Schlereth’s keys to Broncos win: Aggressive defense, get Lindsay involved

Mark Schlereth believes the Denver Broncos are not only the better team but will come away from a road game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday with a win.

The “Schlereth and Evans” co-host said on Friday, “If they do what they do on defense, play aggressive, and offensively Keenum doesn’t turn the ball over, they absolutely should win this game.

“I think they’re a better team.”

Here are Schlereth’s biggest keys to the Broncos coming away with that victory in Baltimore:

Take care of the football

Through two games, Denver quarterback Case Keenum leads the NFL in interceptions, tied with Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

So, “first and foremost,” Schlereth said, the Broncos “can’t turn the ball over” and expect to win against Baltimore.

“Case Keenum has got to be brilliant with the football. Don’t throw it into coverage, make sure you recognize what you’re doing, and don’t be afraid to throw the ball away,” Schlereth said. “This is not about hero ball. This is about protecting the ball and being a great game manager.”

Get Broncos rookie Phillip Lindsay involved

Because of his ability to be a threat in the run and pass game, Phillip Lindsay can keep the Ravens defense honest, Schlereth said.

“He keeps the defense honest in passing/running situations, where you can do both,” Schlereth said. “It keeps you out of those tough protected situations for your quarterback. They’ve got to do those things and run the ball so that you quiet down the crowd.”

Schlereth said being able to lull the crowd out of games is key for teams with the tough task of playing on the road in the NFL, and running the ball can help accomplish that.

“I think that’s one of the, for me, biggest parts of being a good road team, to basically eventually bore the home team out of it,” Schlereth said. “Get their crowd out of it. I think you have to be able to run the ball simply to take the noise factor out of a stadium.”

Be aggressive on defense

The biggest advantage for the Broncos over the Ravens on Sunday, Schlereth said, should be the ability for the defense to get to quarterback Joe Flacco.

“The way they want to push the ball down the field, you get to Joe Flacco and guess what happens. You get turnovers. You get sacks. You get field possession. You get short fields. You win football games,” Schlereth said.

Because Baltimore will run “deep drops” and “deep play-action passes,” it gives the Broncos an “opportunity to rush their quarterback,” Schlereth said.

“If you get the rush on that quarterback, he will turn the ball over. That’s what he does. He has consistently done that,” Schlereth said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.