When Denver played Baltimore last season, it was the end of the beginning for the Ravens.
For the Broncos, it was the beginning of the end.
The Ravens’ 30-7 victory in Week 8 stopped a three-game losing streak and sent them on their way to the AFC divisional playoffs. The Broncos, who were 6-0 entering the game, spiraled to a 2-8 finish.
When the teams meet Sunday, the Broncos’ No. 1 pass offense takes on the Ravens’ No. 1 pass defense.
The Ravens (119 passing yards per game allowed), have one interception (only the Bills have less) and a modest seven sacks. Their four opponents – the Jets, Bengals, Browns and Steelers – were a combined 56-of-101 passing.
Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton is 118 of 175 (67.4 percent) for a league-leading 1,419 yards, the second-highest total in NFL history after the first four games of the regular season. Kurt Warner threw for 1,557 for the Rams in 2000.
Denver (2-2) needs to protect Orton better – he has been sacked 11 times. Without Orton, the Broncos would be in trouble. They average 55 rushing yards per game, last in the NFL.
Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury. His replacement, Laurence Maroney, had five yards on 11 carries in Denver's 26-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans last week.
Denver’s wide receivers have provided Orton with plenty of support. Brandon Lloyd (three consecutive 100-yard games) and Eddie Royal have 25 receptions apiece, and Jabar Gaffney (22) and rookie Demaryius Thomas (11) have added depth to the stable.
The Ravens have allowed 116.8 yards per game rushing, but among their opponents were three of the top 14 rushing offenses in the NFL and two of the top seven – the Jets and Steelers.
But only the final score really matters, and the Ravens have allowed 13.8 points per game.
The Broncos’ defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season despite facing two of the NFL’s best in the Titans’ Chris Johnson (53 yards) and the Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew (98). They will have to deal with the Ravens’ Ray Rice, although he has been slowed by a knee injury.
Quarterback Joe Flacco hasn’t been spectacular (57.2 completion percentage, 5 TDs, 6 INTs) statistics-wise, but he has led the Ravens to a 3-1 start. His 18-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh with 32 seconds left gave the Ravens a 17-14 victory over the Steelers last week.
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin leads the Ravens with 27 catches and three touchdowns. Rice leads the Ravens with 260 yards rushing.