Broncos messy in ugly loss to Ravens Usually the first loss of the season doesn’t sting this much.Sunday’s Broncos game against the Ravens wasn’t much fun to watch. The defensive secondary is lost. The pass rush isn’t getting there. Injuries aside Jared Veldheer Jersey , there isn’t the level of enjoyment within the defense that has existed in past seasons. Joe Woods needs to make playing on that side of the ball fun again. Right now it’s work and it’s painful to watch. Case was the Keenum they gave us.Three weeks in, I’m starting to wonder just what the plan with Case Keenum is. It feels like play-calling has been unchanged from Osweiler, to Trevor, to Paxton, and now Case. The checkdown continues to reign supreme in the Mile High City and there is clear reluctance to put air into the ball. If the Broncos don’t start to stretch the field when they don’t absolutely need to, defenses are going to squat on underneath routes and crush momentum just like Baltimore did to Denver on Sunday. The failures of the offense aren’t on the players entirely. Once again, I’m harping on Vance Joseph’s ability to hold players accountable for their play. Does Joseph look at the box score? Emmanuel Sanders, a wide receiver, is listed above Denver’s veteran running back. That’s fine, it happens and all credit to Sanders that he’s due. However, how does the running back who was ejected in the second quarter still have a better day than the Broncos lone veteran running back? The Broncos can’t keep wasting snaps on someone who just isn’t going to get it. It hurts my brain trying to understand why opportunities continue to be wasted on this guy. What more do you need to see?The Broncos can either learn from their mistakes or continue to run the game plans and players that doomed the 2017 season. It’s time for Denver to take stock of what they want out of this season. They can keep doing what isn’t working or they can innovate. With Kansas City coming to town, it’s in the Broncos best interest to open their eyes. Otherwise, it’ll be lights-out on 2018. HORSE TRACKSCase Keenum, Denver Broncos suffer first loss of season - NFL Nation- ESPNKeenum was a shaky 7-of-12 passing for 56 yards with three sacks and a fumble at halftime. It didn't get better.Instant analysis of the Ravens' 27-14 win over the Denver Broncos - Baltimore SunBaltimore Sun writers and editors weigh in on the Ravens-Broncos game Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.Broncos' Phillip Lindsay ejected for throwing punch - NFL.comThe Broncos will have to play the rest of Sunday without their promising running back. Phillip Lindsay was ejected from Denver's game against the Baltimore Ravens for throwing a punch.Ravens 27, Broncos 14 芦 CBS DenverGame Day Review: Broncos fall to Ravens in first road test of the season | FOX31 DenverBALTIMORE -- The Broncos fell to 2-1 in a game full of penalties in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon. Denver had 13 penalties for 120 yards in the 27-14 loss to the Ravens.Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos RB, ejected for throwing punchBroncos running back Phillip Lindsay was ejected after he was seen throwing a punch in the middle of a fumble scrum.The Breakdown: Eisenberg’s Five Thoughts on Ravens vs. BroncosThe Ravens proved this soggy afternoon that they’re for-real playoff contenders and there are kudos to spread around after limiting Von Miller and overcoming key defensive injuries.Phillip Lindsay accepts responsibility after first-half ejection vs. RavensAfter a disappointing, early end to his day in Baltimore, Phillip Lindsay offered an explanation for his ejection as he tried to secure a loose fumbleCover 4: Broncos fall to Ravens 27-14These were the moments, stats and plays that mattered in the Broncos' 27-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.Highlights: #DENvsBALWatch the best plays from the Week 3 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.Instant analysis: #DENvsBALPhil Milani and Matt Boyer break down what happened in the Broncos' 27-14 loss at Baltimore on Sunday.Simmons jumps out on special teams, but penalties steal momentumSafety Justin Simmons talks with Broncos TV about his field-goal block in the first half and why he believes penalties ultimately doomed the Broncos in Baltimore.Injuries we're tracking from Sunday's Week 3 games - NFL.comLos Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters was