RAVENS VS. BRONCOS

The Ravens’ winning streak evaporated when they blew another fourth-quarter lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Denver Broncos slogged through an even worse Week 12 as they fell to the Carolina Panthers and feuded on the sideline. Which frustrated team will have the key matchup advantages when they meet Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium?

Ravens passing game vs. Broncos pass defense

The Ravens have not recaptured their aerial mojo since quarterback Lamar Jackson scorched his way through the first three weeks of the season. Jackson misfired on several potential touchdown passes in the loss to Jacksonville, and his receivers let him down with a series of drops. As a result, the Ravens stalled in the red zone three times, and the points they left on the table cost them when the Jaguars rallied in the fourth quarter. They’ve scored touchdowns on just 51.2% of their red zone possessions this year,

24th in the league. On the bright side, veteran sprinter DeSean Jackson raced past the Jacksonville defense to catch a 62-yard pass at a crucial moment in the fourth quarter. If he has a few more of those in him, he could help open up the offense. But Jackson completed just four of nine passes for 40 yards to starting wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson, who have not been able to stack productive games. Tight end Mark Andrews (52 catches on 79 targets, 601 yards, five touchdowns) remains option

No. 1, but he has not matched his 2021 All-Pro form as he’s battled through knee and shoulder injuries. On another positive note, Patrick Mekari delivered fine pass protection as he filled in for an injured Ronnie Stanley (ankle) against the Jaguars. The Ravens will try to get back on track against a very good Broncos pass defense led by cornerback Patrick Surtain II and linebacker Alex Singleton. The Broncos traded their best edge rusher, Bradley Chubb, but they blitz on 36.3% of dropbacks, the third-highest rate in the league, and excel at covering No. 1 wide receivers and tight ends. Opposing quarterbacks have averaged a paltry 5.1 yards per attempt against them.

EDGE: Broncos last season.

EDGE: Ravens Ravens running game vs. Broncos run defense

The Ravens moved the ball consistently against Jacksonville with 162 rushing yards on 35 carries. Running back Gus Edwards returned after missing two games because of a hamstring injury. With 52 yards on 16 carries, he was less efficient than usual but made his presence felt in short-yardage situations. Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill combined for just three carries. Jackson was the team’s key runner as usual, with 89 yards on 14 carries. The Ravens rank second in the league in total rushing and in rush DVOA, so they’re still thriving by measures of volume and efficiency.

The Broncos aren’t as good against the run as they are against the pass, ranking 17th in rush DVOA and allowing opponents to average 4.6 yards per carry. The Panthers rumbled for 185 yards against them. Singleton is their leading tackler and grades as an excellent run defender, per

Pro Football Focus, but the Broncos lack an elite interior run stuffer. Given Denver’s stinginess against the pass, this could be a grind-it-out game for Jackson and company.

EDGE: Ravens

Broncos running game vs. Ravens run defense

The Broncos lost their most explosive runner in Javonte Williams, so they’re relying on former Ravens fill-in Latavius Murray, who has given them solid work with 301 yards on four yards per carry in six games. Still, they rank 26th in run DVOA, so Wilson’s subpar performance is not the only problem with this offense.

The Broncos have not run for more than 125 yards in a game since Week 2, and they’ll face a defense that has not allowed more than 48 yards in a game since Week 7. The Ravens have a heap of good run defenders, from linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen in the middle to Tyus Bowser on the edge, to Campbell, Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington upfront. Despite a slow start against the run, they’re allowing opponents just 3.9 yards per carry, third best in the league. EDGE: Ravens

Ravens special teams vs. Broncos special teams

The Ravens continue to lead the league in special teams DVOA. Justin Tucker’s 67-yard attempt came up just short at the end of the Jaguars game, but he has made 24 of 27 attempts this season, with all of his misses from 56 yards or beyond. Duvernay is normally the league’s best returner, but he made some uncharacteristically poor decisions against Jacksonville to bury the Ravens near their own goal line.

The Broncos rank last in special-teams DVOA and have performed poorly in every area. Kicker Brandon McManus has missed six field goal attempts and two extra point tries. Primary kickoff and punt returner Montrell Washington has not busted any big plays.

EDGE: Ravens