Baltimore Ravens speedy wide receiver Torrey Smith has two touchdowns in the team's divisional round matchup in Denver against the Broncos. Those two touchdowns are the only two offensive touchdowns the Ravens have scored, the other being a pick-six off of Peyton Manning by Corey Graham. Those two touchdowns were also against Ravens cornerback Champ Bailey, and it could have been much, much worse.
Ravens vs. Broncos: Torrey Smith owns Champ Bailey
With half a minute left in the first half, Joe Flacco hit wide receiver Torrey Smith for his second touchdown catch of the game, tying the score 21-21.
Smith, the Ravens' deep-threat receiver, has made Bailey show his age on Saturday as he has two receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey has struggled badly to keep up with Smith down the field and has been burnt on more than these two occasions. Bailey was beaten badly by Smith on two other plays, one down the middle of the field but Joe Flacco overthrew badly. The other was down the sidelines, but Smith wasn't able to hold on to the ball or stay in bounds.
Had Flacco and Smith connected on both of those passes, Smith would have likely had at least 160 yards and three touchdowns at halftime.
It’s fairly obvious that the Ravens are picking on Bailey, using Smith’s speed to pick up big plays. However, while Bailey has been made to look a fool twice so far in the first half, he should feel lucky it isn’t much worse for him right now.
Bailey’s ability to go one-on-one with the opposing offense’s No. 1 receiver is a big part of the Broncos’ defensive game plan. It will be interesting to see what adjustments the secondary makes to help Bailey handle Smith in the second half and what other options potentially open up for Flacco and the Ravens offense.
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