Drew Lock will be getting his first start since the season finale of last year. Lock, in action this year, logged 1 TD 2 Int and 2 fumbles. It is less than ideal numbers but I expect him to play a much cleaner and more efficient game this week against the Vegas Raiders. I speak for minority of Broncos fans when I say I am excited to see what he will bring to the table this Sunday and hopefully his play can help win part of the fanbase back even if he won't be back next year. Last time Lock played in Vegas, he threw 4 interceptions so this would be a nice measure of revenge for the 3rd year QB. Here are some keys for Lock to play well and ultimately lead to a win to still stay alive in the playoff race:
Balance
Drew must find the balance between checking it down and throwing the big one down field. Throw it too much downfield and that will lead to too many turnovers and checking it down all game won't make it any different than how it has been going when Teddy was under center. An example of when he played with balance was last year against Carolina. He took the short, underneath throws early in the game and when the corners and safeties started playing the receivers tighter, he unleashed the deep ball. It was his best game as a starter throwing for 21/27 280 yards 4 TDs with no ints. He has to take what the defense is giving him. If Vegas is playing a 2 high safety look, check to run or getting something short over the middle. If they start blitzing or play cover 1 man, which is man to man with one safety in the back, take the shot. If Drew can stay patient and play within himself, Denver can win this game. Most of Lock's INTs are from playing hero ball not because he fails to read coverages or gets fooled by the safety so I do think his football IQ his better than many people believe.
2. OC Help
Pat Shurmur must make a concerted effort to get the 1-2 punch of Williams and Gordon going early and often. This will be the first time Lock will have the benefit of having a great run game behind him as it was very inconsistent at times last year. A dominant run game will help set up play action where Lock was 64/92 for 774 yards with 7 TDs and 0 interceptions with a 120.5 passer rating. It's no surprise Lock thrives under playaction so it must be a point of emphasis on Shurmer's part get the running game going early so the play action passes are effective throughout the game. Also, try not to run many zone reads with Drew because he isn't Lamar Jackson. Shrumer and Lock seemed to click down the stretch from weeks 11-17 in 2020 where Lock had 9 TDs and 5 Ints as opposed to the 7 TDs and 10 INTs leading up to week 11. Hopefully, Shrumer can continue that trajectory with Drew and put together a gameplan that suits his strengths.
The Raiders are a reeling football team who barely got by the covid riddled Browns so I expect the Broncos to go in to Las Vegas and take care of business.
Prediction:
27-17 Broncos
Lock: 270+ yards 2 TDs and 0 Int
Williams and Gordon: 150+ yards and 1 TD
Defense: 2 Turnovers and 3 Sacks
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