NFL Thursday Night: Ravens/Broncos Preview

Baltimore at Denver
Time: 8:30 PM (ET)
Network: NBC

Tonight, the 2013 NFL season finally kicks off after a long summer, highlighted by the ongoing MLB HGH scandal and the NBA’s boredom with King James winning every award. The Super Bowl Champion and new look Baltimore Ravens travel to the Mile-High City, for a meeting against Peyton Manning and his upgraded Broncos team.

This marks a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional playoff match-up, where Denver would lose in a double OT thriller by a FG, due to Manning throwing an interception that would eventually cost them the game. Joe Flacco’s nearly flawless 2013 postseason ended with league MVP honors for the Super Bowl, to help give Ray Lewis a proper farewell.

~~Continue after the jump for a video preview along with more of our preview.~~

*UPDATE* Broncos Defeat Ravens 49-27

Now with veterans Ray-Ray, Ed Reed, Bernard Pollard, Paul Kruger and Cary Williams all gone, the Ravens will now have to rely on production from the return of Lardarius Webb, Ray Rice receiving a bigger role, along with 3-time Pro-Bowler Elvis Dumervil coincidentally playing against his former Broncos.

Looking ahead into this game and the season, Peyton Manning has never been surrounded with a team on both sides of the field; featuring newly added players Wes Welker, Louis Vasquez, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and their improved secondary.

With the high level of competition and depth in the NFC, the entire AFC is in the hands of Peyton Manning and will once again come down to his play in those close 4th quarter games. Tonight, we expect Denver to win convincingly, as Baltimore will start a long-season with aspirations of staying healthy to sneak past the Cincinnati Bengals for a last playoff spot.

Welcome to the 2013 NFL Season!