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, 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 TRACKS

Case Keenum, Denver Broncos suffer first loss of season - NFL Nation- ESPN
Keenum 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 Sun
Baltimore 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.com
The 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 « CBS Denver

Game Day Review: Broncos fall to Ravens in first road test of the season | FOX31 Denver
BALTIMORE -- 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 punch
Broncos 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. Broncos
The 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. Ravens
After a disappointing, early end to his day in Baltimore, Phillip Lindsay offered an explanation for his ejection as he tried to secure a loose fumble

Cover 4: Broncos fall to Ravens 27-14
These were the moments, stats and plays that mattered in the Broncos' 27-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Highlights: #DENvsBAL
Watch the best plays from the Week 3 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.

Instant analysis: #DENvsBAL
Phil 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 momentum
Safety 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.com
Los 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.com
Patrick Mahomes exploded once again to lead the Chiefs past the 49ers on Sunday

Seahawks' Earl Thomas torments Cowboys with two picks, taunting as trade rumors swirl - CBSSports.com
Thomas picked off two passes against the team that has been rumored as a potential trade destination

49ers fear Jimmy Garoppolo suffered torn ACL, season could be over - CBSSports.com
The 49ers may be without their franchise quarterback for the rest of the 2018 season

Packers' Muhammad Wilkerson carted off the field, taken to hospital with ankle injury - CBSSports.com
Wilkerson sustained what appeared to be a serious injury to his left leg

Raiders dealing with front office 'divide,' Gruden's crew led by guy who doubted Von Miller - CBSSports.com
The situation in Oakland is not great as it relates to the front office and coaching staff

Report: Rob Gronkowski nearly traded to Lions during draft, Gronk threatened to retire when he heard - CBSSports.com
The tight end wanted more money, the Patriots thought about trading him

NFL: Clay Matthews hit on Alex Smith is “textbook” roughing the passer – ProFootballTalk
The NFL's new focus on roughing the passer has once again created a Sunday evening ruckus. And, 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 – ProFootballTalk
The 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 – ProFootballTalk
The 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 – ProFootballTalk
Eagles 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 – ProFootballTalk
Aaron 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.com
Seahawks 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.com
The 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.com
The 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 game
Ezekiel 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 years
The 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, sack
Nigerian-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.