November 5th 2024.
The Baltimore Ravens certainly proved their dominance on Sunday, delivering a resounding 41-10 defeat to the struggling New Orleans Saints. With no extra credit or demerits in the NFL, one win is simply one win, and one loss is one loss, regardless of the opponent's strength. Courtland Sutton, wide receiver and captain for the Denver Broncos, recognized the importance of facing top-tier teams like the Ravens and upcoming opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs. In these high-stakes playoff games, it's crucial for the Broncos to establish their identity and take advantage of every opportunity that arises in all three phases of the game.
However, in Sunday's game, none of the three phases performed up to par. As a result, head coach Sean Payton predicted a less-than-enjoyable Monday for the team during their film review. "It's not going to taste good for any of us," he grimly stated. "But that's life." There wasn't one specific moment that could have turned the tide in the 31-point game, but Payton did express disappointment in the Broncos' final offensive sequence of the first half.
After a 7-yard gain from Javonte Williams put the Broncos in a prime scoring position, the Ravens called a timeout, hoping to regain possession before halftime. The importance of seizing opportunities and controlling the pace of the game had been emphasized all week, and this was a perfect opportunity to put those words into action. Unfortunately, Denver's offense faltered, going backward 7 yards in three plays and only running 26 seconds off the clock. Instead of capitalizing on the Ravens' timeout, the Broncos were forced to settle for a field goal, leaving the Ravens with enough time to score another touchdown before halftime.
Despite the loss, there were some positives to take away from the game. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed promise in the first half, trusting his offensive line and making some impressive plays with his arm and legs. However, once the Broncos fell behind, Nix's stats became less relevant as they were forced to become one-dimensional. But overall, Nix's performance left room for optimism.
One trend that the Broncos will need to address is their struggles on their opening offensive possession. In the past four games, they have turned the ball over on their first drive three times, with two interceptions and a fumble. This trend continued against the Ravens, as receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey had a pass deflect off his hands and into the arms of a Ravens defender. This issue has been ongoing, with the Broncos only managing four first downs on their opening drives in all but one game this season.
Looking ahead, the Broncos will need to regroup and learn from their mistakes as they face another tough opponent in the Chiefs next week. It will be crucial for them to establish their identity and capitalize on every opportunity if they want to come out victorious against a perennial playoff team. As Payton said, "We're trying to score," and with a strong game plan and execution, the Broncos have the potential to do just that.
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