among those to go down Sunday. Here are the injuries we're monitoring on the third weekend of the 2018 NFL season.49ers vs. Chiefs final score, takeaways: Mahomes is the NFL's best QB in the NFL's best offense - CBSSports.comPatrick Mahomes exploded once again to lead the Chiefs past the 49ers on SundaySeahawks' Earl Thomas torments Cowboys with two picks, taunting as trade rumors swirl - CBSSports.comThomas picked off two passes against the team that has been rumored as a potential trade destination49ers fear Jimmy Garoppolo suffered torn ACL, season could be over - CBSSports.comThe 49ers may be without their franchise quarterback for the rest of the 2018 seasonPackers' Muhammad Wilkerson carted off the field, taken to hospital with ankle injury - CBSSports.comWilkerson sustained what appeared to be a serious injury to his left legRaiders dealing with front office 'divide,' Gruden's crew led by guy who doubted Von Miller - CBSSports.comThe situation in Oakland is not great as it relates to the front office and coaching staffReport: Rob Gronkowski nearly traded to Lions during draft, Gronk threatened to retire when he heard - CBSSports.comThe tight end wanted more money, the Patriots thought about trading himNFL: Clay Matthews hit on Alex Smith is “textbook” roughing the passer – ProFootballTalkThe NFL's new focus on roughing the passer has once again created a Sunday evening ruckus. And Connor McGovern Jersey , once again, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is smack dab in the middle of it all.First-place Bears beat Cardinals as Josh Rosen replaces Sam Bradford – ProFootballTalkThe Sam Bradford era appears to be over in Arizona, after just three games. Bradford was lousy in the Cardinals' loss to the Bears today, and he was eventually benched in favor of rookie Josh Rosen.Rams put up 521 yards in 35-23 win – ProFootballTalkThe Rams offense impressed in the first two weeks of the regular season and they outdid themselves in Week Three against the Chargers. Jared Goff threw for 354 yards, Todd Gurley ran for 105 and the team piled up 521 yards while beating the Chargers 35-23 in the NFL's first Battle of Los Angeles ...Carson Wentz: Felt good to finally be out there – ProFootballTalkEagles quarterback Carson Wentz didn't play at all in the preseason, so he had not taken a hit since his knee injury late last season when he got hit for the first time in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Colts.Aaron Rodgers says hamstring is fine – ProFootballTalkAaron Rodgers appeared to grab his right hamstring during Sunday's loss to Washington. The Packers quarterback denied he injured his hamstring, though. In fact, he doesn't even remember ever grabbing the back of his leg. “Nope,” Rodgers said, via packersnews.com. “I don’t know.Earl Thomas on not practicing: 'I'm investing in myself' - NFL.comSeahawks safety Earl Thomas closed a tumultuous Sunday telling reporters that he doesn't plan to practice for Seattle if he doesn't feel like it.Bills rout Vikings in Minny for shocking upset - NFL.comThe Bills shocked the world Sunday afternoon. In a game that most people thought would be a bust in Minneapolis, Buffalo ended up destroying the Vikings 27-6.Andrew Luck has 'no qualms' with Brissett's Hail Mary - NFL.comThe Colts battled with the Eagles on Sunday but came up short in a 20-16 loss. It wasn't much of a surprise, considering their recent history, but the way it ended raised some eyebrows.Ezekiel Elliott -- My 'poor perfomance' cost Dallas Cowboys gameEzekiel Elliott, who finished with 127 yards on 16 carries and whose 7.9 yards per rush were the second-best of his career, nevertheless took the onus for a loss to the Seahawks. "I got to do a better job of taking care of the ball," he said.Buffalo Bills shock unbeaten Minnesota Vikings to pull off largest NFL upset in 23 yearsThe Bills, who closed as consensus 17-point underdogs to the previously unbeaten Vikings, on Sunday pulled off the biggest NFL upset in 23 years, routing Minnesota 27-6.Efe Obada of Carolina Panthers awarded game ball after interception, sackNigerian-born Efe Obada never had an NFL game jersey before Sunday. Now, the Panthers' 26-year-old defensive end has an interception, sack and game ball. Telvin Smith broke toward the sideline during practice Wednesday and had newly signed running back Jamaal Charles in his sights.For a second anyway.Smith said Charles "hit me with a little