Ask Aric: What is the Broncos' outlook after a win vs. the Jets?

[Miles]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —The Broncos are finally in the win column.


With a 37-28 victory over the Jets on Thursday, the Broncos improved to 1-3 and now have 10 days to rest and prepare for a game in New England.


On a rare Sunday without a Broncos game, I answer questions on how the win changes expectations for the Broncos, when Drew Lock could return and why Brett Rypien could show improvement if he starts in Week 5.


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With a long list of injuries and a relatively young team that isn't locked into a solid system, what is the Broncos best option going forward? This win is reassuring, but we face a tough division and a hard SoS... Is having a losing record, getting good draft picks, and looking to rebuild in the off season our best bet? — Jacob Z.


Jacob, I know this Broncos' team is just 1-3, but the win over the Jets keeps them alive in their hunt for the playoffs. Over the next two weeks, the Broncos will travel to New England to face a Patriots team that may be without Cam Newton, who was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and then return home to face a 1-3 Dolphins team. There's no guarantee that the Broncos will win either of those games, but if they are able to secure victories, they would be back at 3-3 after falling into a 0-3 hole to start the season. Even if the Broncos split those two games, they won't be totally out of the race at 2-4. The Titans rebounded from that record last year to make the AFC Championship Game, and the race for the final AFC playoff spot appears to be wide open. Depending on who wins the AFC East, New England or Buffalo appear to be in good shape early to both make the playoffs, one via the AFC East title and one via a wild-card spot. The same goes for Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the AFC North. The rest of the AFC, though, is relatively muddled. Any team that is around .500 late in the season is going to have a chance to sneak into that last wild-card spot.


And while people are concerned about the Broncos' injuries, some of the players on injured reserve will be back. A.J. Bouye, Dre'Mont Jones, DeMarcus Walker and Mark Barron are among the players who could return off IR to help the defense, and Drew Lock and Phillip Lindsay seemed poised to return in the near future. Even Von Miller could return late in the year, depending on his rehab. Noah Fant and KJ Hamler are "iffy" for Week 5, but they'll be back, too.


I understand that natural inclination to look forward, but let's see how these next few weeks go before writing off the 2020 edition of this team.


Do you think there will be a quarterback competition when Drew Lock is available to start again? — John T.


John, while Brett Rypien showed moments of promise against the Jets and will start against the Patriots if Lock is unable, Lock is the team's unquestioned starter. He's earned that role after the way he played to end last season and the limited action we've seen him in this year. Head Coach Vic Fangio said Friday that he would only start Lock if he's healthy, but we'll see him out there when that's the case.