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Denver Broncos | News

Broncos vs. Ravens: What to Watch For

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The AFC's top-seeded Denver Broncos (13-3) look to begin a playoff run as they host the No. 4 seed Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday. Below is a look inside the numbers of the team's Divisional Round game.

SERIES HISTORY

  • The two teams faced off roughly one month ago, with the Broncos earning a 34-17 Week 15 win at M&T Bank Stadium.
  • The teams have only played in the postseason once, a Wild Card game in 2000 in which Baltimore defeated Denver 21-3.
  • In the all-time series, the Ravens hold a 5-4 advantage.
  • When hosting the Ravens, Denver holds a 3-1 advantage.

NOTABLE BRONCOS PERFORMANCES VS. BALTIMORE

  • Defensive ends Elvis Dumervil, Robert Ayers and Derek Wolfe each sacked Joe Flacco in the clubs' Week 15 matchup.
  • Wideout Eric Decker led the team with 133 yards and a touchdown on eight catches when the teams faced off in December.
  • Cornerback Chris Harris provided a huge momentum swing near the end of the first half of that game with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown, which represented the longest pick-six in team history.
  • Running back Knowshon Moreno paced the Broncos offense with 118 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries on Dec. 16 at Baltimore.
  • For linebacker Keith Brooking, his two-sack performance against Baltimore in 1999 still stands as his career high.
  • Cornerback Champ Bailey owns two interceptions, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble in four wins and two losses against the Ravens.
  • Quarterback Peyton Manning is 9-0 in his last nine games against the Ravens. He hasn't lost to the team since 2001. In that streak, he has topped a passer rating of 90 six times, with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

  • The Broncos are the only team in the NFL that finished the regular season ranked in the top five in total offense and total defense.
  • They ranked fourth in offense (397.9 yards per game) and second in defense (290.8 yards per game).
  • Denver also scored 30.1 points per game (2nd) and allowed only 18.1 points per game (4th).
  • The Ravens ranked 10th in scoring offense with 24.9 points per game and T-12th in scoring defense, surrendering 21.5 points per game.
  • Offensively, the Broncos ranked sixth in yards per play (5.8), while Baltimore was 25th at 5.4 yards per play.
  • Each team threw 11 interceptions in 2012.
  • The Broncos lost 14 fumbles on the year while the Ravens lost five.
  • The Broncos passed for nearly 50 more yards per game than the Ravens (283.4 - 233.7) during the regular season.
  • Denver holds the edge in third down offense (45.1%, 3rd) and red zone offense (59.1%, 7th), as the Ravens ranked outside the top 10 in both of those categories.
  • The Ravens hold the advantage in total giveaways. They tied for the second fewest in the league in 2012 with 16 and tied for eighth with a +9 turnover differential, while the Broncos turned the ball over 25 times and finished with a -1 turnover differential.
  • Defensively, the Broncos not only ranked second in the league in total defense but also finished first in yards per play (4.58).
  • The Ravens defense allowed 60.1 more yards per game than the Broncos.
  • Baltimore allowed its opponents to rush for 122.8 yards per game, 20th in the league, while the Denver defense ranked third in the league allowing 91.1 rushing yards per game.
  • Both teams stand out in third-down defense, as the Broncos led the NFL (30.6%) and the Ravens finished seventh (35.8%).
  • The Ravens were stout in the red zone, finishing second in the league (43.4%) while the Broncos ranked 28th (58.5%).

ANY-MINUTE MILESTONES

  • If the Broncos beat the Ravens on Saturday, they will become the fifth team in NFL history to win their final 11 regular-season games in addition to winning at least one playoff game.
  • With 16 pass attempts and seven completions on Saturday, Manning will tie Joe Montana (734 attempts, 460 completions) for the third-most all-time in the postseason in both categories.
  • With a touchdown pass, Manning will have 30 career TD passes in the postseason and will tie Terry Bradshaw for the sixth-most all-time in that category.
  • Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has 10 catches and 297 yards in his postseason career. He is four receptions shy of capturing tenth place for the most postseason receptions in franchise history.
  • Thomas also needs 18 receiving yards to capture eighth place in postseason receiving yards in team history.

FAMILIAR FACES

  • Defensive tackle Justin Bannan played in 63 games and started 19 contests for Baltimore from 2006-2009.
  • Safety Jim Leonhard spent the 2008 season as a Raven, finishing the year with 85 tackles, a sack and a pick-six.
  • Wideout Brandon Stokley played for the Ravens for four years from 1999-2002 and was a part of the Super Bowl XXV championship.
  • Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio coached Baltimore's linebackers for three years (1999-2001) and won a title with the club in 2000.
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