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Denver Broncos: 5 players who must improve for week four

By Sayre Bedinger

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos in action against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Case Keenum, QB

I think Case Keenum has been on this list after every single game so far this season.

So, clearly, he has to be better.

I will give Keenum some credit — he’s been making plays in the clutch and getting the Broncos into good position. The offensive line didn’t do him as many favors against the Ravens as he’s become used to, but Keenum also didn’t do them any favors by holding onto the ball too long.

There were times against the Ravens where the internal clock should have gone off for Keenum, and he should have thrown the ball away instead of waiting for something to come open. He’s a gamer and so holding out as long as possible to make a play is part of his nature and what makes him great as a player, but it can also get him into trouble.

One prime example of this set off a domino effect that changed the course of the game for the Broncos.

Keenum dropped back to pass with the Broncos in great field position late in the second quarter. They had just had a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown and called back on a block in the back penalty, but the offense had been moving the ball well so it was not really a big deal.

Garett Bolles was beaten around the edge badly by Terrell Suggs, and Keenum held onto the ball too long, so Suggs hit him hard. The ball popped loose and as players were fighting for it, running back Phillip Lindsay came up and jumped onto the pile. He ended up getting kicked out of the game.

It’s a bit of a stretch to say that Keenum is responsible for Lindsay getting kicked out of the game, but his internal clock had to be going off quicker. That decision to hold onto the ball too long and not just live to play another down ultimately led to Denver’s best running back through two games getting ejected.

Denver Broncos rookie grades vs. Ravens. dark. Next

Keenum also threw another red zone interception in this one and has failed to throw a touchdown pass in two straight games.

He simply has to be better, or the Broncos are going to continue to lose games.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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