10 quick thoughts on the Broncos loss to the Ravens in week 4

The Denver Broncos lost a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. We take a look at some quick observations from the team’s first loss of the year.

Broncos Country is understandably troubled by the way the team played in its first real test of the 2021 season against the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos weren’t all that competitive against the Ravens and it has many fans wondering if this team is actually any good.

Thankfully, this loss comes after the Denver Broncos opened the season with a 3-0 record. In order to reach the playoffs, those three victories had to happen to open the season to give the Broncos the cushion they need in order to have learning experiences like this.

As much as anyone may want to blame injuries for the way this team played (and those certainly had an effect), the Broncos had enough on the field to be able to beat the Ravens if they executed and limited mistakes.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

10 quick thoughts on the Broncos week four loss to Ravens

Let’s take a look through some of the good and bad in this game with quick-hitting observations, starting with some good.

1. Caden Sterns looks outstanding

The Denver Broncos seem to have a major steal on their hands in the fifth-round rookie out of Texas.

Sterns’ rookie season is reminiscent thus far of Justin Simmons in 2016 when he was added to the No Fly Zone.

Vic Fangio simply can’t keep the rookie off the field. In the last two weeks, Sterns has a big-time pass breakup, an interception, and in this game against the Ravens, he had a pair of sacks as a blitzer.

2. Javonte Williams needs an Angry Runs scepter

Does it get much better than this run from Javonte Williams?

As far as effectiveness on a per-snap basis goes, this was Williams’ best game of the 2021 season thus far. He averaged 6.9 per carry with 31 of his 48 yards coming on that one play.

3. Pat Shurmur abandoned the run?

Speaking of the running game, Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams carried the ball in this game a combined 16 times for 104 yards and nearly seven yards per carry.

Unfortunately, the Broncos had just five rushing attempts in the second half, one of which came on the final drive of the game. The abandoning of the run was a curious call based on the success the team had in the first half.