Who Will Protect This House? I Will.

Tonight the defending World Champions Baltimore Ravens open their season against the Denver Broncos...away at Denver. The Ravens were unable to continue the tradition of opening their season at home because of the Orioles' schedule. Yet, though they can't literally defend their house, the Ravens have plenty to defend. The idea of the house here is the championship. The Ravens must prove that they are more than a magical team of destiny, that they can be a dynasty. It is the goal that Harbaugh and Flacco have both vocalized. Can the Ravens make the leap? I believe they can. In many ways, they have improved their defense through adding youth and progressing towards the future. That is the idea of dynasty. Progressing, even if others doubt how the methods and the signings. The new look Ravens are faster and younger, though they must gel quickly to stop Peyton Manning. The Broncos are loaded on offense, but the defense has taken several hits on defense. The game tonight has a high chance of being high scoring, with both defenses reeling to control two explosive offenses. The Broncos have revenge on their mind, but the Ravens still have a chip on their shoulder and are entering a new era -- for the first time Ray Lewis is not the roster. It is Flacco's team now and he has risen to take control. At the Ravens home game, the fans chant "Who will protect this house? I will. I will." The chant will be absent tonight in Denver, but the idea behind it will certainly not be.

Pick: Ravens
Steven's Pick: Ravens