step" that got the linebacker's attention and gave everyone else a glimpse of what the four-time Pro Bowl selection still has to offer to the Jacksonville Jaguars."I said, 'OK, OK,'" Smith said. "It was good to see him get out there and move and have that step. We're just ready to see that on Sunday."The Jaguars (3-2) signed Charles to a one-year contract Tuesday and expect him to contribute at Dallas (2-3) on Sunday.Jacksonville will be without Leonard Fournette for the fourth time in six games and lost third-stringer Corey Grant to a season-ending foot injury. The team also signed running back Dave Williams off Denver's practice squad.All eyes were on Charles, though. And for good reason.The 31-year-old running back had a successful career in Kansas City and insisted he has plenty to offer despite tearing a ligament in his right knee in 2015 and needing a second surgery the following year. Charles also tore a ligament in his left knee in 2011."I can't look back and get those years back, but I'm excited where I'm at right now," said Charles Ja’Wuan James Jersey , who played 14 games as a backup in Denver last year. "I feel good. I feel like last year was just trying to get back the feel of the game and get back to healthy again. Now I've been out for a while, but I've also had time to get my body right and get stronger and get healthy, so I feel great."The Jaguars certainly need a boost on offense.Fournette is out indefinitely, quite possibly until after the team's Week 9 bye, and is one of four starters sidelined. Receiver Marqise Lee (knee) and left tackle Cam Robinson (knee) are out for the season, and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle) is out at least eight games. Backup left tackle Josh Wells (groin) also won't play against Dallas, leaving Jacksonville with its third starter (Josh Walker) at the all-important position.Making the situation more dire, center Brandon Linder (back) and guard Andrew Norwell (foot) also missed practice Wednesday."It's difficult," coach Doug Marrone said. "It's adversity, and it gives us a chance to show where we can improve ourselves and do a better job. No one ever feels sorry for you, and we don't feel sorry for ourselves."I kind of get excited. It's a great challenge. It's a challenge to play in this league when you get to the level where you're bringing people in that are getting ready to play for you. I'm excited for those guys to have an opportunity, and I'm excited for us as coaches to see how we can use those players and the players that we have to the best of our ability."Charles worked out for New Orleans in May and had a more recent interview with Washington.But his first offer came from Jacksonville. He was more than willing to jump on a plane and head east from his home near Houston."I want to win a Super Bowl," Charles said. "That's why I kept my options open because I did want to win. I want to win a Super Bowl and they have a good chance to do that, so I came here to contribute."Charles has 7,556 yards rushing and 44 touchdowns, plus 2,586 yards receiving and 20 more scores.He will play behind T.J. Yeldon for now, a part-time role that gets him back on the field and gives him another chance to prove his worth."I'm just trying to bring energy, excitement, big plays and show them that I can still play," he said. "I want to give them a new boost, get them hyped, get them excited that I'm here. Be like a spark, you know what I'm saying, a spark to the fire and hope that we can make a flame."

Thus far Sammy Baugh Jersey , the success of the 2018 Washington Redskins season has been part “Redskins coming up with gutty, clutch performances” and part “stars aligning in their favor.”The end result is a 4-2 record that puts Washington two games up in the loss column over everyone else in the NFC East.What’s more, the previously formidable schedule suddenly looks rather favorable.A couple of weeks ago, observers highlighted the fact that the Redskins had no winning teams left to play.That’s changed slightly, thanks to the surging Houston Texans, but the truth remains that a whole bunch of middling teams populate the remainder of the Redskins’ slate.In fact, it’s not totally out of the question to say that the Redskins have already played most of the best teams they’ll see all year.Washington has squared off against three others teams who would make the NFC playoffs if the season ended today—and the Redskins beat