Finally, football is back! The 2013-14 season kicks off with a thriller in the Mile-High City. Reigning Super Bowl champs invade Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos for an AFC duel. The Ravens come into town without many key players including Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, and Ray Lewis. The Broncos are down a couple of key defensive players including Von Miller who is serving a six-game suspension and Elvis Dumervil who now plays for Baltimore.
The Broncos did add a new weapon for Peyton Manning in Wes Welker which will be something everyone will be paying attention to. Did they have enough time together to develop a great quarterback-receiver chemistry? The Ravens also have questions on offense. Will Joe Flacco live up to the hype and the contract he was given in the offseason? Will Ray Rice play like a Top 5 running back?
Regardless of who wins, I think everyone is just excited football is back. It was a long offseason with players constantly finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. Speaking of, Denver tight end Juluis Thomas was arrested last week for an outstanding traffic ticket.
The Ravens come in a much different team. Gone are their leaders. This will be the year for Joe Flacco to step up as a leader. The Broncos still have their MVP quarterback, but are definitely at a disadvantage because of Miller and Dumervil not playing. With both defenses being at a disadvantage, I think Manning will out throw Flacco this time. Manning’s kryptonite is cold weather. He thrives in comfortable temperatures and/or closed stadiums. For the NFL kickoff, Broncos or Ravens- who you takin?
