Sanders shoulders blame for Broncos loss after taunting penalty

With just less than two minutes left in the first quarter, it appeared the Denver Broncos would be taking a 7-6 lead over the undefeated Los Angeles Rams.

Quarterback Case Keenum connected with Emmanuel Sanders for a 44-yard reception that, at the time, appeared to be a go-ahead touchdown.

After the play, Sanders got up and pointed at the defender he just beaten for what appeared to be a score, drawing a taunting penalty.

With going up on, perhaps, the top team in the NFL early, no harm, no foul. Right?

Except for a defender got a finger on Sanders just before he fell into the end zone, negating the touchdown and pushing the Broncos back 15 yards with the penalty.

Denver settled for a field goal.

After the 23-20 loss, the wide receiver said it’s a play that cost the Broncos the game on Sunday.

“I came down with a big play. Emotions are high. It’s not like I walked up to him and head-butted him. But it cost my team,” Sanders said in the locker room after the game. “I looked at the scoreboard, we lost by three points. I feel like we could’ve easily punched that ball in and got four points. I guess this loss is on me.”

However, the play is more indicative of an undisciplined culture that Denver has created, said “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mike Evans on Sunday.

“Emmanuel Sanders’ selfishness on that taunting penalty sums up this Denver Broncos season,” Evans said. “They are undisciplined and beating themselves with stupid mistakes and decisions.”

After the game, head coach Vance Joseph said penalties cost the Broncos double-digit points.

“Our guys played hard, that’s apparent, but we have to play a better brand of football as far as penalties,” Joseph said. “That cost us probably 10 points today.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.