Week 5 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 3, Denver Broncos 13

What you need to know

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens couldn’t get anything going on offense for most of the night. In the cold, rainy conditions, QB Steve McNair was sacked twice and threw three interceptions.

WR Mark Clayton was targeted eight times, but it was WR Derrick Mason that had the longest plays by the Ravens’ wide receivers despite only seeing five passes all night.

RB Jamal Lewis was ineffective, averaging under three yards per carry. RB Musa Smith led the Ravens in total yardage, mainly due to his 53 receiving yards from six receptions. RB Mike Anderson had five carries to spell Lewis.

The Ravens’ defense generated two turnovers and held the Broncos to 222 net yards, but the offense was unable to take advantage.

Denver Broncos

QB Jake Plummer had a dismal first half, throwing for six yards and an interception. It was the lowest passing yardage in any half for the team since Mike Shanahan became coach. Plummer improved in the second half and connected with WR Rod Smith for the only touchdown of the game.

RB Tatum Bell started the game for the Broncos. He fumbled on his first touch and the Ravens recovered. Bell was effective for the remainder of the game, gaining 92 yards on 19 carries.

WR Rod Smith was only targeted once in the first half, but ended the game with four receptions on six targets, and the only touchdown. WR Javon Walker was targeted eight times and gained the most yardage of the Denver receivers.

Jason Elam converted two kicks of over 40 yards in difficult conditions.

The Broncos’ defense played well. Champ Bailey, Darrent Williams and Domonique Foxworth all had interceptions. Al Wilson had a huge game, ending with 12 solo tackles and four assists.

What you ought to know

QB Steve McNair, Pass: 20 - 34 - 165 - 0 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 2 - 15 - 0

McNair had a bad night. In rainy conditions, he did not attempt many deep passes. He began well by scrambling for a first down on the Ravens’ opening drive, and was able to lead the team to a field goal on its second drive. McNair had one other scramble for a first down. Three of his screen passes to Musa Smith gained over ten yards but many of his other passes were poorly thrown. On the Ravens’ last drive of the first half, McNair threw a risky pass to Todd Heap and it was almost intercepted by Darrent Williams. Later on the same drive, McNair looked for Clarence Moore in the end zone. The pass was easily intercepted by Champ Bailey. McNair ended the game with two more interceptions. He also fumbled after taking a sack but the Ravens were able to recover the ball.

RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 15 - 43 - 0, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (3 targets)

Lewis carried 12 times in the first half and gained yardage on ten of the plays. He gained a first down with a six yard run on the Ravens’ second drive to enable a field goal try. Lewis only carried three times in the second half as Mike Anderson and Musa Smith saw more action. He was targeted three times, dropping one ball and gaining a total of one yard.

RB Musa Smith, Rush: 3 - 14 - 0, Rec: 6 - 53 - 0 (6 targets)

Smith was the first back used in relief of Jamal Lewis. He carried twice for a total of 11 yards in the first half. He was effective in the passing game, making a 12 yard reception for a first down on the Ravens’ final drive of the first half. Two other screen passes went for first downs in the second half. One was for 18 yards and the other for 13 yards. Unfortunately for the Ravens, both drives ended in interceptions.

RB Mike Anderson, Rush: 5 - 31 - 0

Anderson carried the ball five times on his return to Denver. He was effective, gaining nine yards for a first down on his first carry. In the second half, Anderson had consecutive carries of ten yards each to convert first downs.

WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 5 - 27 - 0 (8 targets)

Clayton was the most targeted wide receiver for the Ravens. He caught a six yard pass on the Ravens’ second drive of the game, leading to a field goal and their only points of the game. None of his receptions gained more than eight yards. Clayton was the intended receiver on both of McNair’s interceptions in the second half, but Clayton was not responsible.

WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 3 - 45 - 0 (5 targets)

Mason was targeted three times in the first half. He made two of the catches for first downs; one for 12 yards and the other for 26 yards. Both catches came on the Ravens’ last drive of the half and put the team in field goal range, but the drive ended in an interception. Mason only saw two targets in the second half, catching the latter for seven yards and a first down.

TE Todd Heap, Rec: 3 - 21 - 0 (8 targets)

Heap played the whole game despite appearing on the injury report as questionable. All of his targets were short passes and he caught three balls for a total of 21 yards. Heap dropped two of the first three balls to come his way, while two of his second half targets were uncatchable. His longest reception was for ten yards and a first down. Heap was the intended target on a dangerous pass from McNair which was almost picked off by Darrent Williams.

TE Daniel Wilcox, Rec: 2 - 18 - 0 (2 targets)

Wilcox saw one target in each half. He caught the first for an eight yard gain and the second for ten yards and a first down.

PK Matt Stover 1 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points

Stover converted a 24 yard field goal for the Ravens’ only points of the game. It was Stover’s 30th straight successful field goal attempt.

BAL Rush Defense

The Ravens gave up 116 net rushing yards. Most of the damage was due to Tatum Bell. His four longest carries were all over ten yards for first downs. The defense allowed Bell a crucial 12 yard gain in the closing minutes to allow Denver to bring up first and goal at the five.

