–After struggling to be productive offensively last season, Denver’s offense has made strides in Case Keenum’s first season as the starting quarterback. They are averaging 6.3 yards per play, which ranks fourth-best in the league. But the Broncos are in tough against the defensive-minded Ravens, who are giving up an average of 4.0 yards per play, tops in the league.
–Right tackle Jared Veldheer missed practice time this week while remaining in the NFL’s concussion protocol and he’s questionable for Sunday’s game at Baltimore. “He’s progressing, so we’ll see on Friday how much he can do in the field,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. If Veldheer is unable to go, tackle Billy Turner is expected to play in his place. Also nursing injurings are cornerback Adam Jones (sore thigh) and linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee).
–Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has had some problems with dropped passes early in the season. But Broncos coach Vance Joseph said he and the rest of the coaching staff bear some of the responsibility. “He’s OK,” Joseph said. “It’s our job to get him going early and to get him his confidence early. When guys go through a whole half and have one or two (passes thrown their way), that’s tough for receivers. If he has his first attempt and he drops it or it’s a bad ball, that’s a mind war. It is our job to get him going early. It’s his job to play with confidence, and he will.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 — Touchdown passes needed by quarterback Case Keenum to reach 50 for his career.
1.5 — Sacks needed by linebacker Von Miller to tie Ken Harvey (89) for 47th on the NFL’s all-time sack list.
37 — Denver is seeking to hold an opponent to 300 net yards passing or fewer for the 37th consecutive game. That would be the longest such streak by an NFL team since Indianapolis did it in 52 consecutive games from 2005-08.
