Broncos need to turn to Audric Estime. Bo Nix can’t be Denver’s best runner.

The most promising and disappointing takeaway from the Ravens’ loss to the Broncos centered on one player: Bo Nix. He met the moment but became the Broncos’ QB1, WR2 and RB1.

This combination will leave the Broncos SOL in the hunt for a playoff spot. It is not sustainable and requires change.

Coach Sean Payton told reporters Monday that they can’t expect a big move at Tuesday’s trade deadline, although the team clearly needs improvements at receiver and tight end.

“The focus is on the guys in this building,” Payton said. “Superman can’t get in.”

This is a missed opportunity to be a differentiated buyer – Cleveland’s David Njoku, anyone? – without mortgaging the future. Broncos Country deserves better after the last eight seasons.

However, there are internal upgrades. All comic characters do not wear capes. Lacking the Man of Steel’s help, the Incredible Hulk runs through the hallways. What was debated weeks ago is now obvious: It’s time to start rookie running back Audric Estime.

The Broncos need a jolt. They see themselves as a postseason team in a weak AFC and need to start acting like one. Mid is no longer good enough. Javonte Williams deserves respect and praise for his recovery from knee surgery, but at this point we can no longer conform the story to the comeback archetype. It’s simply about production.

Williams ranks 31st in rushing with 387 yards on 102 carries. Only four players in the top 50 average less than his 3.8 yards per carry. He wasn’t bad. The Broncos just need more.

And Estime represents someone capable of delivering more juice. His path will no longer be interrupted by an ankle injury that sidelined him for a month or concerns about ball security. Fumbling is unacceptable. And his two made it hard to trust him. But he has responded well to adversity and shown that he has learned and implemented his coaching points in his limited opportunities over the last few weeks.

At this point, the benefits are too intriguing not to expand your role. Payton agreed when I asked him about it on Monday after he went into great detail about running the football and stopping the run as keys to the Broncos’ second-half improvement.

“I think that’s a good and valid question that I would probably answer ‘yes,'” Payton said.

Although the sample size is small, it remains impressive: 15 carries, 95 yards, 6.3 yards per attempt.