The Denver Broncos (3-0) will host the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here’s our quick preview for the AFC showdown.
Broncos’ keys to victory: The Ravens have a stingy run defense, so Denver might not be able to rely on RBs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams to carry the offense. That shouldn’t be a problem, though, because QB Teddy Bridgewater has been near-perfect through the first three weeks of the season, with four scores and no turnovers. Bridgewater will need to continue his stellar form against Baltimore. On defense, the Broncos will focus on slowing down a formidable Ravens rushing attack.
Ravens’ keys to victory: Going up against a Denver secondary full of Pro Bowl talents, QB Lamar Jackson shouldn’t try to beat the Broncos through the air. Even without injured RBs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, Baltimore still has one of the most productive rushing attacks in the NFL. There’s no need to fix what’s no broken, so the Ravens will aim to establish the ground game and control the clock in Denver.
Matchup to watch: Ravens TE Mark Andrews vs. Broncos LB Justin Strnad. Andrews, one of the top tight ends in the league, will be going up against Strnad, a first-year linebacker who’s been asked to step up in the absence of an injured Josey Jewell. Andrews (6-5, 256 pounds) has size and experience edges over Strnad (6-3, 238 pounds), and he could cause problems for Denver’s defense in the red zone.
Who wins? The Broncos are tough to beat at Mile High, but they are yet to face a true test this season (their first three opponents are 0-9 combined), and Baltimore will be eager to hand Denver its first loss of the season. Ravens, 27-23.
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