The Broncos broke their Baltimore jinx, but it wasn’t just because of Peyton Manning.
The Broncos hammered the Ravens 34-17, their first win there during the Ravens era. And while Manning certainly did his share, the Broncos did the bulk of the work on the ground.
Knowshon Moreno ran for 118 yards, and the Broncos were able to chew the clock late when they needed to. Denver finished with 163 yards rushing, more padding than that Manning guy needs.
They made a short-handed Ravens defense look inept, which drew the Ravens even with an offense that fizzled in the first game under new coordinator Jim Caldwell.
The loss drops the Ravens to 9-5, just a game ahead of the Bengals (and perhaps the Steelers) in the AFC North. But more importantly, it makes them look vulnerable, and no amount of firing assistant coaches will change that.
The Ravens also left less healthy than they entered, as running back Bernard Pierce and wide receiver Torrey Smith left the game with concussions, and didn’t return.