Because the Baltimore Orioles are selfish, insecure jerks, the Ravens are forced to open up defense of their 2012 Super Bowl title on the road in Denver against the Broncos. It's a stinger for Ravens fans.
So at least the NFL's jabbing the Broncos a bit by posting giant pictures of Joe Flacco on Sports Authority Field.
OK, the NFL isn't taking any shots at the Broncos -- or Broncos fans -- though they might feel that way when they see the giant sign above, via the Denver Post.
Instead, it's the league promoting the matchup in a way that's designed to get fans of both teams interested in the game, as the Broncos explained on Twitter Tuesday.
Because the NFL promotes both teams playing in its annual Kickoff Game, fans will notice signage outside @SportsAuthField and around town...
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 26, 2013
...that features the Broncos and Ravens. But regardless of league guidelines, this will always be #BroncosCountry...
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 26, 2013
...and we can’t wait to see all the orange in the stands a week from Thursday!
— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) August 26, 2013
I honestly can't remember if last year's opener in New York pictured a gigantic Tony Romo face, but I kind of feel like it didn't. Maybe I'm wrong and the Cowboys and Giants were repped equally.
Not like Broncos fans needed another reason to be revved up for this rematch of a brutal playoff loss to the Ravens last year. But in case they needed something to put them over the top, they just got it.
