Hey boys! I felt like lock showed a little improvement today. One ugly interception and some ongoing accuracy issues. But one good catch from KJ and we might be having a different discussion.

After this game, how would you objectively review Drew’s season? I think he’s starting to progress from garbage to average. Hopefully that continues!

If he stays at where he is today, what’s the plan this off-season?

Side note: our defense is amazing and Vic gang up punting was the softest and dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.

This was an incredible effort by the Broncos and gives more reasons to be happy than sad. We’re desperate for a win against the Chiefs, but I think losing this game but keeping it close is almost the best-case scenario as we get to preserve a higher draft pick.

That said, as heartening as this was, this offense and particularly Drew Lock are holding the team back a lot. Drew’s frankly embarrassing stats and ratings for a QB (and the company he keeps like Mase points out) tell us plainly that Drew Lock has a long way to go to prove he can be our QB next season. You guys have said he needs to show more, do better each week and he’s generally not. Drew needs to take way more steps forward than he is. Not to mention, at this point it’s concerning the good we might see would still be a false positive.

Assuming Lock doesn’t string together 3, probably 4, mind-blowingly good performances to end the season, we NEED another option at QB, another guy in the building with the chance to be the guy next year or longer. It would be crippling for this team if we don’t take a QB first round or bring in a very good QB – we’re not talking Darnold or Wentz caliber. If we don’t do either one, I think that would probably be enough to move me from the “generally supporting Elway” camp I’ve been in for these bad 5 years over to the “fire Elway, he needs to go asap” camp. Finding a solid QB or languishing could be a decisive point in this decade as we face Mahomes and not something Elway can afford to get wrong.

hey guys!

i know the common opinion in the fanbase and media is that there’s no moral victories, but that absolutely was one imo. i know a lot of people are freaking out about the prospect of the raiders (who almost lost to the JETS), the chargers (got shutout by a team the broncos beat on the road) and the chiefs in the division, but this game goes to show that you can stay competitive by building a good team and the broncos aren’t too far away from doing that especially when they’re at full strength.

i remember klis tweeting a little while back that the broncos roster depth has definitely improved because 4 players they cut this season (hollins, bausby, davontae harris and jake rodgers) ended up making another teams’ 53 and i left that game feeling more optimistic about the direction the team is headed.

maintain some continuity on the coaching staff with hopefully a regular offseason, add a hedge at qb to compete with drew next season and draft some defensive impact players early on and this team might go places next year

Is this game an example of why this is Vic Fangio’s first HC job? I’m sure there are other factors. Sadly, I feel we’re going to be asking tough questions about Vic Fangio for the duration of his time in Denver.

Howdy Gents,
To start off, with the NBC/ DirecTV contract dispute, we could only watch the broadcast in Spanish here in Texas. That’s not my forte but provided quite a bit of lightheartedness and brevity to the game. Only picking out 1/3 of the words was pretty relaxing.

First lock pick was awful, he managed the game well throughout and up to that last pick. Glad to see Gordon get rolling. Jeudy was bracketed all night and seemed a step off and unable to separate.

Defensively the team played well overall. My issue came with open Tyreek Hill and Kelce on zones over the top. Especially in the second half I would’ve liked to see those guys get knocked off their routes at the line and play over the top/ underneath with them. I was getting frustrated watching the 8-12 yard route sit under the zone with two guys that are YAC monsters. Also no reason to let Bassey or Ojemudia single up outside on Hill with no safety over the top.

Thanks for the pod as always

I’ll take the moral victory, but would have loved a real one. Here’s my thoughts, let’s here yours…

1. Obvious, amazing work on the defense.
2. Shurmur when he calls a game bases on the run, gives us a chance, but tends to give up too easy
3. Fangio, is not a good game manager as a coach.
4. When we stick with the run, we are in the game. Every close game or win has this theme

We are close. Next year, this young talent will give us depth, as they got more experience than they would in most years. I would love a top 3 QB, but this team is likely to win another couple games. If we go QB in 1st, we are likely to have only Lance or Trask to choose from. And Trask is growing on me. He’s in SEC, faces real talent, pressure and top name defensive backs. He’s likely to be available at our pick. Thoughts? Lance is a project and plays with a clean pocket all the time. I don’t want another that can’t manage pressure.

I get the disappointment that Lock couldn’t pull through and get us a win, but don’t we need to just temper our expectations a bit? He hasn’t even played a full season yet, he has a new offensive coordinator, and he had basically no offseason. I think the key is do we see the flashes of greatness with the hope that his decision making will improve with another offseason building continuity with Schurmur, something Lock has basically never had with an OC. I just think we are expecting too much out of a really tough situation. As hard as it is, Broncos fans need to stay patient. Personally, I’d give Lock one more full season with Schurmur before making an ultimate judgement.

It is super depressing to see the standard for this team fall so far. They used to win superbowls in Denver. Now we celebrate scoring 16 points and losing as “victories.” Oh well. The sun rises, the sun sets, the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.

At least, based off of what we’ve seen so far, I’m confident with a little time and patience Drew Lock can one day develop into Mitchell Trubisky.

