Broncos @ Ravens
Final Score: Ravens 41, Broncos 10
Writer: Riley Blum
The Broncos kept the game close until late in the second quarter when Lamar Jackson found Zay Flowers for two touchdowns before halftime. The Ravens would continue to pour it on with two long touchdown drives in the third, and their defense held the Broncos to -2 yards for the entire quarter. Baltimore pulled Lamar in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand. This was a strong showing on both sides of the ball for the Ravens, especially considering how good the Broncos’ defense had been coming into this game.
Three Up
- Courtland Sutton – Sutton led the team across the board in receiving categories, and he threw a touchdown to Bo Nix. After a goose egg in Week 7, Sutton has posted back-to-back games with 100+ receiving yards.
- Zay Flowers – The speedy receiver caught two touchdowns and led the Ravens in all receiving categories. He flashed his big play ability on a 53-yard touchdown, and he remains the top target in this Ravens’ passing attack.
- Derrick Henry – I doubt he can go up any higher, but Henry kept his scoring streak alive with two rushing touchdowns in this one. He also finished with over 100 yards rushing on the day, and he continues to break off big plays.
Three Down
- Isaiah Likely – Though Lamar Jackson only attempted 19 passes, Likely only received one target all game. Mark Andrews had two catches on two targets and has looked like the preferred TE target in this offense over the last few weeks.
- Diontae Johnson – I don’t want to be too down on Johnson since it was his first game as a Raven, but he didn’t play many snaps and didn’t receive a single target. His value is definitely lower than it was as the number one target in Carolina.
- Audric Estime – Despite reports he may be more involved in the run game, Estime did not see a touch until the fourth quarter when the Broncos were already being blown out. The silver lining is that he was decent on the few rush attempts he had.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: 19/33, 223 yards, 1 INT, 6 carries, 36 yards, 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards, 1 TD
Nix had a tough time in this game, and he was consistently pressured by the Ravens’ defense. His interception on the second play of the game wasn’t completely his fault, as Lil’Jordan Humphrey got a hand on the ball and tipped it, even if it was a bit high. Nix showed off his athleticism on some of his scrambles and had a touchdown run called back on a holding penalty. I thought this could be a trap game for Nix, with many thinking it was a smash spot against the Ravens, but he was able to salvage his day with an awesome touchdown reception on a pass from Courtland Sutton.
https://www.twitter.com/Broncos/status/1853149097165050104
Missed Opportunities
- Overthrew Troy Franklin when he had the defender beat, missing out on a touchdown.
- Nix had a scramble for a touchdown that was negated by a holding penalty.
- Courtland Sutton was tackled just short of a touchdown in garbage time.
Running Back
Javonte Williams:12 carries, 42 yards, 3 targets, 2 receptions, 42 yards
Williams remained the lead back for the Broncos, leading the team with 12 carries. He wasn’t able to get much going on the ground against a tough Ravens’ run defense, but he did contribute a chunk play through the air with a 34-yard catch-and-run, which helped him post a decent yards from scrimmage total.
Missed Opportunities
- Didn’t see a carry when the Broncos had first and goal from the one-yard line. The first down play was a FB dive that was stuffed, followed by three passes. The Broncos did end up scoring on a trick play pass to QB Bo Nix.
Jaleel McLaughlin: 5 carries, 10 yards, 3 targets, 3 receptions, 10 yards
McLaughlin served as the Broncos’ RB2/change-of-pace back. He finished with the second-most touches in this backfield, but he was unproductive with them.
Michael Burton: 2 carries, -1 yard
Missed Opportunities
- Burton was stuffed on an FB dive at the goal line.
Audric Estime: 5 carries, 35 yards
Estime had the longest run of the day for the Broncos on a 21-yard run, but he did not see any touches until garbage time.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 10 targets, 7 receptions, 122 yards, 1/1, 2 yards, 1 TD
Sutton posted 100+ yards receiving for the second game in a row and easily led the Broncos in targets with 10. He remains the Broncos’ best option in the passing game and received a few red zone targets in this game. He also threw a touchdown to QB Bo Nix on a trick play. This isn’t the first time coach Sean Payton has had Sutton attempt a pass, so it would be nice if he gets more opportunities on trick plays moving forward.
