Brandon Allen Set To Make His 1st NFL Career Start For The Denver Broncos

By Jordan Long

The Denver Broncos are preparing to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.  They will have a new quarterback under center, Brandon Allen.  Allen takes over for Joe Flacco who is out for 5 to 6 weeks with a neck injury. Allen marks the 6^th different starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos since 2017.

                Allen is in his 4^th NFL season and Denver is his 3^rd team.  He was with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 but on the practice squad.  In 2017 he was with the L.A. Rams and was the third string quarterback but was inactive for every game.  In 2018 he was on their practice squad.

                During the preseason Allen was with the Rams hoping to make the team.  He played in all 4 preseason games.  Allen ended the preseason 44 of 69 passing with 431 yards no touchdowns but tossed 3 interceptions.

                Allen showed he could move around in the pocket.  When the defense was rushing him, he ran to avoid being sacked or hit.  Those equaled more time for him to throw the football to find the open receiver or he could run the ball for short gains.  Allen had 24 rushing yards.

                The Rams let him go after the preseason.  The Rams decided Allen didn’t make enough plays to earn a spot.  The Rams went with Jared Goff and Blake Bortles as their two quarterbacks on the active roster.  They placed John Wolford on the practice squad.

                Denver was in need of a backup quarterback.  Rookie Drew Lock was on injured reserve after spraining his thumb in the Broncos 3^rd preseason game.  They saw Allen in their 2^nd preseason game and decided to take a chance.

                Allen hasn’t played a meaningful down of football in his short NFL career.  This is his chance to shine.  Allen should be able to make plays with his legs to buy time to throw the football to the open receiver, even if the pocket breaks down. That is the difference between him and Flacco.  Flacco is not a mobile quarterback and rarely scrambles to make plays.   When the rush is coming he just stands there.

                The Broncos are hoping Allen can help the Broncos end a two game losing streak.  If he plays well regardless of the outcome, Allen might be the starting quarterback for the next few weeks.  If not, Denver could be forced to play rookie Drew Lock or Brett Rypien the rest of the season.