BALTIMORE (AP) — The Denver Broncos have surged into second place in the AFC West thanks to a stout defense, a surprisingly effective rookie quarterback and the ability to win on the road. None of those qualities were evident in a humbling 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. After winning five of six games to establish itself as a potential playoff contender, Denver was unable to compete with a team that last year reached the AFC title game and includes the double NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who carved up a Broncos defense ranked among the best in the league. Not only that, but rookie Bo Nix was repeatedly frustrated by a Baltimore defense that came up big when it mattered most.

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Denver Broncos have surged into second place in the AFC West thanks to a stout defense, a surprisingly effective rookie quarterback and the ability to win on the road.

None of those qualities were evident Sunday in a humbling 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

After winning five of six to establish itself as a potential playoff contender, Denver (5-4) was unable to compete with a team that reached the AFC title game last season and which includes two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who tore up the Broncos. defense ranked among the best in the league.

Not only that, but rookie Bo Nix was repeatedly frustrated by a Baltimore defense that came up big when it mattered most.

“Look, we got beat today,” coach Sean Payton said. “We didn’t do enough things against a good football team.”

Before Sunday, the Broncos had not allowed the opposition 350 yards or more than 26 points. Baltimore easily surpassed those numbers, racking up 396 yards and surpassing the 30-point mark early in the third quarter.

Jackson threw for 280 yards and three scores. Derrick Henry ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns, and the Ravens turned a close game into a runaway by scoring with the final possession before halftime and the first series of the third quarter.

“It’s a big turning point,” Payton acknowledged.

Nix bore little resemblance to the fearless rookie who threw nine touchdown passes and just one interception during Denver’s 5-1 surge after an 0-2 start.

The 12th overall pick in the 2024 draft completed 19 of 33 passes for 223 yards. His first pass of the day was recovered.

Nix readily accepted his share of responsibility for this difficult afternoon.

“It’s miserable, it’s not fun. You never want to lose games like this,” he said. “We have to face it. Either you stand there and point the finger at someone else, or you take ownership. The only way to get over it is to look within. This is what we are going to do.

The offense’s most notable missteps came on fourth down. The Broncos had one of five fourth-down attempts – the only conversion coming on a trap play that produced their only touchdown, a pass from Courtland Sutton to Nix that cut Baltimore’s lead to 10-7 in the second quarter.

The Ravens outscored Denver 31-3 for the rest of the game.

“You know when you play a good team like this on the road, you want to go into the fourth quarter (with a close score),” Payton said. “We couldn’t do that.”

The Broncos were 3-1 on the road entering the day and will visit the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs next weekend.

Denver must therefore move forward as quickly as possible.

“The most important thing – and I just finished telling the team – is that there will be games when you come in on Monday and it won’t taste good for any of us.” , Payton said. “We’re not going to like it, but that’s life. We make no excuses. We were whipped today.

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