Bob Haynie: Mile Hile Memories
On Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos meet in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Featuring an MVP candidate, quarterback Peyton Manning, the Broncos come into the game as the number one seed in the AFC. After surviving the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round, Baltimore is looking to pull the upset and continue the playing career of linebacker Ray Lewis.
Going back to when the Colts resided in Baltimore, these two cities have hooked up in some pretty memorable games. Unfortunately, when the game is played in Denver, the memories for the local team are usually bad.
In 1977, the Colts and Broncos met in a nationally televised game at Mile High Stadium. Both teams were 9-1 and the winner would take over as the top team in the AFC. As the Colts were driving for the go-ahead points in the fourth quarter, Denver LB Tom Jackson stepped in front of a Bert Jones pass and ran it back 73 yards for the game clinching TD.
In 1983, QB John Elway made the Colts regret trading him to Denver by leading the Broncos to a come-from-behind 21-19 win in the closing seconds.
The 1996 season saw the Ravens travel to Mile High and lose an exciting 45-34 shootout to Elway and RB Terrell Davis.
In 2005, Kyle Boller stumbled and bumbled all over the field as the Broncos held off Baltimore, 12-10.
Even the 13-3 Ravens of 2006 couldn't break through in Denver as the Broncos prevailed on a Monday night, in the rain, 13-3.
This season in Baltimore, Manning and his boys took it to the home team, 34-17.
Peyton Manning has had great success against the Ravens. And playing in Denver has been a nightmare, as well.
Does this mean that the Broncos are a mortal lock to win on Saturday, of course not. But it will certainly will a tough task.
One that, hopefully, John Harbaugh and his team will be ready for.
Shameless plug:
Join me tonight at Two Rivers Steak and Fish House in Pasadena for the Bernard Pollard Show. LB Dannell Ellerbe will be filling in for Bernard. The show starts at 6pm. Get there early and have some fun as we preview this weekend's playoff games.
BH