Guys I had this long typed out novel after last nights game but I’m going to try and keep it short. 60% completions and 0 int is not setting the bar super low for Drew Lock. That would statistically be one of his best games this year. I want Drew to work out so bad, but I need to see better decision making. That being said I am not jumping off the Drew Lock train yet, but I am starting to unbuckle my seat belt and gathering my belongings.

Why i why can’t Shat Purmur unlock Jeudy and Fant ?

Also my pizza bet with RK is still alive. I can’t believe I’m rooting for the pats

Love
The Count

We are one good quarterback away from being able to beat the Chiefs. We kept the game close with a strong defensive performance. We were able to move the ball and keep drives going. With the time left at the end, a good quarterback wins the game, but we don’t have one.

This off season, the Broncos should make the big move to get another quarterback in the draft. We seem to have the offensive line figured out. We have a solid defense. We have the weapons on offense.

Maybe Lock improves, but I don’t think you can trust to that at this point.

Hey guys! Can I just say, I really enjoyed watching Tyreek Hill get embarrassed twice in that game. I have no love lost for that man, and the type of person he is.

Tough loss, but overall not a bad game. One thing I will say is I feel like Jerry Jeudy doesn’t like playing for this team. I honestly don’t blame him.. One of the best receivers to come out of the draft in years and he has a whoping 1 reception for 5 yards in the game.. How are we not getting him the ball more? Who is to blame for this?

My guys!

The Broncos played a lot better than I anticipated and I was super excited that it was a tight and entertaining game. My biggest complaint was that Drew Lock had an average game, which may be the worst possible thing he could do in these last 5 games. This season’s entire goal is to figure out whether or not Drew can be “The Guy” but I’m not sure if that’s possible at this point. In these next 4 games, can he play well enough that you’d feel confident in him moving forward? Can he play poorly enough that the front office will move on? If neither of those things come true, this season was a failure, and I’m nervous that’s exactly where were heading.

We put a little clench in Chiefs fans’ buttholes and, after the last 5 years, that’s all you can really ask for. Proud of this team, glad to see Ojemudia and Hamler out there being used. My question: why can nobody tackle Kelce on first contact? Sure he’s big but there’s plenty of big people in the league. It makes me so mad ?

When it comes down to it I feel better about Drew now vs before that game. I can’t help but continue to think how good a full offseason with continuity could help him because his issues seem to be very fixable things from practice reps over and over again in the offseason.

Drew also might be a guy that excels with fans in the stands more than the average QB. He definitely feeds off of their energy and I don’t think that can be discounted in his assessment.

Yes RK you’re on for the mavs v nugs pizza bet

I think going for two after the second TD was a worse decision by the coaching staff than punting the ball on 4th and 3 late in the game and this is why.

If the Broncos kick the extra point they go up by 5 and force the Chiefs to go for two later on. With how well the Broncos redzone defense was playing I felt it was wrong to put that burden on Drew and the offense. If the Chiefs then don’t convert on their own 2 point conversion I feel like this makes it a lot easier for the coaches to look at the 4th and 3 situation and feel good about going for it if a field goal takes the lead and possibly wins the game. What ultimately happened was the Broncos made decisions they should have forced the Chiefs to make. All in all it just seems like the coaches situational awareness is just plain bad. We’ve seen it all season. Who does Vic talk to during these times and do you think this is something he can get better at or is this just who he is?

Morning boys,

I have to say that first offensive drive was a microcosm of Drew as a QB. Great quick play to Fant to get Drew going and settle him down. Then… instead of settling in he throws a pick. He can’t keep admitting he knows what mistakes he is making without fixing them anymore. It seems like Mase may be right when he says “this may just be who Drew Lock is”. Jay Cutler showed flashes too and I’m being reminded of Cutler very much now at this stage. I just don’t know at this point fellas. Maybe a full off season in the same system is the answer. He’s never had that so it’s hard for me to condemn him until he gets that shot but I just don’t know.

-LCB

Biggest off-season need is someone who can stop Kelce. Since we should spend our cap on Simmons I’m thinking it should be in the first round. I think it could make this defence even more dangerous. As of right now we have the 10th pick, i still think Lock deserves next year. Is there another position you think we should target in the first round? Thanks!

MY BOYS! I don’t know what many fans are so upset this morning. This beat up team traveled to Kansas City and went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs. The Broncos did what most teams can’t do in shutting down the Chiefs’ offense in the red zone on multiple occasions. I am sure that Vic Fangio would like to change his decision to punt in the fourth quarter. I was expecting the Broncos to lose badly last night. They battled until the very end and played the Chiefs better than any team this season outside of the Raiders’ shocking upset at Arrowhead Stadium earlier this year. The Broncos allowed zero sacks last night. Garett Bolles and Demar Dotson were both excellent. There was some interior pressure, but the offensive line did enough for Denver to win last night. The special teams even showed up. Moral victories are hollow, but this team needs a full offseason of work and some continuity for a change. That being said, it would cost a lot, but I am very intrigued by what Matthew Stafford, if made available, would do with the likes of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant, Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler, and Albert Okwuegbunam. How good is this team with a competent to very good quarterback and a masterful defensive mind for the other side of the ball? Have a magical Monday. DNVRMY SALUTE!

