By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Denver is hoping to improve on their 3-1 record after suffering their first loss of the year to Baltimore. They may have to do it with Drew Lock as the starting quarterback.
Before halftime of last week’s loss, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who had been blitzed and hit all day, suffered a concussion. The Broncos were trailing 17-7. Before the injury, Bridgewater wasn’t effective in the passing game. He was 7 of 16 for 65 yards and 1 touchdown. The blitz made it difficult for Bridgewater to run out of the pocket to find an open man.
At the start of the 2nd half, Drew Lock came in to play in his first action of the season. He didn’t have much success as he was 12 of 21 passing for 113 yards and threw 1 pick. He was sacked 3 times. Lock tried to throw deep passes, but they were overthrown. Lock hasn’t seen first team reps since training camp and it showed.
According to si.com, Head Coach Vic Fangio said, “It’s difficult in that he doesn’t get the reps when you’re thrown in there cold, but I still think his below-average play was just a part of our whole offense that day. We just weren’t very good offensively last Sunday.”
Bridgewater is now in the concussion protocol, but he is progressing. Yesterday he was at team meetings and did some light weightlifting. The only thing left is practicing, even if it is limited,which might have him cleared to play on Sunday.
Let’s just say Bridgewater isn’t able to play on Sunday or is even the backup for cautionary reasons. Lock has been the Broncos’ starting quarterback for the past two years. His record is 8-10, passing for 4,066 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Lock has a strong arm and he can throw the football down the field.
The difference between Lock and Bridgewater is the way they see the receivers. Lock looks at one receiver instead of finding the open player even if it is a short gain. He is always going for the long pass. Pittsburgh’s secondary may have chances at knocking the passes down or interceptions. All a defender has to do is read his eyes and those can be picked off. Although Lock has the stronger arm, Bridgewater can still throw the ball downfield. He will not take that many risks throwing the ball to a covered receiver. He sees the field well and will take the check-downs if the longer route is covered. Those are short 5 to 10-yard passes but it helps Denver move the ball. Then again, Lock is receiving the first team reps in practice. That could help him have timing with his receivers this week.
It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is on Sunday if Denver abandons the running game. Denver ran the football a total of 17 times last week compared to 37 passes, not a balanced attack. In the 2nd half, Denver rushed the ball only 4 times. Denver was only down 10 for most of the 3rd and into the 4th quarter. All Baltimore had to do is play for the pass. The game plan this week needs to have more running plays. This will open up the passing game for the Broncos no matter who the quarterback is.
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