November 4th 2024.
The Baltimore Ravens delivered a crushing blow to the Denver Broncos on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium with a final score of 41-10. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix couldn't help but admit, "A lot of what-ifs in this game," and acknowledged that they simply got their butts kicked. It was a tough loss for the team, but head coach Sean Payton believes that sometimes you have to embrace the misery and learn from it.
As the trade deadline looms on Tuesday, there has been talk of the Broncos being "one player away." However, it's not as simple as that. Payton humorously suggests that the player they need is someone born on the planet Krypton who can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Realistically, the team may need to make some tough decisions and sell some players. But at least they found a new wide receiver in Courtland Sutton, who also happens to be their quarterback.
Payton reflected on the Broncos' worst margin of defeat since their infamous 70-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins in September 2023, stating that it takes grit to bounce back from tough losses. He also emphasized the importance of not getting too down on oneself and keeping a positive mindset. The team needs to analyze their mistakes and make improvements to avoid being in the same situation again.
The Broncos have had some victories against weaker teams, but they have struggled against more experienced teams. This was evident in their 3-0 record against the NFC South, known as the Mountain West of NFL divisions, and their 2-4 record against stronger opponents. The Ravens, who woke up in a foul mood, showed that they have a different gear and a level of playmaking that the Broncos lack.
Despite the disappointing loss, there were some positives to take away. The Broncos' defense couldn't have played any worse in the second and third quarters, which only adds more clarity to the question of whether to "buy" or "sell" at the trade deadline. The team has exceeded expectations and has been doing more with less, but they also don't have a full compliment of draft picks until 2027. It may be best to ride out this season with the current roster instead of chasing after another player.
The Ravens have a lot of qualities that the Broncos lack, such as scar tissue from previous losses, playmakers, and experienced players. The Broncos have a shopping list of needs, including an RB1, a wide receiver to take pressure off Sutton, a TE1, a young LT1, and possibly another safety. They also need to address their mistake-prone tendencies, such as Devon Key's bad angle and poor tackling, which resulted in a 63-yard touchdown for the Ravens.
Payton has shown that he is not afraid to take risks, as seen in his decision to go for it five times on fourth down. Unfortunately, the team only converted one of those attempts into a touchdown. Payton acknowledged that sometimes you have to change your strategy in certain games, and this was one of those games. However, this is not a strategy that a playoff team would typically employ.
Although the Broncos have shown potential, they are still a young team that is in the early stages of a rebuilding process. Fans may want to see the 2023 Texans, but the reality may be closer to the 2020 Chargers, who also had a rookie quarterback and finished with a record of 7-9. Sutton believes that there is a learning curve in the NFL and that sometimes you have to experience some tough losses before you can truly succeed.
Ultimately, the Broncos' loss to the Ravens was a wake-up call for the team. It showed that there is still a long road ahead and that they need to be patient and keep working towards their goals. As Sutton put it, "You either step up or get stepped on." The Broncos have the potential to be a strong team in the future, but it will take time and perseverance to get there.
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