Sep 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) greats Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) following the end of the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Ravens 49-27. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Waking up a day after an embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos, you can imagine the Ravens are having a hard time sorting the positives from the negatives today.
While that may be true, the Ravens must realize that there are some positives (and negatives) from last night’s loss against the Broncos.
Here are just a few of the pros and cons from last night’s game against the Broncos:
Pros
Special Teams:
The Ravens special teams recovered a muffed punt by Wes Welker, which led to a Ray Rice touchdown.
Daryl Smith:
Daryl Smith brought his four weeks of impressiveness from the preseason to last night’s game against the Broncos. He almost had an interception off of Peyton Manning early in the second quarter, and played very well in pass coverage for the whole night. Smith may not be the vocal leader that Ray Lewis was for the Ravens, but he is looking like a very good replacement for Lewis on the field.
Vonta Leach:
First and foremost, it was great to see Vonta Leach out there last night in a Ravens uniform. After the entire dispute that place over the off-season with Leach and his contract, it was nice to see him making those famous blocks for Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce.
Cons
Special Teams:
Other then the recovered muffed punt by Wes Welker, the Ravens special teams was horrendous last night. For one, they allowed Sam Koch’s punt to be blocked. They also got Jacoby Jones hurt after his teammate Brynden Trawick collided into him, which sent him out of the game with a sprained right knee.
Joe Flacco:
Joe Flacco looked like the same Joe Flacco that receives a substantial amount of criticism. He was forcing the deep throw all night long. He also threw two interceptions, one almost being a pick six by Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan early in the fourth quarter. Luckily for Flacco, Trevathan dropped the ball right before he went into the end zone.
Ravens Secondary:
The Ravens secondary allowed Peyton Manning to throw for seven touchdown passes. Manning is a great quarterback and all, but allowing seven touchdowns is just outrageous. Guys like Michael Huff and Jimmy Smith were beaten on more than a few plays. If they want to repeat as champions, then the secondary cannot have a repeat of last night’s performance.