I apologize if this is a comment that gets talked about but as the season has faded I find myself only listening a couple times a week as my hope has faded as well. Can someone explain to me why Jerry Jeudy disappears for weeks at a time? Is it Shurmur? Is it Lock? Is it the routes he runs take too long? If I remember back to April he was the number one wide receiver on everyone’s board but he just disappears for long periods of time. Is this a concern for him or is it just because of this offense?

Boy Howdy, do I have some questions for you gents. 1 and 2 are my biggest priority for an answer, and if they already get touched on before this comment then you are free to skip this.
1. Can you explain to me how Denver gets a flag for illegal motion, or whatever it was, and yet the Chiefs run that misdirection with Mahomes and that doesn’t? I don’t understand the rules enough there.
2. Should Tyreek Hill have been flagged for standing on the goal line and flipping into the endzone? I can’t stand that guy. To a point where broadcasters should announce he’s an abusive sack of crap every game. Maybe too extreme, but that’s just me.
3. For Mr. B.
4. Could Jeudy have caught that ball on the sideline? The TV angle made it hard to tell, and it looked like he didn’t even try for the ball.
5. Why is Phil being sent up the middle on EVERY run?!?!
6. Would Stafford make this team a Superbowl contender?
Thanks for all you do!

Hey boys,
All I want to say is sign Shelby as a wide receiver with that 4.2 speed running down hill it was hilarious.

Happy Moral Victory Monday guys! In all seriousness, I’m very proud of the way this team played last night, particularly the defense and the running game. It’s not a win, but it goes a long way in instilling some confidence that we’re not the “bottom feeders” of the league like NYJ and WAS and have he pieces to hang with the best. John Elway has built this roster to be the anti-Chiefs and even with many core pieces missing we were in it to the end.

I think this game was equally as illuminating as far as the evaluation of Drew Lock. I understand all in all it was one of his better performances but at the end of the day, the defense put him in as good of a position as you could ask when playing the chiefs, he had a great running game, Shurmur for the most part called a game that played to his strengths, but he just didn’t do enough in this game or to move the big picture needle on him.

Time and time again he continues to stare down receivers, throw fade away passes, and put the ball in harms way when he gets out of the pocket. I understand his big play potential and talent but he has not made the routine plays consistently enough and hasn’t showed much growth in the areas where he needs to improve. I don’t see us landing a pick high enough to land a top quarterback in this draft unless we trade up into the top 10 (which I doubt Elway would do), so I can see a scenario where we ride with Lock for another year. Will another year of Lock be detrimental to the development of Jeudy, Sutton, Hamler, Okwuegbunam, and Fant if Lock doesn’t dramatically improve next year? Even if we had average/mediocre QB play we’d be a competitive team likely in the wildcard conversation, but alas here we are.

Thrilled we kept the game close. Hats off to our D that kept KC to 22 pts. Despite missing several stars. This D is excellent.

Nice job establishing the run in the first half. Wish we kept it up in the second half. Gordon looked great. Lindsay looked hurt. Lock on the other hand… missed so bad on deep passes looked only OK on short passes. Still not reading D great. Sigh. My confidence in him got lower this game. Even with a strong run game we can only score 16 pts. Hope I’m wrong and he steps it up for the last few games, but I’m thinking another year another QB for the Broncos next year.

If we do go for another QB do you think Den will go free agent Vet or Rookie?

At least it was a game we were in from start to finish for once against KC. No moral victories but it was fun and entertaining. A few thoughts.

KC loaded the box every time they saw Phil was in the game. So predictable what we are doing with him. How can professional offensive coaches not see this!?! Shurmur made some decent calls but just so many wasted downs with that guy.

Drew’s accuracy is a BIG issue. He can and will learn to read the defense better and learn to fix mistakes with experience. But usually accuracy is what it is. He HAS to hit KJ in stride on that 3rd and 3. Sorry but That was not a drop. He was fully outstretched and it hit fingers not hands. You hit him in stride across the middle with his speed and that could turn into 6. At minimum he was getting us into field goal range to tie with his speed. These are plays a pro QB has to make – rookie or 10 year vet. Drew is off target too often for us to sustain drives long enough to score the points needed to win. Maybe better anticipation will help as he gets experience so he is throwing more on time but I’m not sure.

A common topic on the Pod is “how can we build a team to compete with the Chiefs?” The answer is Vic Fangio. With only one starter on the D-line and without his number one corner he put this defense in a position to win.
I understand the frustration with Fangio’s situational awareness and clock management. But, after watching Sunday’s game keeping Fangio gives the Broncos the best chance for success. All we need is solid quarterback play. I’m pulling for Drew but, he’s running out of time…

In each of his past two starts, Drew Lock has been top 10 in QBR and in EPA per play. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

After sleeping on it. The team gave me hope with a better game plan but we are still being held back by Drew Lock. He is the common denominator in my opinion. Time to search for a better option.