Signed from Tennessee over
the summer, the 33-year-old McNair has steered
the Ravens to wins in their first four games,
the best start in franchise history.
But that record faces its
greatest test at Invesco Field tonight, where
the Broncos were undefeated in the regular season
last year (they eventually lost to the Steelers
there in the AFC Championship game).
On the strength of that home
record, the Broncos start as favorites in what
is shaping up as a showpiece MNF clash.
The Broncos haven’t
started the year quite as well as the Ravens,
and are 2-1 coming into the game off a bye-week.
After a couple of years in
the wilderness under struggling quarterback Kyle
Boller, the Ravens look like a different team
with former league MVP, McNair at the helm. McNair
has been cutting it close though, a one point
win at Cleveland two weeks ago followed by a thrilling
16-13 win over previously undefeated San Diego
last Sunday.
Against San Diego, McNair
came up with the winning play with 34 seconds
left on the clock, connecting with tight end Todd
Heap for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
The Broncos beat the Patriots,
17-7 in their last outing before the bye, but
were more convincing than that score indicates.
Both teams come into the game with their defenses
in brutally efficient form.
The Ravens rank second in
the NFL with just 219 yards allowed per game,
including just 63.2 on the ground. That is the
best in the league. Denver went a franchise-record
11 quarters without allowing a touchdown before
the Patriots finally broke through in the last
quarter two weeks ago.
Broncos’ quarterback,
Jake Plummer has had his critics in the early-season,
but took some pressure off his back with a strong
showing in the win over New England.
A big reason for Plummer’s
improved performance is his combination with receiver
Javon Walker. Walker has been a great acquisition
for an offense that needed another receiver opposite
the aging Rod Smith.
Walker bagged two touchdowns
against the Patriots and the Ravens’ defense
will need to watch this former Packer. Rod Smith
and running back, Tatum Bell are the two other
big weapons for Denver who must be neutralized
if Baltimore wants to keep their impeccable defensive
record intact.
Summing Up: The Broncos won
last year’s clash between the teams, 12-10,
and there won’t be much between them this
time either. Watch out for McNair again as he
is capable of tipping the balance of power the
Ravens’ way.
For
Monday Night Football betting, visit VIP.com
Posted by miker at October
9th, 2006 11:18 AM
Sports
and horse racing betting at its finest on the
web is here at VIP.com. Online wagering through
VIP offers unparalleled opportunity. Up to date
News and Statistics allows you to make intelligent,
informed online gambling decisions. At VIP,
we are proud of our online wagering and sports
betting lines. We offer secure and reliable
sport gambling including wagering on the NFL,
the NBA, formula 1, NASCAR, major league baseball
and much more. Our horsebook offer the best
wagering limits anywhere! Betting parlors envy
VIP.com's Best Odds making us the best online
sportsbook for betting in the industry.
|
