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Webb's kickoff return for a TD another kick in the head to Denver's not-so-special teams
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Lardarius Webb's 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half for Baltimore deflated the Broncos in a matter of just 14 seconds.
The Broncos had outscored their opponents 76-10 in the second half. The Ravens turned the tables on that number, outscoring Denver 24-0 in the final 30 minutes. Webb's opening kickoff return for a TD, the second in the past two games against Denver, proved to a kick in the head. But Joe Flacco's 20-yard scoring toss to Derrick Mason early in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach at 23-7. Baltimore went on to a 30-7 victory Sunday to hand Denver its first loss of the season.
Broncos Coach Josh McDaniels on the special-teams play: "That's obviously a big part of what we do and what we preach and how we try to win. Any time you lose a phase in a game it hurts your chance to win."
MORE SPECIAL-TEAM WOES: Mitch Berger was less than impressive in his first punting duty
for Denver. His first two punts were nearly blocked and his eight-punt average was just 38.4. His net was a so-so 36.3. Eddie Royal needs to take cue from Webb and just take his returns straight ahead. Royal, fresh off an AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor two weeks ago, had 112 yards on six kickoff returns; Webb had the same yardage on just two returns. McDaniels thought Berger's hang time and net punting were good and said "he will get better."
A STORY FOR THE BIG SCREEN: Ravens rookie offensive tackle Michael Oher has started all seven games for Baltimore, but was moved from the right side to the left side before Game 5 against Cincinnati when Jared Gaither suffered a scary neck injury in a Week 4 loss at New England. Gaither is expected to play Sunday against the Broncos and Oher should move back to the right side against Denver. Oher, the Ravens' first-round pick last April, also started at left tackle against the Minnesota Vikings two weeks ago. The Ravens lost both games, 17-14 to the Bengals and 33-3If Oher's name sounds familiar, the former University of Mississippi star is the same player who became homeless in 2002 when he was living in Memphis, Tenn. Oher's father was murdered when he was a senior in high school and his mother was a crack addict. He was taken in by an affluent couple, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, and was admitted to private Briarcrest Christian School where he flourished as an athlete and student. His grade-point average jumped from a 0.9 to a 2.65 by the time he graduated. Oher's story was the subject of a book by Michael Lewis in 2006, "The Blind Side: Evolution of a game. The film version of the book, starring Sandra Bullock and country singer Tim McGraw as his adoptive parents, will be released on Nov. 20.
NOTEWORTHY: LB/FB Spencer Larsen made his season debut in the first half. The second?year player missed the first six games after a pregame shoulder injury suffered before the season opener. Larsen recorded two special?teams tackles to tie for the team lead with safety David Bruton. With Larsen on the active list, that meant running back LaMont Jordan was on the inactive list for the first time this season. The rest of the inactive list Sunday: QB Tom Brandstater, OLB Jarvis Moss, WR Brandon Lloyd, T Brandon Gorin, NT Chris Baker, WR Kenny McKinley and G Seth Olsen ... OT Tyler
Polumbus replaced Ryan Harris at right tackle late in the first quarter. Harris was carted off the field after injureing his toe. Harris did not return ... DL Le Kevin Smith had his first career sack in the second quarter ... The Broncos' defensive starters have not changed since its season opener ... Playing another game without an interrception, QB Kyle Orton improved his league?leading interception percentage to 0.4 percent (one interception in 231 attempts).
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