BALTIMORE — The Broncos fell to the Ravens, 27-14, on Sunday. Here are the game’s best and worst:
UP: Special teams blocks. The Broncos batted the football down twice. Linebacker Joe Jones blocked the Ravens’ first punt attempt deep in their own territory and Denver scored one play after recovering the football. Safety Justin Simmons joined the party in the second quarter with a field goal block when he came clean up the middle.
DOWN: challenges. The Broncos’ coach threw his red flag after an 8-yard reception that gave Baltimore second-and-short at the Denver 32 in the first half. Review showed Crabtree maintained possession with a knee and elbow in bounds and the call was upheld. Joseph later attempted a second challenge on the spot of a goal-line Ravens’ rush before officials notified Joseph the play in question could not be challenged.
UP:Josey Jewell. The Broncos’ fourth-round rookie made his first NFL start at inside linebacker.Jewell finished with six tackles (third-most among all Broncos defenders).
DOWN: ‘s emotions. Denver’s breakout rookie running was ejected late in the second quarter after being flagged for allegedly throwing a punch (unsportsmanlike conduct) in a scrum following a sack of quarterback . Lindsay isn’t afraid of anyone. He’s still got to keep his head cool when thrown into the fire, however.
UP:. Denver’s No. 5 overall pick recorded his first full NFL sack on the Ravens’ second play from scrimmage. Chubb finished with two tackles.
DOWN:More untimely penalties. A whole bunch to choose from here (and plenty from the offensive line). Left tackle Garrett Bolles got flagged twice for holding with the Broncos in scoring position. Center Matt Paradis also received two hold calls. Right guard earned a 15-yard unnecessary roughness call that pushed the Broncos out of field goal range.The most damning Denver penalty, though, occurred late in the fourth quarter with 12 Broncos in the offensive huddle as they attempted to convert fourth-and-one at the Ravens’ 6-yard line.
UP: Broncos uniforms. The all-whites with blue helmets is as fresh as it gets for Denver.
DOWN: Keenum’s heroics. The Broncos quarterback led fourth-quarter comeback drives in the first two games but but he couldn’t muster the same magic in Baltimore down two possessions. Keenum threw a red zone interception with about 9 minutes left. He had a 67.3 passer rating.
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