Reviewing the loss to Baltimore
1. The Broncos’ defensive issues were summarized in one play. The Ravens trailed 1410 in the second quarter and faced a thirdand2 from the Broncos’ 12. At the snap, running back Buck Allen headed to the right flat … and was covered by linebacker Von Miller. Allen caught the pass behind the line of scrimmage and beat Miller to the goal line. A redzone third down. And Miller was in coverage instead of rushing quarterback Joe Flacco. Inexcusable.
2. Another long day for the Broncos’ cornerbacks in man coverage: Bradley Roby (6of9, 72 yards by Flacco), Chris Harris (4of6, 44 yards) and rookie Isaac Yiadom (3of4, 59 yards).
3. It will be hard for Broncos special teams ace Joseph Jones to top what he did in the opening 90 seconds. He made the tackle on kickoff coverage that forced Baltimore to start at its 16. Following a threeandout, Jones made another splash play. He blocked Sam Koch’s punt 2.09 seconds after the football was snapped, dusting Ravens blocker Tyus Bowser. The Broncos scored one play later for a 70 lead.
4. On that touchdown run by Royce Freeman (6 yards), he started left before hopping right. Tight end Jake Butt was the lead blocker, pulling from left to right, but the play was so well blocked, Butt had nobody to hit and crossed the goalline untouched right before Freeman did. The Broncos’ second drive was capped by receiver Emmanuel Sanders’ 35yard touchdown run (endaround). Fullback Andy Janovich wiped out safety Eric Weddle at the 4 and receiver Courtland Sutton walled off cornerback Brandon Carr at the 1 to help Sanders score.
5. The Broncos rushed at least five players on 18 of Flacco’s 43 dropbacks 41.9 percent). But Baltimore’s commitment to keeping extra blockers was a direct result. On 11 of those pressures, the Ravens had six or more pass protectors. Bradley Chubb had his first solo sack of the year, bullrushing left tackle Ronnie Stanley (3.06 seconds). Shane Ray beat left guard Alex Lewis (3.22).
6. The Ravens rushed five or more players on 16 of Broncos quarterback Case Keenum’s 43 dropbacks (37.2 percent). Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith beat right tackle Jared Veldheer (2.66 seconds), outside linebacker Terrell Suggs beat left tackle Garett Bolles (2.84) and Suggs and linebacker Matthew Judon split a sack (booked to right guard Connor McGovern and left guard Ron Leary in 3.39 seconds).
7. McGovern allowed only one quarterback pressure/hit apiece in the first two games, but struggled against the Ravens. Our charting pegged him for allowing a halfsack, two hits, two pressures, and two penalties. Yikes.
8. Where the game really fell apart for the Broncos. Trailing 2014, they got possession first in the third quarter and Freeman gained 11 yards. First down: Brent Urban pass batdown. Second down: Keenum shorthopped Sanders. Third down: Keenum extended the play for 7.45 seconds before getting hit by Weddle as he threw incomplete. The Ravens marched 77 yards on 14 plays to seize control with a touchdown.
9. The Broncos had a seasonlow three missed tackles (Harris, Chubb and Roby). They have 15 in three games. The run defense was solid with 13 “stuffs” (gain or three or fewer yards). Defensive lineman Derek Wolfe had three stuffs and linebacker Todd Davis had 2½ .
10. The Broncos’ final offensive play was a mess. On fourthandgoal from the 7, the Broncos used an empty backfield. Suggs rushed from Keenum’s left side and was not blocked. He got in the way enough for Keenum to throw quickly and incomplete. It continues to be amazing how teams don’t communicate better in those situations. Miller is occasionally unblocked as well.