Broncos Stopped by Ravens Again

Nine months after losing to Baltimore in the AFC playoffs, the Broncos couldn’t prove their New Year’s Eve flop was an aberration, losing to the Ravens, 20-13, in the regular-season rematch Sunday.

The Ravens (2-1), who beat Denver, 21-3, on their way to last season’s Super Bowl championship, limited Denver to 228 yards in total offense and forced three turnovers to rebound from a surprising loss the Cincinnati Bengals last week.

“I guarantee from here on out, if you beat the Ravens, you’ve beat a darn good football team,” Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe said. “You cannot drive 85 or 90 yards and beat our defense. You can’t do it.”

It looked as if the Broncos (2-1) might not have to worry about long scoring drives as Brian Griese threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Carswell 20 seconds into the game. The score came four seconds after Chester McGlockton’s third career interception on Baltimore’s first play.

After averaging 427 yards in their first two games, the Broncos never advanced inside the 19 after their quick score.

In typical Raven fashion, the Baltimore defense put its offense in position for a comeback.

Trailing 13-6 after Jason Elam’s 49-yard field goal, the Ravens tied the score on Qadry Ismail’s 20-yard touchdown catch over Denard Walker with 6:29 left in the third quarter.

The score came 10 seconds after Duane Starks intercepted a pass at the Denver 24.

Elvis Grbac picked on Walker again for the go-ahead score. He found Travis Taylor for a three-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

“It was ugly today,” said Grbac, who has won five in a row against Denver. “Some of my stats are pretty ugly, but a win is a win.”

Grbac completed 17 of 30 passes for 221 yards.