bengaldee Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY Neither team scores much. Neither team allows much. Let the cries of "dee-fense" start ringing out now. The unbeaten Baltimore Ravens (4-0) continue to evoke comparisons with their 2000 Super Bowl team. The Denver Broncos (2-1) keep trying to reach their offensive potential, while their defense holds opponents out of the end zone. If the Broncos needed a challenge to set the stage for a breakout, they have it tonight in the Ravens. "They do some pretty funky stuff, as far as lining up with the different kind of bodies they have," Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer says. "They have some D-linemen who are great athletes  D-line bodies, but they're playing linebacker, they're playing in space, dropping back playing safety, going out covering your tight ends. They do a lot of funky looks." Funky and effective. "When we talked about the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, we talked about their defense and how good they were when they won the Super Bowl," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan says. "This defense, after a quarter of the season, almost beats them in every statistical area." The Ravens lead the NFL with 17 sacks, and their pressure produces turnovers. They also are tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with eight, just four fewer than they swiped all of last season. Denver's defense need not feel humbled in the presence of Baltimore. The Broncos have allowed only one touchdown in 12 quarters despite not making an interception. They must simply be mindful of the way quarterback Steve McNair, despite an overall slow start, has rallied the team to last-minute victories in the last two games after two relatively easy triumphs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders, both winless. McNair marched the Ravens for a last-second field goal in a 15-14 win against the host Cleveland Browns, then threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to nip the San Diego Chargers 16-13 on Oct. 1. "That," Ravens coach Brian Billick says, "is what the veteran presence gives you." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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