Fansided

6 NFL Teams in need of a Week 2 win

By Luke Dahlgren

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) walks off the field after the first half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) walks off the field after the first half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens

Week 2: at Oakland Raiders

The Denver Broncos appeared particularly vulnerable heading into Week One; Peyton Manning’s diminishing arm strength and accuracy looked primed to sink the Broncos as they adjusted to a new offense. This would be a statement game elevating the Ravens to the upper echelon of AFC contention while the Broncos drift further into the background.

Manning did struggle to threaten the Ravens downfield, but so did Joe Flacco. Both quarterbacks threw dramatic pick-sixes, and Flacco sealed the Broncos win with an end-zone interception with seconds remaining. The Broncos front-seven was fabulous, collapsing the pocket on Flacco and limiting Justin Forsett to a 43-yard game on the ground. That stat is deceivingly positive for Forsett, who struggled to gain any traction until the final drive.

The good news for the Ravens:

The secondary that sunk their hopes last year against the Patriots was the reason why they stayed in the game against the Broncos. With the Broncos playbook condensing the field, the Ravens were able to play more aggressively on Denver’s receivers, and the Ravens capitalized with a filthy Jimmy Smith interception and by cleaning up on tackles on the second level.

The bad news for the Ravens:

Terrell Suggs is out for the year, probably the worst player loss of Week One*. No less troubling was the Ravens inability to kill a Broncos fourth quarter drive that lasted ELEVEN MINUTES, as the Ravens front allowed the Broncos to slowly move their way up the field against softened coverage.

The offensive line also looked atrocious; Von Miller was routinely pressuring Joe Flacco, DeMarcus Ware sliced in for penetration in the backfield and they couldn’t make any room for Forsett early. The Broncos 3-4 front looked absolutely savage, and the Ravens were happy to enable.

Overall, the team looked far from bad, and they should come away with a win against the Oakland Raiders. Most exciting is the improvement of the secondary, which looked like the team’s biggest weakness. But the impetus is on the Ravens. After their meeting in Oakland, the Ravens play their three divisional opponents (v. Cincinnati, @ Pittsburgh, v. Cleveland), and can ill afford to go down 0-2 before facing one of the league’s most competitive divisions. They have no fear, as the Ravens beat the Raiders 27-13.

*Dez Bryant’s foot injury could prove equally destructive to the Cowboys offense, OR he could come back in Week Eight and crush.

Next: Detroit Lions/Minnesota Vikings

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