaching tonight, against Baltimore. According to the Broncos, he needs a win to tie Chuck Knox and Marty Schottenheimer for the third-most victories (125) by a coach through his first 200 career regular-season games among those who began their career in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). Joe Gibbs and Bud Grant are tied for first with 130 victories.

176 points in 24 games make Broncos kicker Jason Elam the scoring leader among NFL active players on Monday Night Football. Elam is also the active leader in field goals made on MNF (41).

legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2359

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