Offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo won’t be eased into his first NFL game. One minute, he’ll line up against Baltimore’s all-time sacks leader, Terrell Suggs. The next, he’ll face Elvis Dumervil, a former Bronco who led the Ravens with 17 sacks last season. Center Matt Paradis also will be taking his first regular-season snap, across from the Ravens’ 6-foot-1, 335-pound rock in the middle, nose tackle Brandon Williams. Sambrailo and Paradis don’t have to win all their battles. They just can’t get embarrassed.
2. Zipping the long ball
Peyton Manning did little to quiet critics about his arm strength when he badly underthrew Demaryius Thomas twice in the end zone in the preseason against the 49ers two weeks ago. “What I see on tape, he’s got it all still,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. Baltimore’s secondary was its undoing last season. Safety Kendrick Lewis and nickel back Kyle Arrington were brought to help, but there still will be deep shots for Manning to take.
3. Don’t drink the Joe
Since winning the Super Bowl XLVII MVP award, Joe Flacco has thrown for 46 TDs and 34 interceptions. Not exactly elite numbers. This year’s Ravens are built to run the football with Pro Bowl back Justin Forsett. Other than ageless wonder Steve Smith, no returning Baltimore receiver caught more than 24 passes last season. With Smith probably facing tight coverage all day, it’ll be up to Kamar Aiken or Marlon Brown to find gaps to exploit in the Broncos’ Pro Bowler-laden secondary.
Gameplan
When the Broncos run
The Broncos’ zone offense will run through C.J. Anderson. Usually, offensive tackles key the pass game and guards key the run game. The Broncos have arguably the NFL’s best pair of guards with Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis. The Ravens have a young, promising defensive line, and linebacker C.J. Mosley is worth the price of admission. Edge: Broncos
When the Ravens run
The Ravens’ running attack is the root of their offense. Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson said their plan is to “smack the running back in the mouth and force them to throw the ball.” That back is Justin Forsett, who rushed for a career-high 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns last season. With Broncos safety T.J. Ward, and defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Kenny Anunike out, don’t be surprised to see the Ravens try to run the ball down the Broncos’ throat. Edge: Ravens
When the Broncos pass
Peyton Manning threw for 462 yards and seven touchdowns against Baltimore two years ago, but this isn’t the same Denver offense. Ravens Pro Bowl pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, who combined for 29 sacks last season, have to be licking their chops at the chance to go after an offensive line that hasn’t played a live snap as a unit. If Manning can get the ball off, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders could have a field day against the Ravens’ suspect secondary. Edge: Broncos
When the Ravens pass
First-round pick Breshad Perriman was brought in to be a deep threat opposite Steve Smith, but Perriman (knee) is unlikely to play. Tight end Dennis Pitta (hip) will not play. Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Chris Harris and Aqib Talib helped Denver rank in the top 10 in interceptions and sacks last season. This unit is better. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
This might be the unit with the most question marks for the Broncos. Will the Broncos be able to count on Brandon McManus when it matters most? Can Britton Colquitt rebound from the worst punting season of his NFL career? Meanwhile, the Ravens sport two of the most consistent specialists in the league: kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch. Newly named Broncos punt returner Emmanuel Sanders could provide a spark. Edge: Ravens
