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Hardest game of the week to pick. Baltimore has lost three in a row -- by six at New England, by three to Cincinnati on a couple of dumb penalties on the winning Bengal drive, and by two to Minnesota after scoring 21 in the last 10 minutes. Ravens will be the more desperate team Sunday. Just a hunch. Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 20, Denver Broncos 16
--Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News picks the matchup between the Ravens and Denver Broncos as his "AFC Game of the Week." He also expects the Ravens to win in a close game.
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens. With Pittsburgh and Cincinnati threaten to separate from them in the AFC North race, the Ravens need this game badly, and will play like it. They can't rely on just coming off an open week, however, because the Broncos have the same benefit.
Neither can expect much from the running games, because the defenses will work well to take those away. So it will come down to which quarterback, Joe Flacco or Kyle Orton can make more big plays.
Orton has great receivers in Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, and along with Tony Scheffler, that's a great arsenal with which to burn Baltimore's suspect pass coverage. The Broncos have a good secondary, but Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton can't be overlooked on the perimeter.
The X-factor who help the Ravens is Ray Rice, who has excelled as a receiving back this season. Rice will be in good position to take screens a long way when the Broncos blitz. Then the energy and emotion of playing at home will finally put the Ravens on the right end of a squeaker. Ravens 26, Broncos 23.
--The four analysts on ESPN's Sunday Countdown are split down the middle. Keyshawn Johnson and Cris Carter pick the Ravens, while Mike Ditka and Tom Jackson favor the Broncos.
--Five out of the eight NFL "experts" on ESPN.com think the Ravens will defeat the Broncos.
--According to ESPN.com's Madden 10 simulation and Jon Robinson, the Ravens will top Denver, 24-20.
One of the biggest AFC games of the season so far finds the undefeated Broncos -- a team that has to be considered the best surprise of the season so far -- putting their six-game winning streak on the line against the Ravens and that ferocious D.
--As part of Showtime's Inside the NFL show, Phil Simms and Warren Sapp picked the Ravens, while Cris Collinsworth thinks the Broncos to win.
--FoxSports.com's Adam Schein says it's time for the Broncos to lose for the first time this season.
I wrote my apology letter to Josh McDaniels last Thursday. I am buying in. Denver is winning the division.
But Baltimore is suddenly a desperate 3-3 team. I don't see the Ravens losing four straight, and I think Joe Flacco can make plays against the Denver defense. Plus, in his last three games, Ray Rice is averaging 163 total yards per game.
--Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com believes the Ravens will edge the Broncos.
It took a couple of months, but the Broncos' bandwagon is now officially full. No more passengers. The collective lovefest is sold out. I tried buying a ticket before Week 6's Monday night win in San Diego but was told "No Thank You" and handed a 2009-10 Denver Nuggets media guide, instead. The Baltimore bandwagon, meanwhile, which was fully loaded after three September wins, is now completely barren. Empty. You can get a seat in first class if you want. You know what? I will. I'll take the home team -- without the loaded caravan of media hanger-ons and talking head sycophants -- in a close one on Sunday. The Pick: Ravens 20, Broncos 16 --All three Yahoo Sports NFL analysts pick the Ravens to beat the Broncos.
--CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco expects the Ravens to win by a touchdown.
Both teams are coming off byes, so they will be rested. The Ravens are in desperation mode. They have to win this game to have a real chance to win their division. They've lost three in a row and their defense has struggled. The Broncos have played great defense and they've taken care of the football. But I get a sense that the Ravens will be ready here. The defense shows up.
--CBSSports.com's Harmon Forecast predicts the Ravens will lose, 26-20..
Broncos QB Kyle Orton has played mistake-free football all year with his lone interception in 194 attempts coming on a Hail Mary at the end of a half. Orton should continue his success against a Ravens secondary which has allowed 21 pass plays of 20 yards or more. Ravens QB Joe Flacco could struggle against a Broncos defense that ranks in the top 10 in passing defense, because they don't allow many long passes to be completed.
--Only two out of the six "experts" on CBSSports.com predict the Ravens will cover the 3 1/2-point spread against the Broncos.
[Compiled by Dean Jones Jr.]
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