Week 15: Denver Broncos (10-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

[TDenverFan]

Big game as both teams are jockeying for playoff positions.


Denver 34-24

[Jdoug312]

Ravens 31-24

I think this week will be a breath of fresh air, our new coordinator will display a more balanced offense, with a few new plays (not many as it has only been a week), and our offense will put up big points, getting everyone all hyped and excited for the huge innovation that's to come.

Then of course we'll learn later that Caldwell will not bring about huge innovation, but we'll still all agree that he's better than Cameron.

[JayBee74]

We've had trouble with Manning when we had a Top 2 or 3 defense, plus Denver now has a defense.

Broncos 28 Ravens 17.

[jth1331]

Yeah, I sure as heck would like to know how you expect Baltimore to hang 31 on the Broncos defense.

[8]

Im with JB, Manning has owned the Ravens. Don't look for it to be much different here. I am curious to see if there are any differences in our offense.

[Broncos86]

The Ravens could really struggle on offense this week. Bear in mind that Jim Caldwell, while at one time a head coach, has never been a play-caller before. In fact, the Ravens now do not have an experienced play-caller on the offensive side of the ball. John Harbaugh is not one either.

So the Ravens' offense is a real question mark going into this game. Now, keep in mind, Caldwell can't go changing the whole playbook, so the plays will remain the same. It's more about what he calls. But Ravens fans might want to get ready for potential hiccups in play-calling. You might see Flacco giving the "gimme the call!" look and gesture a few times.

Ray Lewis' potential return could energize the defense; and they need it. I'm sure the Broncos took note of the weak run-stopping by the Ravens recently. With the Broncos' offense sputtering in games recently, there is some real concern that the Broncos' offense has regressed in some ways. That would be indicative of Mike McCoy's failure as an offensive coordinator.

Bear in mind, Mike McCoy was Josh McDaniels' choice. During McDaniels' tenure, the Broncos offense often became predictable; running the same routes over and over. During McD's first season, the Broncos went 6 - 0 before opposing defenses figured out that the Broncos weren't changing up the offense at all. Defenses quickly started to shut down the offense and stymied Kyle Orton. Granted, McCoy worked with John Fox in Carolina, but it's clear that the offense now runs quite similar to the one that McDaniels installed. Mostly shotgun, with play-action and run plays coming from that formation.

In the end, I think the Broncos get up for this one and get the kinks worked out. That being said, it'll be another hard-fought game.

[Bmore Irish]

the thing about the Ravens' offensive playcalling is that it usually is more creative in the beginning of the season, and then just gets blah.

Flacco may hold the ball too long sometimes, or a lot, but wide receivers haven't been getting open on some pretty important downs and situations as well. idk if it's a result of routes that are taking too long to develop, or what. probably also has something to do with the recurring lack of commetment to the running game, which is just bewildering.

given the fact the Caldwell has never really been a playcaller, perhaps we will see a greater reliance on a guy like Ray Rice, and more no-huddle where Flacco and the offense get some tempo going and even let Joe make some calls at the line, as that's apparently what he is more comfortable with.

Not surprised about Cameron getting fired, the timing seems strange, but it's like if it's not workin, no sense in banging your head against a wall.

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bmore Irish 69

the thing about the Ravens' offensive playcalling is that it usually is more creative in the beginning of the season, and then just gets blah. Flacco may hold the ball too long sometimes, or a lot, but wide receivers haven't been getting open on some pretty important downs and situations as well. idk if it's a result of routes that are taking too long to develop, or what. probably also has something to do with the recurring lack of commetment to the running game, which is just bewildering. given the fact the Caldwell has never really been a playcaller, perhaps we will see a greater reliance on a guy like Ray Rice, and more no-huddle where Flacco and the offense get some tempo going and even let Joe make some calls at the line, as that's apparently what he is more comfortable with. Not surprised about Cameron getting fired, the timing seems strange, but it's like if it's not workin, no sense in banging your head against a wall.

I've never been a play caller either but I can tell you Rice needs to be the focal point of the offense... and as much as I love Pierce, their touches shouldn't be close to 50/50. I can also tell you that the WRs have struggled in tight press coverage for years but they rarely run quick slants, and never run "pick" plays. The Oline has it's issues but they rarely move the pocket with rollouts and the multiple screen game from earlier has all but disappeared.

I think anyone that's watched all the games could say the same thing. We don't know what's going on in practice, or even have all the angles to see what's going on in games but I don't think Caldwell is being asked to reinvent the offense... just use a bit more common sense. And if the reason these things aren't happening is bc of trusting Flacco to make the right calls at the line then common sense would also mean taking more of that power away from him. Either way, doesn't take a rocket science to see adjustments that can be made.