Broncos vs. Ravens LIVE: 2013 NFL Season Kicks Off In Denver

LIVE: NFL IS BACK

Take deep breaths.. the NFL is back.

The defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens open the 2013 campaign on the road (thanks to those skidding Baltimore Orioles) against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in a rematch of a thrilling double-overtime AFC Division Round playoff game from last season.

"We still kind of have a scar from losing that playoff game and I think players need to kind of be reminded of that daily," Manning said during Broncos' training camp, per the Associated Press.

The Ravens return to Denver having won the Lombardi Trophy but lost Ray Lewis and Ed Reed to retirement and free agency, respectively. One of the additions to the Ravens' defense will be familiar to fans at Mile High: Stadium: defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who recorded 11 sacks for Denver last season.

Although the Broncos lost a defensive star in somewhat embarrassing fashion, they pulled off an impressive acquisition on the other side of the ball, adding wide receiver Wes Welker to Manning's arsenal. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2012, Manning will face off against reigning Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, who signed a lucrative new contract thanks in part after cashing in on Denver safety Rahim Moore in that playoff game.

With kickoff nearly upon us, it's time to set your fantasy lineups, make your suicide pool picks andGet your popcorn ready. Football is back.

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