So here it is: The first real test of the Denver Broncos 2024 season. That’s not to take anything away from the Broncos commendable 5-3 record, a mark that nobody but nobody saw coming,

So, good for them.

But…

The Ravens? On the road? MVP Lamar Jackson versus rookie work-in-progress Bo Nix? If Halloween didn’t scare you, this scenario should.

To say the Broncos have no chance isn’t fair. Their defense is playoff worthy and it’s not Sean Payton’s first rodeo. However, history suggests otherwise. In the series, Baltimore leads 10-6. But at home, the Ravens have been a dominant 7-1.

Can the Broncos pull off an upset? Perhaps, but it will take a disciplined approach, a great defensive effort and a little luck. Here’s how our guys see it.

Shawn Drotar
The Broncos and Ravens come into this game with matching 5-3 records, but they’re not nearly as closely matched as those records suggest. The Ravens are stinging after suffering their second, nearly inexcusable upset loss of the season, and they’ll be laser-focused on taking care of business against Denver. The Ravens’ defense is surprisingly porous this season – especially against the pass – but while Bo Nix’s development continues at a healthy pace, it’s tough to imagine that head coach Sean Payton is going to want his rookie signal-caller to turn into a free-wheeling gunslinger against John Harbaugh’s well-seasoned crew. The Broncos will find it hard to gain yards on the ground, and the Ravens will make Nix have to beat them through the air. If the Broncos’ legitimately top-tier defense can keep the NFL’s most productive offense at least in check, they’ll have a puncher’s chance if they don’t turn the ball over and can generate sustained drives, but they’d have to play their best game of the year by a wide margin to steal this one. Expect perennial MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and future Hall-of-Famer Derrick Henry to wear Denver down on the ground over the course of the game and claim the win. On the road, a one-score loss by the Broncos would amount to a legitimate moral victory; one that would further validate the early success of this rebuild. Ravens 23, Broncos 20.

Mark Knudson
Going 3-0 on the east coast? That’s a big ask. Probably too big. The Broncos aren’t sneaking up on anyone the rest of this year, and that’s a good sign that the rebuild is a bit ahead of schedule. Nonetheless, beating a Raven’s team that let one get away last week is unlikely to happen. Denver’s defense will keep them in the game regardless of whether or not Lamar Jackson plays, but the offense is likely to have trouble against a good Baltimore defense. I’ll say Ravens 23, Broncos 16. We have to be pleased with progress.

Dan Mohrmann
The Broncos fall back to Earth this week, but I would love to see something competitive at least in the first half. The big thing the Broncos have going is that the Baltimore defense is a bit shaky so hopefully they can take advantage early. Despite not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, it would be a shock if Lamar Jackson didn’t play. And if the Ravens get going on offense, I can’t imagine Bo Nix being able to keep pace at this point. Someday, maybe. But probably not this day. Bottom line: If the Broncos can establish a solid run game and limit Baltimore’s possessions, they could have a puncher’s chance in the end. But ultimately, the Ravens walk away with a win. Ravens 35, Broncos 21.