Notes
- Sutton drew a pass interference call in the end zone, ultimately leading to his fourth-down touchdown pass.
Missed Opportunities
- Sutton was tackled just short of the goal line on a catch late in the game, missing out on a garbage time touchdown.
Troy Franklin: 4 targets, 1 reception, 19 yards
Missed Opportunities
- Had his man beat for a touchdown on a fourth down pass, but Bo Nix overthrew him.
Devaughn Vele: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Marvin Mims Jr.: 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
Adam Trautman: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Lucas Krull: 1 target
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: 16/19, 280 yards, 3 TD, 3 carries, 4 yards
Lamar didn’t provide much rushing in this game, but he made up for it by being efficient through the air and tossing three touchdown passes. He connected with Zay Flowers for two scores near the end of the first half, and he hit fullback Patrick Ricard for a touchdown on a play-action pass late in the third quarter. Lamar continued his MVP level of play, routinely buying time outside the pocket and connecting with his pass catchers for multiple chunk plays. He posted over 20 fantasy points in most scoring formats on what should easily be his lowest rushing total of the season. He is now up to 20 touchdown passes on the season.
Notes
- The announcers noted that the last time Lamar showed up on the injury report with missed practices, he attempted fewer rushes in that week’s game.
Josh Johnson: 3 carries, 2 yards
Johnson played in mop-up duty and did not attempt a pass.
Running Back
Derrick Henry: 23 carries, 106 yards, 2 TD, 1 target, 1 reception, 27 yards
King Henry continues rolling, posting over 100 yards on the ground and two scores in this game against a tough Denver defense. He also added 27 yards receiving on a nice catch-and-run. Henry has scored a touchdown in every game this season, and he should continue to be one of the most valuable assets in fantasy football, even with a limited role in the passing game.
https://www.twitter.com/koestreicher34/status/1853142372961734773
https://www.twitter.com/Ravens/status/1853162871456211289
Missed Opportunities
- He did let Justice Hill stay in to take a goal-to-go carry that the King may have punched in if given that chance.
Justice Hill: 5 carries, 15 yards, 3 targets, 3 receptions, 43 yards
Hill remained solid in his change-of-pace and receiving role. He had a great 24-yard catch on a wheel route, where Lamar Jackson threw him a perfect pass. Hill’s production will continue to be inconsistent as Derrick Henry will command the majority of the running back touches outside of passing downs and two-minute drills.
Missed Opportunities
- Hill did receive a goal-to-go carry but could not get into the end zone.
Patrick Ricard: 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards, TD
Always fun seeing the big guy get a touchdown.
https://www.twitter.com/Ravens/status/1853167274804293847
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Zay Flowers: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TD
Flowers led the Ravens in targets, posting a nearly 30% target share. He was productive with his chances, scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 53-yard score where he forced a missed tackle and outran Broncos’ defenders to the end zone. Flowers is locked in as the top option in the Ravens’ passing attack, and his speed and explosiveness make it so teams cannot just stack the box against Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
https://www.twitter.com/koestreicher34/status/1853151295281995854
https://www.twitter.com/Ravens/status/1853156472445612261
Rashod Bateman: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 25 yards
A quiet day for Bateman in a game where the Ravens only attempted 19 passes. On the bright side, he was second on the team in targets and has retained the WR2 role, at least for the time being.
Mark Andrews: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards
After three straight games with a score, Andrews was unable to find the end zone in this game. He will be somewhat inconsistent playing in a lower-volume passing offense, but he did outproduce fellow TE Isaiah Likely.
Nelson Agholor: 1 target, 1 reception, 29 yards
Isaiah Likely: 1 target
*Diontae Johnson:
Johnson played a limited number of snaps and did not receive a target in this game. We will have to see how his role grows as he gets more acclimated in the Ravens’ offense, but it is somewhat safe to say that his fantasy value has taken a hit from where it was as a target hog in the Panthers’ offense.