Flacco To Flay The Bottling Broncos

Having grabbed some of the Baltimore Ravens +9 (absolutely massive) I still think +7.5 is huge value on the Ravens.
Yes, this is at the Mile High Stadium (should have been in Baltimore but had to switch the game due to Baseball), yes the Broncos are gunning for the Ravens and out for revenge and yes the Ravens have lost some key personal.
But so have the Broncos. No Champ Bailey or Von Miller tonight while Elvis Dumervil has signed for the Ravens. They will be huge losses for the Broncos.
The Ravens finally worked out they have an elite QB on their hands with Joe Flacco and trusted him to run the offence let on in the season and boy did he work for them. He was absolutely outstanding in leading Baltimore to Superbowl glory.
Ok Lewis has gone, as has Ed Smith and Ellerbe and Cary Williams. Big losses.
But Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs and a healthy Lardarius Webb are still Pro Bowl defenders. Replacing Lewis and Ellerbe will be rookie Arthur Brown and Jameel McClain who
is coming back from a spine injury. Newcomers Elvis Dumervil, Chris Canty and Michael Huff will all help the Ravens combat the AFC’s toughest schedule and the players they have lost.
It's all about getting pressure on Peyton Manning for the Ravens D. That's where the pass-rushing tandem of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil figures to come in handy. If they can harass Manning and keep him from getting comfortable in the pocket.
The Broncos could have a difficult time accounting for Suggs and Dumervil with single-blocking schemes, with any extra blocking attention liable to create opportunities for defensive linemen Haloti Ngata and Chris Canty.
Flip it the other way and you wonder how much pressure the Broncos can get on Joe Flacco.
The Broncos' formidable pass rush has been severely depleted. Between Pro Bowl Von Miller being suspended for the first six games for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy and Dumervil now playing for the Ravens, the Broncos defense isn't the same. Miller and Dumervil combined for 19.5 sacks last season.
Without having to face that duo, Flacco could have extra time to throw against a front seven whose best remaining pass rusher is former San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips. With more time to pick out his targets, Flacco could be in store for a storming game.
And with no Champ Bailey, the developing chemistry between Flacco and Smith could be on display big time tonight.
And now we move on to Ray Rice. Expect Ray Rice to be heavily utilised tonight.
The Ravens pounded the Broncos last season in the playoffs with a physical downhill running game.
Rice was the centerpiece, following big blocks from fullback Vonta Leach and guard Marshal Yanda for long gains.
He finished with 131 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.
The Broncos haven't upgraded their front seven and have a somewhat undersized linebacker corps.
All in all, the Baltimore Ravens are a stunning bet tonight with a 7.5pt start. Stunning.
Baltimore have won their last three out of four against Denver.
Baltimore have a fantastic record in the month of September over the past 5 years.
Denver have traditionally improved in the second half of a season.
Enjoy the game and lump on Baltimore!!