Miles
Well-known member
- Mar 18, 2019
- 2,455
- 0
The Lead
Before we completely move on to the upcoming game against the Bills, let's take another moment to enjoy Drew Lock's big day against the Panthers.
It wasn't just that the numbers themselves were impressive — though they were, with 280 yards, four touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 149.5 passer rating — but also in how he went about achieving those marks with a methodical style.
"t was the way he did it — taking the high-percentage throws early and challenging the Panthers deep once they adjusted with their safeties — that was exactly what he needed as he tries to close out December strong to give the Broncos a little better feeling about him moving into 2021," Jeff Legwold wrote for ESPN. It helped that the Broncos had a good day running the ball and kept Lock in plenty of play-action situations."
In taking a closer look at Lock's performance, The Denver Post's Ryan O'Halloran wrote that Lock's short passes in particular as a reason for success.
"On passes that didn't travel past the line of scrimmage, Lock was 10-of-11 for 77 yards," O'Halloran wrote. "The screen game is finally making an appearance for the Broncos. Running back Melvin Gordon had a 20-yard gain and tight end Troy Fumagalli a 29-yard gain on screens."
O'Halloran went on to note that one play after Gordon's screen, Lock found KJ Hamler for a 49-yard touchdown, meaning that perhaps the short throws may have primed Carolina's defense for deep shots downfield.
"Lock was 3-of-3 for 118 yards and two touchdowns on attempts that traveled at least 16 'air' yards," he wrote.
More big plays like those could be on the way, but it likely won't be easy against the Bills on Saturday.
Buffalo's defense does not appear to be as formidable as it has been in the previous two years, when it allowed the second- and third-fewest yards in back-to-back seasons; this year, it's on pace to be 20th in that category. Still, the Bills have managed to avoid allowing tons of big plays. Buffalo is tied for 21st in pass plays of at least 20 yards allowed. The Panthers, meanwhile, are tied for sixth most.
But if the Broncos can utilize a similarly unpredictable mix of short, intermediate and deep throws with a solid rushing attack, Denver could upset the Bills, who have emerged as an AFC contender.