Finally, football is back! Â The 2013-14 season kicks off with a thriller in the Mile-High City. Â Reigning Super Bowl champs invade Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos for an AFC duel. Â The Ravens come into town without many key players including Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, and Ray Lewis. Â 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. Â Did they have enough time together to develop a great quarterback-receiver chemistry? Â The Ravens also have questions on offense. Â Will Joe Flacco live up to the hype and the contract he was given in the offseason? Â Will Ray Rice play like a Top 5 running back?
Regardless of who wins, I think everyone is just excited football is back. Â It was a long offseason with players constantly finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. Â 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?