BAL Pass Defense

The Ravens’ pass defense totally shut down Jake Plummer in the first half, holding him to six yards and adding an interception by Samari Rolle. Chris McAlister also recovered a Tatum Bell fumble. The defense had a good second half also and Denver gained just 106 net passing yards on the night. Adalius Thomas registered the Ravens’ only sack but they pressured Plummer well.

QB Jake Plummer, Pass: 13 - 24 - 106 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 11 - 0

Plummer had a terrible first half, gaining six yards and throwing an interception. It was the lowest passing total in a half for Denver since Mike Shanahan became coach. The interception was Plummer’s fault when he overthrew Javon Walker on the Broncos’ second drive. Plummer was fortunate not to throw another interception on the following drive when Terrell Suggs almost made the play. Plummer’s first pass of the second half went for an 11 yard gain to Rod Smith. On the second drive of the half, Plummer looked deep for Smith but underthrew the ball when Smith had a step on the defender. But things improved as the game went on. Plummer scrambled for 12 yards on third and three and fumbled the ball out of bounds. He then found Rod Smith again and led the team to a second field goal. On the Broncos’ final possession, Plummer was able to complete a four yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith.

RB Tatum Bell, Rush: 19 - 92 - 0, Rec: 2 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Tatum Bell caught a pass on his first touch of the game, but he fumbled and lost possession to Chris McAlister. Bell was effective on the ground. He converted on third and seven by breaking through for a 17 yard gain on the Broncos’ third drive. He followed up with a 12 yard run. On the next drive Bell had an 11 yard gain for a first down and the Broncos were able to tie the game with a field goal. All nine of Bell’s first half carries gained positive yardage. He was less effective in the second half as Cecil Sapp and Kyle Johnson spelled him on occasion. But with the clock running down, Bell had a key 12 yard carry to give the Broncos a first and goal at the five yard line. He was given a carry on the next play and he gained a yard before the drive was completed by a Rod Smith touchdown reception.

RB Cecil Sapp, Rush: 3 - 10 - 0

Sapp was given three carries in the second half, gaining a total of ten yards.

RB Kyle Johnson, Rush: 2 - 5 - 0, Rec: 1 - -1 - 0 (2 targets)

Johnson carried twice for a total of five yards. He was targeted twice in the passing game, catching one ball for the loss of a yard.

RB Mike Bell

Bell was active for the game but did not carry the ball and was not targeted in the passing game.

WR Javon Walker, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0, Rec: 5 - 63 - 0 (8 targets)

Walker was the most targeted receiver for the Broncos. He was the only Bronco to have a reception for positive yardage in the first half, gaining nine yards for a first down. Walker was the target when Plummer was intercepted by Samari Rolle on the Broncos’ second drive, but he was not at fault. Walker was more involved in the second half. He had catches of eight yards and 11 yards for first downs on the Broncos’ third drive of the half. Walker then caught a 27 yard pass on the Broncos’ final drive of the game; the longest play from scrimmage all night. Walker caught an eight yard pass later on the same drive, resulting in another first down. The Broncos used Walker twice on reverse plays, once in each half. Neither play gained any yardage.

WR Rod Smith, Rec: 4 - 30 - 1 (6 targets)

Smith was only targeted once in the first half and the ball was uncatchable. He began the second half with an 11 yard reception for a first down. Smith managed to get clear of the defender and was targeted deep, but Plummer underthrew the ball and Smith had to stop and break up the play. He had a nine yard reception for a first down on the Broncos’ fourth drive of the second half, setting up a field goal. On the Broncos’ final drive, Smith ran a fade into the end zone and Plummer hit him for a four yard touchdown.

WR David Kircus (4 targets)

Kircus was targeted deep by Plummer, but the ball was uncatchable. His other three targets also resulted in incomplete passes. Kircus was shaken up after one play in the fourth quarter.

WR Brandon Marshall

Marshall did not see any action in the game.

TE Tony Scheffler, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets)

Scheffler caught one of his two targets for a seven yard gain.

TE Stephen Alexander

Alexander was not targeted in the game.

PK Jason Elam 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Elam was perfect on the night, converting field goals from 43 yards and 44 yards as well as an extra point try. Paul Ernster handled kickoffs.

DEN Rush Defense

The Broncos did well against the run and the Ravens failed to gain more than ten yards on any play. Jamal Lewis was held to under three yards per carry. Al Wilson seemed to be involved on almost every play, and he posted 12 solo tackles and four assists during the game.

DEN Pass Defense

The Broncos held the Ravens to 154 net passing yards on 34 attempts. McNair was sacked by Michael Myers and fumbled the ball, but the Ravens recovered. Ebenezer Ekuban also registered a sack. The key to the game was the Denver secondary. Champ Bailey and Darrent Williams each had an interception, before Domonique Foxworth added a third at the end of the game. John Lynch suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit and left the game in the fourth quarter with a pinched nerve in his neck.