If the Denver Broncos are going to beat the Baltimore Ravens, they are going to need some big performances from key guys on both sides of the ball.
The Baltimore Ravens are slated to head to the Mile High City for a showdown against the Denver Broncos. The history between these two teams is well documented at this point and it’s safe to say that most in Broncos Country still have a sour taste in their mouths that has been lingering for nearly nine years.
It still feels like a “revenge” game when the Denver Broncos face off against the Baltimore Ravens, and it probably will for quite some times.
Many fans still have not forgiven the Jacksonville Jaguars for ruining a shot at a Super Bowl in the 90s for Denver.
History between these two teams aside, the focus is on the here and now.
4 Broncos players that must step up big to beat the Ravens
The Denver Broncos are 3-0 in this young season, going undefeated in the month of September which had been an issue for Vic Fangio in 2019 and 2020 (0-7 in that month previously).
Getting off to a hot start was essential, and that’s exactly what the Denver Broncos did. But it can’t end there.
This Denver team has been absolutely dominant defensively through three games, not allowing a single red zone appearance in weeks two and three to the Jaguars or Jets after giving up only one legitimate score to the Giants in week one.
As awesome as the defense has been, the play of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has exceeded any lofty expectations.
Bridgewater won the team’s quarterback competition out of training camp and has so far been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL.
After playing teams with a combined 0-9 record in September, tougher tests are now going to be coming in weekly. The Broncos have a nice cushion with three wins and eight home games remaining, including this matchup against the Ravens.
Can they get to 4-0?
If they’re going to do it, then these four players are going to have to step up in a big way.
4 Broncos players that must step up big to beat the Ravens
1. Noah Fant, TE
In week one, the Denver Broncos’ passing game featured Jerry Jeudy.
In week two, it was Courtland Sutton.
In week three, it was Tim Patrick.
Week four could be Noah Fant’s turn to be featured, though I would argue he should get a package of at least seven or eight targets weekly, especially with Jeudy and KJ Hamler not playing.
Fant is one of the best tight ends in the game right now, and he’s got 12 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown through three games.
As talented as this player is, those numbers have to be better.
In week one, the Las Vegas Raiders used Darren Waller to torch the Baltimore Ravens to the tune of 10 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown.
In week two, the Ravens had to go up against the Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce. Kelce finished the game with seven receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.
In week three, they had to go up against TJ Hockenson, Fant’s old running mate at Iowa. Hockenson had just two receptions for 10 yards.
Still, the Raiders and Chiefs have proven that the tight end might be key to finding soft spots in this Ravens defense. Thankfully, the Denver Broncos have three really good ones.
Expect a lot of Noah Fant in this game, but also plenty of Albert Okwuegbunam and Eric Saubert.
4 Broncos players that must step up big to beat the Ravens
2. Bryce Callahan, CB
So much attention has been drawn in the early goings of the 2021 season to different Denver Broncos defensive studs.
Von Miller, Pat Surtain II, Justin Simmons, Kareem Jackson, Dre’Mont Jones, and others.
One player that gets consistently underrated is Bryce Callahan, who frankly is one of the best corners in the game when he’s out there and healthy.
Callahan has been tremendous in the first three games of the 2021 season, to no one’s surprise.
Unfortunately, injuries have played a huge factor in his first three years in Denver, but Callahan has been really good whenever he’s available, and we need to see more of that against the Ravens.
Callahan is typically lined up in the slot as the Denver Broncos’ nickel cornerback, so we could see him matched up against a number of different players.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see Callahan go up against Mark Andrews, who is the Ravens’ best weapon in the passing game, and Lamar Jackson’s preferred number one target.
Callahan is one of the last remaining members of the vaunted Denver Broncos secondary without an interception this season.
Could that change in week four?
4 Broncos players that must step up big to beat the Ravens
3. David Moore, WR
Yes, David Moore is the new guy the Denver Broncos stole off the Raiders’ practice squad.
Yes, I still think he should be included in this list despite having his first real practices with the Broncos this week.
Moore signed a two-year deal in free agency with the Carolina Panthers this past offseason before getting let go due to the emergence of rookie Terrace Marshall. The emergence of Marshall gave the Carolina Panthers the trio they were looking for and they decided to save the money they planned to spend on Moore and use it elsewhere or save it.
Moore has 13 touchdown catches over the last three seasons and many of those have come as a result of his outstanding long speed.
Without Jerry Jeudy or KJ Hamler, the Denver Broncos don’t have a 4.4 guy at receiver other than Diontae Spencer, who should be strictly returning kicks and punts.
I think we’re going to not only see Moore play in this game, but play a substantial role. Ask the guy to run the old “get open on hut” play and find ways to get him involved.
If nothing else, he’s going to need to be involved early to keep the Ravens’ defense honest. They need to know that the Broncos have a deep threat that can hurt them with speed.
It’s always exciting to add new players and although no one wanted to see KJ Hamler go down with an injury, his inexperience and youth compared to the experience of Moore might just mean the Denver Broncos have a slight upgrade on their hands for the time being.
4 Broncos players that must step up big to beat the Ravens
4. Dre’Mont Jones, DL
Although Dre’Mont Jones is certainly a player who impacts the game more than just statistically, this is a player who is starting to rack up pressures that are soon to turn into sacks.
Jones has been one of the Denver Broncos’ best defensive players through the first few weeks of the season, winning with his combination of quickness off the ball and underrated power.
Jones had one play against the New York Jets where he drove former Denver Broncos center Connor McGovern seven yards into the backfield while making a massive tackle for loss.
Jones has been winning with power, quickness, his outstanding spin move, and he’s been drawing double teams, especially against the New York Jets.
The Baltimore Ravens offensive line is beat up. As strong as their running game is from a schematic perspective, Jones should be able to have his way up front.
We know how aggressive he likes to be, but staying disciplined against Lamar Jackson and his ability to take off up the middle of the field when the defense overpursues is going to be crucial.
Denver Broncos steal from the Raiders to replace KJ Hamler
The Denver Broncos lost KJ Hamler to a season-ending ACL injury. To replace him, they stole David Moore from their division rival Las Vegas Raiders.
Jones should have a substantial impact on this game as the Denver Broncos need to make sure that Jackson is feeling heat up the middle all game long.