Broncos Face Humbling Setback as Ravens Bring Them Back to Earth

Broncos Face Humbling Setback as Ravens Bring Them Back to Earth

 

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Denver Broncos climbed to second in the AFC West thanks to a strong defense, an unexpectedly effective rookie quarterback, and impressive road wins. However, those strengths were nowhere to be found in a crushing 41-10 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

After a promising stretch where they won five of six games, the Broncos (5-4) struggled against a formidable Ravens team, which reached the AFC Championship last season. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, shredded a Denver defense that was previously among the best in the league. Rookie Bo Nix faced constant pressure from a Baltimore defense that delivered when it mattered most.

 

 

 

 

 

We got beat today, said coach Sean Payton. We didn’t execute well enough against a good football team.

Before this game, the Broncos had not allowed an opponent to gain over 350 yards or score more than 26 points. The Ravens easily surpassed those figures, amassing 396 yards and hitting the 30-point mark early in the third quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns, while Derrick Henry rushed for 106 yards and two scores. The Ravens turned a close contest into a blowout by scoring just before halftime and again to start the third quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a big swing, Payton noted.

Nix, who had previously shown promise with nine touchdowns and just one interception during Denver’s 5-1 run after an 0-2 start, struggled to find his rhythm. The 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft completed 19 of 33 passes for 223 yards, throwing an interception on his first attempt.

 

 

 

 

Taking responsibility for the loss, Nix expressed his frustration: This is miserable; it’s no fun. You never want to lose like this. We have to face it. You either point fingers or take ownership, and we’re going to look internally.

 

 

 

 

The Broncos’ offense faltered, particularly on fourth downs, converting just one of five attempts. The lone success came from a trick play that resulted in their only touchdown, a pass from Courtland Sutton to Nix that narrowed the score to 10-7 in the second quarter. The Ravens then outscored Denver 31-3 for the rest of the game.

 

 

 

 

 

When you play a good team like this on the road, you want to stay close into the fourth quarter,” Payton said. “We weren’t able to do that.

Heading into this matchup, the Broncos had a solid 3-1 road record, but they now look ahead to next week’s game against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

 

 

 

 

 

Payton emphasized the need to move forward quickly: There are going to be games where you come in on Monday and it’s not going to feel good. We’re not making excuses. We got whipped today.