The Sports Xchange

Baltimore Ravens (0-0) at Denver Broncos (0-0)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: Ravens coach John Harbaugh said there is no legitimacy to the thinking that Baltimore has an edge after offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak left after one year to become head coach of the Broncos, where Kubiak was once John Elway’s backup. His system, says Harbaugh, will be knitted into QB Peyton Manning’s established recall and the Ravens are left to hypothesize this week about the result of that meeting of QB minds. RB C.J. Anderson could be the big benefactor. Kubiak’s zone-running scheme thrives with downhill, one-cut runners who can also jet to the corner on a stretch play and, a greater priority, protect Manning. Two 100-catch wide receivers, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, tax the Ravens’ plan to use more man coverage.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco would give his left (non-throwing) arm to have such a complement of targets. He not only lost reliable security blanket TE Owen Daniels to the Broncos, but WR Steve Smith is his only established receiver. Rookie first-round pick Breshad Perriman (knee) won’t play, and with Denver’s trio of rush specialists – rookie Shane Ray, a first-round pick, joins Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware – it’ll be a busy night for Ravens RB Justin Forsett.

*Matchup to watch – Ravens DTs Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams vs. Broncos C Matt Paradis: Ballyhooed lineman Haloti Ngata was dealt to Detroit in the offseason, but Williams at nose tackle and Jernigan at end flashed dominance late in the 2014 season to convince GM Ozzie Newsome the future is now. Paradis has the physical game and mean streak of a cowboy, but the 2014 sixth-rounder could be overmatched.

*Player spotlight – Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr.: He’s one of the best in the business in coverage, and with the junkyard dog mentality and desire to want the assignment of checking Smith, the Ravens’ only known commodity in the passing game.

*Fast facts: Manning is 9-2 all-time against the Ravens and is 2,148 passing yards shy of the all-time record (Brett Favre, 71,838). … Thomas has 10 touchdowns or more in three straight seasons. … Harbaugh is the only NFL coach to take his team to the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Gary Kubiak preserved Peyton Manning in the preseason and with a running game to lean on to shelter their untested offensive line, the Broncos survive a rugged run-in with the Ravens.

*Our pick: Broncos 25-24.