The Baltimore Ravens are going up against the Denver Broncos today at 4:00 p.m. at Mile High Stadium in Denver with the Broncos going into the game as the odds on favorite with many sports analysts giving them a 9 or 10 point lead over Baltimore.
Regardless of the outcome, today’s divisional round of the Baltimore Ravens v. Denver Broncos in the playoffs is going to be historic.
It will definitely be the last season played by Ravens’ linebacker Ray Lewis who after 17 years in Charm City didn't leave a dry eye in the house last weekend when he played his last home game in Baltimore. Today will also be the last meeting on the field for Lewis and Broncos' QB Peyton Manning.
But the big buzz in Baltimore is why the Ravens are a cinch to upset Denver.
When Denver last played and beat Baltimore, the Ravens were plagued with injuries, most notably playing without the best linebacker in the NFL, Ray Lewis, who missed most of this season with a torn triceps.
… the Ravens were missing five total starters – three on defense and two on offense – and all five of them will be back on the field this week. ~ The Baltimore Ravens
Ray returned to the game last weekend in Baltimore’s win against the Colts; he was healthy and playing full throttle.
But what Baltimore fans are really counting on, are the stats that show Peyton Manning is not a cold weather playoff games winner.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Manning is 0-3 in the playoffs when playing in temperatures under 40 degrees.
The game-time temperature Saturday is expected to be around 25. ~ ESPN
This examiner hasn't heard Manning respond to those stats. If he were asked about them, I’m certain he’d just shrug them off as nothing to be concerned about. But in the quiet recesses of his mind, he’s probably thinking about them.
The Ravens arrived in Denver Friday night. The team didn't want to get there too soon in the hopes of minimizing any potential negative effects associated with the higher altitude and thinner air in Denver.
For more on today’s game, see the video accompanying this article.
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