November 4th 2024.
In a highly anticipated game against one of the toughest opponents they have faced this season, the Denver Broncos were outmatched by the Baltimore Ravens. Despite glimpses of potential from rookie quarterback Bo Nix, the team ultimately fell short against Lamar Jackson and the high-scoring Ravens.
Nix displayed impressive skills with both his arm and his legs, even making a leaping touchdown catch. However, his performance was marred by a few missed throws and mistakes on fourth down, contributing to the Broncos' 41-10 defeat at M&T Bank Stadium.
Speaking after the game, Nix acknowledged the team's shortcomings, saying, "There were a lot of 'what ifs,' but the bottom line is we got our butts kicked." Against a formidable opponent like the Ravens, the Broncos needed to play a nearly flawless game to have a chance at victory, but they were unable to do so.
On the team's first drive, Nix attempted a pass to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but it bounced off Humphrey's hands and was intercepted by Ravens defensive back Ar'Darius Washington. Although Humphrey took responsibility for the turnover, Nix's throw was also off target.
Coach Sean Payton took an aggressive approach, going for it on fourth down five times throughout the game, but the team only converted once. In one instance, Nix missed a potential touchdown pass to rookie receiver Troy Franklin, who had beaten his defender.
Baltimore took advantage of the good field position and scored a field goal, taking a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Nix reflected on the missed opportunities, saying, "We came away with no points on several of those fourth downs. If we had converted, things might have been different."
In the later stages of the game, the Broncos had two more chances to score on fourth down but were unsuccessful. Nix overthrew a pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton in the end zone, and on the final possession, his pass to Sutton fell short of the goal line.
The team struggled throughout the game, with nine penalties and missed opportunities, including a holding call on left tackle Garett Bolles that nullified a rushing touchdown by Nix. The team had to settle for a field goal, and then watched as Jackson threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers, extending the Ravens' lead to 24-10 at halftime.
Nix's performance was not all bad, however. Apart from the interception and the missed connection with Franklin, he had a solid first half, completing 12 of 20 passes for 160 yards. He also had two completions for over 30 yards, including a 34-yard gain to running back Javonte Williams.
Nix's athleticism was on full display as he orchestrated back-to-back scoring drives, including a trick play where Sutton threw a pass to Nix for a 2-yard touchdown. This made Nix only the third quarterback in NFL history to score a rushing, passing, and receiving touchdown in their rookie year.
Despite the impressive plays, Nix was unable to match Jackson's performance, as the Ravens quarterback completed 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. "You never want to lose games like this," Nix said. "It's tough, but we have to face it and look within ourselves, starting with me."
The Broncos will need to regroup and address their mistakes before their next game. However, there were some positive signs, such as Nix's connection with Sutton, who recorded back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time in his career. With continued improvement, the Broncos hope to bounce back and secure more victories in the future.
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