two of them.Of course, a lot of that manageable-looking schedule owes to the fact that the six current NFC playoff teams are the only teams in the conference with winning records, but I digress.That brings us to this weekend’s game against the downtrodden New York Giants.Not only are the Giants struggling mightily, but they appear to have bailed on 2018.Just in the past few days, they’ve dealt cornerback Eli Apple to the Saints and former All-Pro run-stopper Damon “Snacks” Harrison to the Lions.Janoris Jenkins may be next.New York is already in full rebuilding mode, and it’s only October.Add to the mix a disgruntled Odell Beckham, Jr., and it’s clear that the Giants are reeling—and the timing of their collapse works decidedly in the Redskins’ favor.When people talk about “must-win” games, they usually mean games that, if lost, effectively (or literally) eliminate a team from contention.In this case, the Giants game is a “must-win” because it’s a 24-karat-golden opportunity.Why?So many reasons!New York may have the worst offensive line in the NFL.They have a quarterback in Eli Manning who is clearly in the last phase of a very good career.New York’s defense was ranked 25th in points allowed before it dumped Apple and Snacks, which, incidentally, sounds like it should be the name of the #2 morning radio team in Phoenix circa 1989.In short, this is a team in disarray. Admittedly, the Giants do have two elite skill players in OBJ and rookie Saquon Barkley.Both are true gamebreakers.But Washington’s pass-rush and run defense have been so good of late that it’s going to require an otherworldly effort from one or both of them for the Giants to win.Granted, there are concerns about the development of the Redskins’ passing game with Alex Smith at the controls.So far this year, he’s provided excellent ball security but only modest productivity (sort of the anti-Kirk Cousins, oddly enough).He’s missing several weapons, though, so I’m not ready to pass any final judgments.Regardless, with a huge amount of help from Adrian Peterson, Washington’s offense has been good enough to get them to this point, and there’s no reason to think they won’t have a big game against a Giants team that just voluntarily parted ways with two defensive starters.Yet, Redskins fans are understandably guarded in their optimism.They’ve seen this movie before.And, in recent seasons, it hasn’t ended well. Last week, I said that the Cowboys game represented a chance for Washington to take a real step forward: “If (and it always seems to come back to “if” for this team) Washington can prevail at home against their biggest rival in a featured, late-afternoon throwback game, we’ll know the Redskins are in this race for the long haul.”They did it.And they are.Now comes the other half of the equation.In the parity-driven NFL, the gap between good teams and bad teams isn’t all that large.This isn’t the ACC or the PAC-12, after all.Yet, by all accounts, the 1-6 Giants are a team the Redskins should beat.Even on the road.And that presents this week’s particular test for Washington: Yes, good teams often beat their rivals.And good teams also necessarily sometimes beat other good teams.But what really separates good teams from mediocre teams in the NFL is the fact that good teams almost always beat bad teams.Are the Redskins ready to be a good team?I think they are.I thought they would beat Dallas last week.I thought they would win the NFC East this year.I think they’ll make a statement with a decisive win against the Giants on Sunday.Do that, and Washington will be 5-2, and the front-running can begin in earnest. Juan Thornhill, CB/SSchool: Virginia| Conference: ACCExperience: Senior | Age: 2?Height / Weight: 6-0 / 210 lbsProjected Draft Status: Round 2-3NFL Comparison: Adrian AmosCollege StatisticsPlayer OverviewCame to Virginia rated as a three-star recruit. Thornhill started as a sophomore and Junior at corner, before moving to safety as a Senior.He led UVA with 98 tackles in 2018. Athletic Traits (Pre-Combine)You have to take these unofficials with a grain of salt, but only nine defensive backs have ran a better 3-cone time over the past five NFL Combines, and only ten DBs have jumped higher than Thornhill’s reported 40.5 inch vertical over the past five years.Given these reported workout numbers and based on his film, I would estimate Thornhill will run his 40 between 4.48 and 4.52 seconds. The Film.StrengthsAn