Cafe Sports Talk: Preview: Ravens vs Broncos

Could the Broncos be re-living the John Elway glory days with Peyton Manning?

For the first time since the 1997-98 seasons, the Broncos faithful have something to be happy about going into this playoffs. They have a great QB behind center. Not since Elway have Broncos fans had so much optimistic hopes on winning another championship. Manning is having one of his better seasons at QB and if, he does pull off the championship feat, will have his second championship. That will tie him with his younger brother, Eli.

Can Ray Lewis continue to bring the energy needed for the Ravens defense to beat the Broncos?

The Ravens defense going into the playoffs have been less impressive and had been that way since Lewis went out with this biceps's injury back in October. However, with him playing his last game in Baltimore, this defense played quite well against the up and coming Colts. Despite him dropping a very easy interception and the Ravens D being on the field for 37 minutes. If those two things happen again this weekend, the Ravens season will come to an end.

Can Joe Flacco make enough big plays vs. this Broncos defense or will Broncos D be too much for Flacco?

Flacco will have to play keep away with Manning if he hopes to win this game. Now the question is, will the vaunted Broncos D let him? Playing very well, the Broncos defense is holding opponents under 100 yards rushing and under 200 yards passing. If they have their way, they will take out both Flacco and Rice, which would be mean "Blowout City" for the Broncos. Can Flacco exploit the defense and use his strong arm to go over the heads of their safeties, all while trying to make sure that Von Miller doesn't take his head off?

Remember 1996 season:

I usually do one intangible with these previews, so I'll do one on a possible history lesson that Broncos don't want to hear. When was the last time the Broncos went 13-3 and was the #1 in the AFC? Well you guess, 1996. For those who remember this, it didn't end well. To add injury to insult, the Super Bowl that year was held in New Orleans. This year's Super Bowl is........you guessed it, New Orleans. That year the Broncos we're the most dominate team in the AFC with the 2nd place team that year being the New England Patriots, who happen to be the 2nd place team this year. If you believe in omens, then you know this may not end well for Broncos fans. Being a double-digit favorite against the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars, most people outside of Denver, believed that the Broncos would destroy them by at least 3 TD's. I sense that most think the same way with this weekend's game with the Ravens. The Jaguars won that game, which is considered by few as the biggest upset in NFL history. Something to think about for Broncos fans this weekend: BE VERY CAREFUL OF THIS GAME!!!

X-Factors: Ray Rice vs Broncos Front Line

Confidence Picks: Ravens (10) vs Broncos (10)

Prediction: Ravens 27-24

Cafe Sports Talk