"Not playing up to the standard I feel like was disappointing." 🗣 Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto speaks after a tough day for the Denver defense. Read more: https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/denver-broncos-vs-baltimore-ravens-2024/73-3db14c44-ed38-4985-8852-908f976beaf5 For most of the first half, there was a highly entertaining battle of dual-threat quarterbacks. A case can even be made Broncos’ rookie Bo Nix displayed greater athleticism than the Ravens’ incomparable Lamar Jackson. Nix showed off a triple-threat game as he passed, ran and caught a 2-yard touchdown throw from receiver Courtland Sutton. But Lamar only needed to show off one trick – his arm – and Derrick Henry was around to take care of the running game as the Ravens finished off their drives much better than the Broncos did. The Ravens crushed the Broncos, 41-10 here Sunday on a bright, comfortable early November afternoon before 71,051 fans at M&T Stadium. "We got our ass whooped,'' said Denver defensive tackle D.J. Jones. "41-10. We got whooped." “Very frustrating because that score and the finish don’t represent our team,'' said Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper. "It doesn’t represent who we are. Like, not even close. We knew they had a good red-zone offense. But they got big plays to get to the red zone and then their whole playbook would open up.’’ While the Broncos have mostly exceeded expectations as the season crosses the halfway point, it's fair to say they were not quite ready for the big stage. CBS' top television broadcast crew of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson were assigned to a Broncos' game for the first time since Christmas Day, 2022. That game didn't go so well for the Broncos, either, did it Nathaniel Hackett? The Broncos are now 5-4 and play next Sunday at Kansas City against the undefeated Chiefs. The Ravens improved to 6-3 and have a Thursday night home game up next against the Bengals. “There’s a reason why they’re the No. 1 offense,'' said Denver defensive end Zach Allen. Indeed, the Ravens entered the game scoring a league-best 30.3 points per game. The Denver D was ranked No. 3, allowing 15.0 points per. Not anymore. "Look this is a tough league,'' said Broncos' head coach Sean Payton. "You work all week. I think the most important thing -- and I finished telling them this -- there’s going to be games when you have to go in on Monday and it’s not going to taste good for any of us. We’re not going to like it but that’s life. "And then we got to bow up and get ready to play next week. That’s why it’s so important when we’re bringing in the right type of players and the mindset. Let’s not make any excuses, we got whupped today.” The Broncos were in the game most of the first half thanks to Nix. He threw for 159 yards in the first half, rushed for 27 off three carries (before a end-of-half kneeldown), and had the 2-yard touchdown catch in which he went off the ground to out-position a defender and snag Sutton’s pass at the goal line. "We called it at the right time,'' Nix said. "Courtland looked pretty good again on that play." Sutton hit fullback Michael Burton for a 28-yard completion last week, giving him a perfect 158.3 rating. Speaking of which, there is Lamar Jackson. The league's defending MVP had 208 yards passing and two touchdowns off a highly efficient 11 of 12 passing in the first half. Zay Flowers caught both touchdowns – one from 7 yards and the other on 53-yard play with 16 seconds left in the first half as Denver’s secondary did a poor job of tackling and pursuing. As a runner, Jackson was tackled by Nik Bonitto for an 8-yard loss on his only first-half run. And no, Lamar didn’t have a reception. But even with missing practices Wednesday and Thursday to rest his battered body, Jackson was sharp. Jackson finished the game 16 of 19 for 280 yards and 3 touchdown passes for a perfect 158.3 passer rating. "He played really well again,'' Nix said of his counterpart." He’s a phenomenal football player, throws the ball really well. He used several arm angles today that’s just really good, and it’s hard to do what he does on a consistent basis. He missed some practice this week and came out looking very sharp, so props to him.” More local videos here: https://bit.ly/2Pa0d1l Subscribe to NEXT: http://bit.ly/2eP1GwI Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: http://www.9news.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NEWS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9newsdenver/ Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.