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Biggest surprise: Special teams woes

Why it's a surprise: On one hand it shouldn't be a surprise, as it's been quite some time since the Broncos special teams' units and consistency were paired together. But with the investment made in adding more speed to the roster in the offseason, the Broncos have surrendered a 38-yard kickoff return in the season opener and a 102-yard kickoff return for a TD in Week 2, have been called for a taunting penalty after downing a punt and surrendered a 42-yard punt return in Week 4. In a 3-1 start, none of those plays have cost them. But if this team really wants to be in the playoff conversation, repairs need to be made or those kinds of plays will cost them. -- Jeff Legwold

Sunday's showing against the Ravens is unlikely to convince doubters that Denver's perfect September was more about who the Broncos are than who they played. They were unable to stop Lamar Jackson through the air, and the offense couldn't get anything going in a dispiriting 23-7 loss at Mile High. Teddy Bridgewater struggled to move the offense before exiting the game with a concussion; Drew Lock took over in the second half and was unable to produce a single point as Broncos fans jeered. "It's extremely disappointing," safety Justin Simmons said. "We knew how important this was, especially being able to come back home and play a team like Baltimore. We knew what the stakes were for it, and it's just disappointing."

The offense was dreadful against the Ravens, especially after Teddy Bridgewater went down with a concussion. At 3-1, they still have to like their fast start.

Cupcake-laden September is over. October could be cruel with OLB Bradley Chubb out, QB Teddy Bridgewater in concussion protocol and much tougher opponents coming down the pike.

Well, that was a reality check for the Broncos. Outside of an impressive first-half touchdown drive, Denver couldn't muster much of anything offensively against the Ravens, no matter who was at quarterback. And Vic Fangio's game plan to stop Lamar Jackson from running backfired when Jackson threw for more than 300 yards. No wonder Fangio was still grumpy on Monday.