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Ravens run offense vs. Broncos run defense: Ray Rice has been one of the NFL's most explosive runners, breaking five runs over 20 yards. His 6-yard average ranks sixth among running backs with at least 10 carries. The Ravens, though, haven't run the ball over 18 times during their three-game losing streak. Denver defensive coordinator Mike Nolan added sure-tackling veterans to transform a porous run defense into one of the league's best. Denver is third in the NFL against the run and is allowing just 3.3 yards per carry. Inside linebackers D.J. Williams and Andra Davis (who was part of those Cleveland defenses that Jamal Lewis used to shred) have combined for 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Edge: EVEN
Ravens pass offense vs. Broncos pass defense: Joe Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards in two of his three starts at home this season. Denver Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey likely will shadow wide receiver Derrick Mason, but Flacco has consistently spread the ball around. Five Ravens have at least 20 catches this season. The Ravens, who have allowed only 10 sacks this season, will look to slow down NFL sacks leader Elvis Dumervil (10 sacks). Denver hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer this season despite facing the likes of Carson Palmer, Tony Romo, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers. The Broncos have held their past four opponents without a third-down conversion in the second half, the longest such streak in 17 years. Offensive tackle Jared Gaither (neck), who has missed the past two games, is questionable. Edge: EVEN
Broncos run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This game should determine whether the Ravens run defense is the one that led the NFL for the first four weeks of the season or the one that gave up back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. The Ravens haven't allowed 100-yard rushers in three straight games since 1998. One change the Ravens made recently was replacing defensive end Trevor Pryce with Dwan Edwards on running downs. Denver rookie first-round pick Knowshon Moreno is averaging 3.8 yards per carry, which ranks 35th in the NFL. Correll Buckhalter has been surprisingly explosive, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Edge: RAVENS
Broncos pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: The Ravens' small cornerbacks face another challenge of matching up with a big receiver in Brandon Marshall. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound wideout will turn short passes into big gains. The test is for the Ravens to tackle Marshall, who has four of the Broncos' 12 offensive touchdowns. The Ravens are expected to start Fabian Washington, who was benched last game. Rookie Lardarius Webb could see increased time at nickel back. Denver quarterback Kyle Orton won't hurt defenses by going deep (he is 25-for-56 on throws over 10 yards) but he won't hurt his team, either. His only interception this season was a Hail Mary attempt to end the first half in Week 5. Edge: BRONCOS
Special teams: Denver's Eddie Royal is one of two players to rank in the NFL's top 10 in punt and kickoff return average (Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs is the other). In his last game, Royal became the 11th player in NFL history to return a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the same game. The Ravens' coverage teams rank 14th on punts and eighth on kickoffs. Denver signed 16-year veteran Mitch Berger to solidify their punter position. Before the bye, the Ravens' Steve Hauschka missed his first shot at a game-winning field goal. Broncos kicker Matt Prater has made six, 50-yard field goals since 2008 (the fourth-most in the NFL over that time). Denver's biggest weakness is punt coverage, which is second-worst in the league. But Ravens punter returner Chris Carr ranks 27th in the NFL. Edge: BRONCOS
Intangibles: Both teams are coming off their byes. Denver is 5-1 following their bye since 2003, and the Ravens have won five of their past seven after their off week. With a tough November (two AFC North road trips and home games against Indianapolis and Pittsburgh), the Ravens have a sense of urgency to end their three-game losing streak. The Ravens haven't lost to an AFC West team at home since 2004, winning three straight. Denver has lost all three trips to Baltimore (including playoffs), falling by an average of 16.3 points. Orton has a career 9-10 record as a starting quarterback on the road. Edge: RAVENS
Prediction: Flacco has been on the cusp of two fourth-quarter comebacks during the past three games. This time, his supporting cast doesn't let him down. The Ravens make the plays to win a close game and take the first step in turning around their season.
RAVENS, 20-17.
Ravens pass offense vs. Broncos pass defense: Joe Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards in two of his three starts at home this season. Denver Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey likely will shadow wide receiver Derrick Mason, but Flacco has consistently spread the ball around. Five Ravens have at least 20 catches this season. The Ravens, who have allowed only 10 sacks this season, will look to slow down NFL sacks leader Elvis Dumervil (10 sacks). Denver hasn't allowed a 300-yard passer this season despite facing the likes of Carson Palmer, Tony Romo, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers. The Broncos have held their past four opponents without a third-down conversion in the second half, the longest such streak in 17 years. Offensive tackle Jared Gaither (neck), who has missed the past two games, is questionable. Edge: EVEN
Broncos run offense vs. Ravens run defense: This game should determine whether the Ravens run defense is the one that led the NFL for the first four weeks of the season or the one that gave up back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. The Ravens haven't allowed 100-yard rushers in three straight games since 1998. One change the Ravens made recently was replacing defensive end Trevor Pryce with Dwan Edwards on running downs. Denver rookie first-round pick Knowshon Moreno is averaging 3.8 yards per carry, which ranks 35th in the NFL. Correll Buckhalter has been surprisingly explosive, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Edge: RAVENS
Broncos pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense: The Ravens' small cornerbacks face another challenge of matching up with a big receiver in Brandon Marshall. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound wideout will turn short passes into big gains. The test is for the Ravens to tackle Marshall, who has four of the Broncos' 12 offensive touchdowns. The Ravens are expected to start Fabian Washington, who was benched last game. Rookie Lardarius Webb could see increased time at nickel back. Denver quarterback Kyle Orton won't hurt defenses by going deep (he is 25-for-56 on throws over 10 yards) but he won't hurt his team, either. His only interception this season was a Hail Mary attempt to end the first half in Week 5. Edge: BRONCOS
Special teams: Denver's Eddie Royal is one of two players to rank in the NFL's top 10 in punt and kickoff return average (Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs is the other). In his last game, Royal became the 11th player in NFL history to return a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the same game. The Ravens' coverage teams rank 14th on punts and eighth on kickoffs. Denver signed 16-year veteran Mitch Berger to solidify their punter position. Before the bye, the Ravens' Steve Hauschka missed his first shot at a game-winning field goal. Broncos kicker Matt Prater has made six, 50-yard field goals since 2008 (the fourth-most in the NFL over that time). Denver's biggest weakness is punt coverage, which is second-worst in the league. But Ravens punter returner Chris Carr ranks 27th in the NFL. Edge: BRONCOS
Intangibles: Both teams are coming off their byes. Denver is 5-1 following their bye since 2003, and the Ravens have won five of their past seven after their off week. With a tough November (two AFC North road trips and home games against Indianapolis and Pittsburgh), the Ravens have a sense of urgency to end their three-game losing streak. The Ravens haven't lost to an AFC West team at home since 2004, winning three straight. Denver has lost all three trips to Baltimore (including playoffs), falling by an average of 16.3 points. Orton has a career 9-10 record as a starting quarterback on the road. Edge: RAVENS
Prediction: Flacco has been on the cusp of two fourth-quarter comebacks during the past three games. This time, his supporting cast doesn't let him down. The Ravens make the plays to win a close game and take the first step in turning around their season.
RAVENS, 20-17.
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