Schlereth: These Broncos are not good enough to overcome stupidity

Oct 15, 2018, 11:05 AM Updated: 2:06 pm

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a catch and draws a taunting penalty in the first quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders shouldered at least part of the blame for a 23-20 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Rams, saying his first-quarter taunting penalty cost his team the game.

The penalty put the Broncos at first-and-10 from the 15-yard line instead of first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Having to settle for a field goal, the play likely removed four points off the board for Denver.

“I looked at the scoreboard, we lost by three points. I feel like we could’ve easily punched that ball in and got four points,” Sanders said. “I guess this loss is on me.”

On Monday, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mike Evans called it a “stupid, selfish play.”

“It was a stupid, selfish play. Any time you get a taunting call, that is you putting yourself ahead of your football team,” Evans said.

As for if it cost the game, Evans’ co-host Mark Schlereth said there’s a bigger issue, one of culture and discipline.

“Denver Broncos, you are not good enough to be stupid. You’re not. You’re not a good enough football team. You don’t have good enough players. You don’t have good enough depth. You just don’t,” Schlereth said. “You don’t have good enough whatever. You don’t have good enough coaching. I mean, none of that.

“So, you can’t overcome stupid penalties. You can’t overcome self-inflicted wounds. And, ultimately, I look at that stuff as an organizational issue. A culture issue. A putting yourself ahead of your teammates issue.”

After the game, head coach Vance Joseph said the undisciplined nature of his team likely cost the Broncos double-digit points against an undefeated Rams team.

“Our guys played hard, that’s apparent, but we have to play a better brand of football as far as penalties,” Joseph said. “That cost us probably 10 points today.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.