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The Denver Broncos will get a true acid test in Week 4 of the 2021 NFL season, with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens coming to town for a must-watch showdown between two AFC powers. The Broncos have a spotless record to date, but they have yet to face a legitimate force, so far. That’s what they are going to get from the Ravens. Will the Ravens expose Denver? Or, will the Broncos prove they’re the real deal? With that said, here’s our Ravens-Broncos prediction and preview.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Sunday’s game.
NFL Odds: Ravens-Broncos Odds
Baltimore Ravens -1 (-110)
Denver Broncos +1 (-110)
Over 45.0 points (-105)
Under 45.0 points (-115)
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Why the Ravens Could Win
Sure, the Broncos are undefeated and all that, but who have they really beaten to get to 3-0? Quite frankly, Denver has picked on teams who are bound to pick high in the 2022 NFL Draft. All the teams they have defeated so far are still winless entering Week 4 of the season. Plus, Denver’s defense hasn’t faced a quarterback like Lamar Jackson this year.
Jackson could have a field day against the Broncos’ stop unit that is allowing just 8.7 points per game but has dealt with two rookie quarterbacks. There are some concerns about the availability of Jackson after he missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday because of a back issue, but he was able to give it a go on Friday, so he should be fine on Sunday. Jackson passed for 287 yards and a touchdown with an interception while going 16-for-31 in Week 3’s 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions. Despite good numbers Denver’s defense has posted this early in the season, Jackson should be able to find holes on that stop unit that is missing a number of key pieces. Denver won’t have Bradley Chubb, Josey Jewell, and Jonas Griffith.
The Ravens have covered the spread in eight of their last 11 games.
Why the Broncos Could Win
Sometimes, momentum is everything a team needs, and that is exactly what the Broncos undeniably have. Say what you want to say about their paperweight schedule from Weeks 1-3, but it must feel so good for Denver that it is 3-0 and on top of the AFC West. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who has completed nearly 77% of his passes after three games and has collected 827 passing yards and four passing touchdowns without an interception, has another opportunity to shine against Baltimore’s defense that is giving up almost 29 points and nearly 400 yards per game.
Granted that the Ravens faced the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 and the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, they did allow the Lions to score 17 points in the second half of their 19-17 win last Sunday. Bridgewater and the Broncos’ attack is much livelier than the Lions. Denver is averaging 25.3 points per game and though the team won’t have KJ Hamler and Jerry Jeudy in Week 4, as both are on the injured reserve, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, and the rising Tim Patrick form a trio that should be a threat to Baltimore that has already been burned by opposing offenses with 14 20+ yards plays this season. And even though Denver is missing Chubb, Von Miller is healthy. He must be licking his chops over the prospect of smashing Baltimore’s pass protection that’s just 25th in the NFL with an 8.42 offensive QB sacked percentage
The Broncos are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games versus AFC teams.
Final Ravens-Broncos Prediction & Pick
The Broncos’ success has been played down because of the quality of their opponents, but in this game, they will show that they’re a legitimate threat to win the AFC. They know the importance of this game and that should show on the play of Bridgewater. Take the Broncos to win and cover.
FINAL PICK: Ravens -1 (-110)
