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Denver Broncos: How the team lost badly to the Baltimore Ravens

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos went into Baltimore confident after a 2-0 start but will return to Denver with a bad taste in their mouths due to a terrible loss.

The Denver Broncos lost a really ugly game to the Baltimore Ravens that started out looking much better than any other game in recent weeks for Denver.

The Broncos led the game 7-0 after forcing the Ravens to go three-and-out and blocking a punt, setting up an easy Royce Freeman touchdown in the first half.

The ensuing drive by the Baltimore Ravens was a microcosm of the rest of the Broncos’ afternoon in Baltimore. A 15-yard penalty set the Ravens up with great field position, and they were able to march down the field easily with another penalty helping set up their first touchdown of the game.

The Broncos responded with a touchdown, this one a big 35-yard run by Emmanuel Sanders, who continues to look like the Broncos’ best offensive player.

After Sanders scored to put the Broncos up 14-7, Denver failed to record another point, and the Ravens scored 20 unanswered. How they got to that point was fascinating. The Ravens took a 17-14 lead in the second quarter and were about to take a 20-14 lead before Justin Simmons blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown by Chris Harris Jr.

Fans were celebrating the Broncos going up 20-17 with a chance to add another point on the extra point when the flag graphic popped up on CBS’ broadcast, as it did a whopping 13 times for Denver for 120 yards on Sunday afternoon.

Billy Turner, who wasn’t even in the play, was flagged for a block in the back which set the Broncos up at midfield prior to the half. More penalties ended up pushing the Broncos completely out of a scoring situation and they were forced to punt.

The offense continued to struggle into the second half, and Baltimore ended up taking a 27-14 lead midway through the third quarter. Denver had multiple chances to answer, but they were shut down mostly by penalties, and once by a Case Keenum interception, his fifth of the season.

Let’s take a look at how each phase performed in this game.

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