PLAYER NOTES
–LT Ronnie Stanley suffered an apparent arm injury Week 2 against the Bengals. He briefly left the game but was able to return. Stanley practiced this week with a brace on his arm and should be available against Denver.
–RB Alex Collins (illness) was not at practice Wednesday. Collins has only 48 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown over the first two games.
–TE Hayden Hurst (stress fracture in foot) was able to practice this week. However, the timeline for his return is edging close. Hurst was the team’s first-round from South Carolina and had a solid training camp. The team is hoping he can return for the Week 4 showdown against Pittsburgh.
–C.J. Mosley (knee) left the game Thursday and did not return. He was not able to practice this week. There is no set timeline for his return. Mosley has been in charge of calling the plays on defense. He has five tackles.
–DT Michael Pierce (foot) did not practice Tuesday. He did not show any effects from an injury Thursday night against the Bengals. Pierce has three tackles in two games.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: TE Mark Andrews. After a slow start to training camp, the rookie third-round pick is becoming a viable playmaker. He has taken advantage of playing time with rookie first-round pick Hayden Hurst out with a fractured foot. Andrews has six catches for 48 yards with a touchdown. He has also excelled as a blocker. Look for him to get increased opportunities. “He’s kind of a gamer,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He steps up and make plays, and that’s what we thought we had when we drafted him. He’s worked very hard in practice, and to see that show up in the games is good.”
GAME PLAN: The Ravens have averaged 35 points over the opening two weeks with their revamped passing game, third in the NFL. Baltimore also ranks eighth in yards (397.0), 23rd in rushing (91.5), seventh in passing (305.5), sixth on third down (43.3 percent) and first in red zone touchdown rate (100 percent). This week, Baltimore will look to control the tempo by establishing a more effective ground attack, an area where the team has struggled. Denver is solid against the run, but the Broncos must be careful not to stack the line and leave the secondary exposed. Joe Flacco has several new weapons on offense and will also take several shots downfield.
The Ravens must compensate for the loss of linebacker C.J. Mosley, who is out indefinitely with a bone bruise. Mosley had been in charge of calling the plays on defense. The Ravens struggled when he left the game against the Bengals and appeared to be confused with coverage. Denver has been impressive in victories over Seattle and Oakland. The Broncos are ranked fourth in the NFL with 427.5 yards per game and are averaging 23.5 points. Case Keenum has thrown for 551 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions. The Ravens will need to keep him under pressure so he does not make big plays downfield.
QUOTE TO NORE: “He’s the straw that stirs the drink, no doubt — one of the very best in the league at what he does. We will have to have him accounted for at all times, on every play. If we don’t do that, he’ll wreck the game. That’s job (No.) 1 on offense — that’s where it starts.” — Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, on Denver linebacker Von Miller.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Ravens OL vs. Broncos LB Von Miller. Miller leads the league with four sacks and can be a one-man wrecking crew. The Ravens need to find a way to contain him. Baltimore’s offensive line struggled with pass-blocking against the Bengals and Joe Flacco was sacked four times. The challenge could be even bigger this week. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is dealing with an arm injury. Center Matt Skura and right tackle James Hurst both were beaten several times against Cincinnati. Orlando Brown Jr., a rookie third-round pick, could take over for Hurst, who has the flexibility to play multiple positions and will provide needed depth.
–Ravens DT Brandon Williams vs. Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay. Lindsay is the first undrafted rookie to run for 100 or more yards in each of his first two games. The Ravens are ranked 15th against the run, allowing 95.5 yards per game. Williams is the key run-stopper, but he struggled to contain Bengals running back Joe Mixon, who had 84 yards on 21 carries, despite dealing with injuries. Lindsay will get plenty of carries on the road and a Ravens’ victory could hinge on containing him.
