[Baltimore Sun] Ravens vs. Broncos staff picks: Who will win Sunday’s game in Baltimore?

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Here’s how The Baltimore Sun sports staff views the outcome of Sunday’s Week 8 game between the Ravens (5-3) and Denver Broncos (5-3) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore:

Brian Wacker, reporter

Ravens 24, Broncos 20: The Broncos’ defense is daunting when digesting the numbers, but Denver has also played the 31st easiest schedule per defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA), with only the Chicago Bears having an easier slate. Baltimore also has a 27-7 record against rookie quarterbacks during coach John Harbaugh’s tenure, though at 24 years old with five years of college experience, Bo Nix is an atypical first-year quarterback. Still, the Ravens’ pass defense has been among the worst in the league, and coach Sean Payton has Denver on a roll with victories in five of its past six. Like most Ravens games this year, expect this one to be another nail-biter.

Childs Walker, reporter

Ravens 27, Broncos 23: What looked like a sure win when the schedule came out feels like anything but for the Ravens given Denver’s all-around defensive strength and Bo Nix’s rapid improvement at quarterback. The Ravens have made almost every opposing quarterback look good, and they can’t just count on their offense to light it up against the league’s No. 3 scoring defense. That said, they’re easily the best team the Broncos have played, and they’ll come out with some urgency after losing in Cleveland. Sometimes, it really is just about which team has the better quarterback. Lamar Jackson will be the difference late in a rugged matchup.

Mike Preston, columnist

Ravens 28, Broncos 21: Denver appears to be one of the few teams in the AFC that can match up with the Ravens physically, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Broncos are ranked No. 3 in total defense, No. 7 in run defense and No. 4 in pass defense. Offensively, Denver wants to pound the ball with a strong running game, which is producing 121.4 yards per game. But the Ravens have something to prove, especially after losing to Cleveland last week. Maybe the setback to the Browns was a wake-up call. This game will probably come down to quarterback play. Denver rookie Bo Nix has a similar scrambling ability to the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, but Jackson has more experience and can provide more big plays. It will be interesting to see whether the Broncos crowd the line of scrimmage like the Browns did a week ago.

C.J. Doon, editor

Ravens 20, Broncos 17: Lamar Jackson dealing with knee and back injuries right before facing one of the league’s best defenses is a recipe for disaster. The Broncos rank second in the NFL in sacks (30), fourth in pressure rate (28.6%) and second in blitz rate (36.5%), meaning Jackson better be feeling close to 100% to escape the onslaught coming his way. It sounds like he is, and maybe that extra rest will help over the long run.

This is also a big test for receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Diontae Johnson against the lockdown cornerback pairing of Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss, not to mention solid slot defender Ja’Quan McMillian. Courtland Sutton can take advantage of the Ravens’ woeful secondary, Bo Nix is mobile enough to mitigate what little pressure Baltimore can throw at him and the Broncos just might be able to run the ball effectively against a depleted Ravens front behind what’s been an outstanding offensive line.

All of that said, it’s so hard to pick against a Ravens team coming off a bad loss and playing against a rookie quarterback. With Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins returning and a motivated Marcus Williams expected to be back on the field, the defense should deliver a bounce-back performance. If it doesn’t, it’s time to sound the alarm bells.

Tim Schwartz, editor

Ravens 31, Broncos 24: The Ravens’ defense is in disarray, there’s little question about that. The unit is allowing 361.3 yards per game and an NFL-worst 291.4 passing yards per game. That’s a steep drop-off for a defense that was simply dominant a year ago. Fortunately for Baltimore, its offense has become a juggernaut. Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP level again, and his playmakers have started to step up, too. Zay Flowers is 12th in the league with 527 yards and 41 receptions, and even Rashod Bateman is top-20 in receiving yards. The addition of Diontae Johnson, who could also help on special teams as a returner, will add another explosive element to an offense that leads the league in total yards per game (452.1) by a fairly wide margin. But Denver’s defense is no joke, ranking third in yards allowed per game (282.6) and is allowing only 15 points per game. But that’s largely been against some of the NFL’s worst offenses.

In comes Bo Nix, a rookie quarterback who has found his stride as of late, was recently named Offensive Rookie of the Month for October and is coming off a four-touchdown performance against the Panthers. As bad as the Ravens’ defense has been, they have faced most of the league’s best quarterbacks through eight games, and I’ll take John Harbaugh’s track record against rookie signal-callers and pick the Ravens to win another high-scoring game.

Bennett Conlin, editor

Ravens 31, Broncos 24: Bo Nix has played better of late, but the Broncos’ quarterback is still averaging a woeful 5.9 yards per pass attempt this season. Fortunately for Nix, playing the Ravens’ secondary might be the perfect elixir for a rookie trying to find his footing as a passer. The Ravens should have enough offensive firepower to win Sunday in a bounce-back home performance after that ugly loss to the Browns, but their defensive woes make it harder for me to expect a double-digit win. I expect Lamar Jackson to return to form — he missed a few easy throws last week — and the Ravens to eclipse 30 points for the fifth time this season.