Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (10/3/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (10/3/21)

The start of a season is a perfect time for overreactions. Even if it’s just three games, everyone feels like an expert from what they’ve seen. Well, if we’re going off the first three games alone, the Denver Broncos are one of the best teams in the league. The Broncos are not just putting up points, but completely shutting down opponents. They’re coming off a shutout win over the New York Jets, and currently sit at 3-0, two games ahead of AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs. However, the team’s been criticized for their lack of quality opponents, as they’ve only faced the New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Jets so far. This is the game where we get a real feel for who the Broncos actually are.

The Baltimore Ravens, have won games, but they have not been dominating teams. They lost in overtime to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, came back to beat the Chiefs the following game, and barely beat the Detroit Lions on a last-second field goal. They’re walking on a tightrope right now, but it sure is fun to watch. Unless they get some more consistency, they’re going to have issues standing out in the AFC. They travel to Denver to battle with the Broncos this Sunday. With two teams wanting to keep a win streak going, let’s see what to expect this Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Betting Odds

This is not an easy game to pick. The Broncos have been consistently shutting down bad teams and the Ravens have been playing good and bad teams close. I will say, I expect a close match here that very well could depend on who has their hands on the ball last. But who comes out on top?

I don’t see the Ravens defense being able to stop the Broncos balanced attack every drive. They’re going to have plenty of trouble stopping a multi-faceted rushing attack and an accurate passing game. However, I can see Denver making stops when it counts in this game. Lamar Jackson will keep them on their toes, but I’m sold on Vic Fangio’s defense finally getting it together this season. 

After last week’s win, Teddy Bridgewater is 38-14 against the spread. That’s nothing to scoff at. Meanwhile, I could see cracks starting to form in the Ravens playstyle with Lamar Jackson as the season goes on. You can’t let a single player do it all while a team deals with major injuries, especially when that player himself is currently battling a back injury. That started showing in the very close win against the Lions. Last week, a field goal gave the Ravens the win at the end of the game. This Sunday, it’ll be the Broncos that win with a fourth-quarter kick. 

My predictions: Broncos win 27-24, Broncos -1,  over 45

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, October 3
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: Empower Field at Might High – Denver, CO
TV Coverage: CBS

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Live Stream

Where can you watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Free Online Now.

Injuries

Baltimore Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson (back) Q, CB Tavon Young (knee) Q, OT Alejandro Villanueva (knee) Q, DE Derek Wolfe (back/hip) O, S DeShon Elliott (quad) Q

Denver Broncos: Melvin Gordon III (ribs) Q, DT Mike Purcell (knee) Q, LB Andre Mintze (hamstring) Q, LB Jonas Griffith (hamstring) IR, WR KJ Hamler (knee) IR, G Graham Glasgow (knee) Q, G Dalton Risner (ankle) Q, LB Bradley Chubb (ankle) Q

Baltimore Ravens Analysis

Is it hyperbole to say that Lamar Jackson is carrying this team right now? The Ravens are 2-1 thanks in great part to the multi-faceted play of the dynamic quarterback. His numbers through the air haven’t been spectacular, tossing three TDs with three picks, but he’s finding ways to keep the Ravens in games. Jackson’s legs have been his biggest weapon, leading the team with 251 yards rushing. He’s also been spreading out the ball to his receivers, as wide receivers Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins, along with tight end Mark Andrews have combined for 629 yards so far this season. However, the QB is questionable this Sunday with a back injury. 

The offense as a whole has been putting up numbers. They’re currently ranked fourth in total offense, gaining 424.7 yards per game. Unsurprisingly, it’s been the dominant run game that’s been making the difference. They’re gaining 185.3 yards on the ground per game, including 5.7 yards per attempt. I had my doubts after the team’s running backs started going down with injuries, but this team is finding ways to get yards from their runners, especially their QB.

The defense needs to tighten things up. They’re allowing 393.7 yards per game, ranking 24th in the league. They’re really having trouble covering receivers right now. Opposing QBs are averaging 314.7 yards per game. This could also be attributed to injuries, especially the season-ending ACL tear that took out cornerback Marcus Peters for the year. Whatever it is, last year’s top-rated defense is not performing.

Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB1: Tyson Williams
RB2: Latvius Murray
WR1: Devin Duvernay
WR2: Marquise Brown
WR3: Sammy Watkins
TE1: Mark Andrews

Denver Broncos Analysis

There’s something different about this Broncos squad. They’ve won easy games, yes, but that’s what good teams do. Things seem to be clicking in the third year of head coach Vic Fangio, and now they’ll get a chance to show their growth against the Ravens. While I wasn’t originally keen on QB Teddy Bridgewater, he’s looked great in three games. He’s tossed four touchdowns without a single interception and is completing 76.8% of his passes. Losing two of his receivers to injury is a definite concern, but Denver is pretty deep in that department. 

Denver’s running game has also surprised this year. The duo of Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams has been racking up some yards. Combined, the two have gained 330 yards and gotten into the end zone three times. The entire team is gaining 127.3 yards on the ground per game, and that may be key to their success down the road. A balanced attack and a strong defense wins you games in the NFL, and Denver’s looking to field both. 

And yes, we’ve got to talk about this defense. The Broncos are dominating opposing offenses like it’s 2015 again. They’re allowing just 221.7 total yards per game and allowing a league-low 8.7 points per game. Yes, the competition hasn’t been high quality, but you can’t argue with the results. Von Miller has looked tremendous in his comeback from injury, putting up four sacks so far this year. Miller and company have their work come out for this week against the Ravens running attack. 

Denver Broncos Depth Chart

QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB1: Melvin Gordon III
RB2: Javonte Williams
WR1: David Moore
WR2: Cortland Sutton
WR3: Tim Patrick
TE1: Noah Fant

Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos Daily Fantasy Picks

Some bettors might undervalue the Broncos receiving corps because of the team’s lackluster passing game the past few years. But there’s definitely some value here. Broncos WR Tim Patrick might be worth a look for Sunday’s game. The Broncos are now down two of their wide receivers, and Patrick’s going to have to pick up some of the slack. He’s facing a diminished Ravens pass defense and has an ultra-accurate QB passing to him. Expect him to rack up some yards and perhaps even find the end zone in this matchup. 

Along those lines, consider grabbing tight end Noah Fant. He will also have more opportunities due to receiver injuries, and will likely be a major red zone option for Bridgewater. He’s only listed at $4,300 on DraftKings, cheaper than Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts, who is scoring fewer fantasy points per game.