experienced, savvy player Charley Taylor Jersey , and a smooth athlete.Able to find the ball, with 26 passes defended, including thirteen interceptions in his career. Instincts and vision serve him well in zone coverage.Anticipates and mirrors routes well in man coverage. Durable. Missed only one game the past three seasons. Frequently lined up in press-man as a junior and experience as a corner gives him the versatility at the next level.As a safety, Thornhill can play as a single-high, cover-two, quarters, etc.Has the physical traits to lineup with flexed tight ends and big-bodied possession receivers. WeaknessesInconsistent making a play on the ball in the air.Not an intimidating striker as a tackler.May not have elite make-up speed to compensate for false steps. Sometimes he bit on double moves when playing corner, and could be exposed in the NFL if he is too aggressive. Quicker slot receivers, would likely be a difficult match-up for Thornhill. Does not profile well as a box safety.What Others Are Saying Draft analyst, Fran Duffy compares Thornhillto Eddie JacksonDuffy wrote ”I’ve been a fan of Juan Thornhill for a long time, going back to his sophomore season as a corner that the coaching staff talked about potentially moving to safety. That discussion continued into his junior year until injuries forced him to stay outside. Finally, in his senior season, the 6-1, 212-pounder slid inside for good and has been a playmaker for the Cavaliers all season long. The ball-hawking safety was an impact player for the UVA defense, and the way he patrols the secondary reminds me of another former corner who made the transition to the back end midway through his college career – Chicago Bears safety and former Alabama star Eddie Jackson.I like Thornhill a lot, and view him as a player who could hear his name called in the first round next spring.”Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy came away impressed, noting his “disciplined zone integrity, good anticipation, and secure hands (an underrated trait for a defensive back).” He also notes that he’s a quality defender in the box against the run, something you don’t see a lot of from rangy safeties. “NFL teams are very enticed by Thornhill’s skill-set as a safety and would even want to see him rep as an outside cornerback in a Senior Bowl environment,” writes Nagy. “If he continues to excel in his high/low safety role and displays adequate cover skills as a cornerback, Thornhill could become a favorite of many teams come draft time.”GBN Report - In today’s NFL, where the criteria for S play has turned from head-hunter to coverage guy, it is always worth watching when you find a S, who has previously played CB. Tony Pauline - Thornhill, a player who entered the season with middle round grades and someone we spoke highly of during our UVa preview, has been impressive (as a senior). Thornhill is a nice sized defensive back with a physical nature to his game. He’s stout defending the run and offers solid ball skills. Solid pre-draft workouts could push Thornhill into the third round.How Would He Fit On The Redskins A couple of months ago, the Redskins looked set at safety, with DJ Swearinger, HaHa Clinton Dix, and Montae Nicholson.Fast forward, and Swearinger is no longer on the team, Clinton Dix is a free agent, and Nichloson has been arrested. Thornhill has experience at both safety and cornerback positions, giving him a lot of position flexibility entering the NFL. In 2018, Virginia’s Quin Blanding, despite being a former 5-star recruit and four year starter went undrafted.He was not alone, as Oklahoma’s Steven Parker, Georgia’s Dominque Sanders, and Ohio State’s Damon Webb also failed to be selected. The theme, big hitters with poor athleticism are being devalued by the NFL. If you can’t cover, the NFL has little use for you.Fortunately, Thornhill excels in coverage from a variety of techniques. He has a natural feel for spacing in zone coverage, while also effective in man coverage where his length and physicality can be smothering. In Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson, the Chicago Bears have a great safety tandem, each of whom spent part of their collegiate career at corner.While I can see the Eddie Jackson comp, he wasarguably the best safety in the league in 2018, making the Amos comp a more realistic comparison. I think Thornhill can provide a similar skill set to the Redskins’ back end.