Evans: One bad game for the Broncos or a sign of things to come?
Sep 24, 2018, 3:02 PM
Here are some hot takes from the Denver Broncos debacle in Baltimore:
Put this game in the “could’ve, should’ve” category. The Broncos had so many chances to win this game and just self-destructed.
» Regarding the blocked field goal and subsequent Chris Harris return for a touchdown wiped out by a Domata Peko block in the back …
I don’t care if it was a lousy call. You’re a fat guy next to another fat guy who has no chance of making a play. Keep your hands off him.
» On second-and-1 at the Ravens 25-yard line …
Garrett Bolles whiffs on a block allowing Keenum to get creamed. The fumble was recovered by the Broncos, but Philip Lindsay with an undisciplined penalty knocks Denver all the way back to midfield.
Drive over.
(Note: I love Lindsay coming to the defense of Jared Veldheer, who was speared by a Ravens player. But, most times officials miss the first guy and catch the one that’s retaliating. So, no matter how angry you are, you have got to keep your cool. Get revenge later.)
» Joe Flacco fumbles.
The ball falls right at feet of Shaq Barrett. If he falls on it, it’s Denver ball at the Ravens 40-yard line.
I get players are coached to scoop and run. I personally think that is dumb. More fumbles aren’t recovered doing it that way than are returned.
Just fall on the freaking ball.
» Courtland Sutton drops an easy first down that would’ve allowed the Broncos to run out the clock in the first half.
Instead, Marquette King is called in to punt and shanks one for just 35 yards, allowing Justin Tucker to kick a 52-yard field goal with no time left.
(Another note: All of these mistakes happened with Denver down 17-14. The Tucker field goal made it 20-14. Think of how this game could have changed.)
» It’s the Broncos ball at midfield.
Now it’s 27-14 with still plenty of time to get back into the game.
A Garrett Bolles holding call wipes out a 39-yard gain by Demaryius Thomas, but the Broncos overcome that and get first down.
Then there is a hold on Connor McGovern, but the Broncos overcome that and get to third-and-2 at the Baltimore 27-yard line.
There’s a chance for a field goal … uh oh, Ronald Leary unsportsmanlike penalty. Fifteen yards. Out of field goal range.
Three penalties on offensive linemen? Are you kidding me?
» It’s still 27-14, and Keenum throws an interception at the Baltimore 15-yard line.
I hate to be an “I told you so” type guy, but come on. I said all offseason Case Keenum had a fluke season in Minnesota.
Through three games is there any doubt that was true?
» Finally, second-and-goal at the 6-yard line.
No gain.
Third-and-goal. No gain.
Fourth-and-goal. Penalty. Too many men in the huddle. Seriously?
The Broncos turn it over on downs.
I believe all of the above shows how much the Broncos should be kicking themselves.
The optimist looks at all those chances and says, “Hey, we went into Baltimore and outplayed a pretty good Ravens team.” The pessimist says, “Lack of discipline, lack of coaching, and lack of leadership.”
Losing this game isn’t devastating. I think most of us had this as an “L” when the schedule first came out.
What’s disturbing is it opens up a lot of last season’s wounds, especially when it comes to the competency of Vance Joseph.
Now here comes red-hot Kansas City. We’ve already arrived at a critical juncture for this football team.
How do they handle this Baltimore loss? Do they learn from it? Do they improve? Do they give the Chiefs all they can handle and maybe even pull off the upset?
Or do they get embarrassed on their home field?
If it’s the latter, this season could start to spiral out of control.
