- Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are deadlocked in the Broncos’ quarterback battle
- Both players were solid in the opening preseason win over Minnesota
- Denver is a longshot to win the Super Bowl, AFC Championship or the AFC West
While the quarterback battles between Justin Fields and Andy Dalton in Chicago and Jameis Winston and Tyson is on the front burner in Chicago, the competition between Broncos quarterbacks Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater have taken a backseat, but it is starting to perk on more of a national platform.
This one seems to be the epitome of a deadlock as the online sportsbooks have both quarterbacks at a (+145) to start the season as neither differentiated in Saturday’s 33-6 rout of the Vikings in Minneapolis.
Sell the Broncos
The sportsbooks’ rendering of the Denver Broncos with (+2800) odds to win Super Bowl LVI post them as one of the biggest long shots on the board which means that Vegas is not buying either a mistake-prone Lock or an so-so Bridgewater to differentiate or have a banner season.
The number has also been spotted as high as (+4500) in some sportsbooks. The Broncos have the 11th best odds to win the AFC as they set at (+900).
There is little of a line to be drawn on whether Denver makes the playoffs as the No (-190) is resounding as opposed to the affirmative (+156).
The reason for the 8.5 could be the fact the Denver’s strength of schedule is tied for 27th in the NFL as their opponents are 127-140-2 (.471).
Lock-ed In:
Lock threw 15 interceptions last season with his 16 touchdown passes while passing for 2,933 yards. He only completed only 57.3 percent of his passes and was sacked 19 times while losing four fumbles.
Overall, Lock has 23 career touchdown passes against 18 interceptions. Lock is looking for a clean slate as he hoped to get a fresh start with Denver this season as he showed in the opening preseason win over Minnesota.
The former Missouri Tiger completed 5-of-7 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver K.J. Hamler.
Lock had the luxury of playing with the Broncos’ first teamers which hit Hamler in stride on about the Vikings 30-yard line as his speed slowed him to outrun the defender.
He also conducted a 10-play, 85-yard touchdown drive that ended in a four-yard TD toss to tight end Trinity Brinson. He hit starting wide receiver Jerry Jeudy on a 33-yard pass to set up that score. His consensus rating for Fantasy Football is at No. 33 as of today.
Bridging the Gap
The Broncos are Bridgewater’s fourth team in the last five years as he spent last season in Carolina where he was completed 69.1 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and 11 picks.
Bridgewater has gotten the reputation of the consummate game manager as he isn’t a big risk-taker and the psychology of that idea can cost you late in the game when you need a score.
Of course that is the antithesis of Lock, who sometimes takes unnecessary risks. Saturday afternoon, Bridgwater completed 7-of-8 passes for 74 yards and a score. He had a 7-play, 40-yard drive in the fourth quarter that resulted in another TD pass to Brinson.
The Skinny
It feels like Drew Lock will take the first snap from center (+100) while Bridgewater (+120) will come off the bench at least momentarily.
Expect Broncos coach Vic Fangio to have a quick hook if Lock struggles because many consider his job security may be linked to making the right decision on a pick between the two players and how he and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur gauge quarterback changes and potential benching.
Keep in mind, Fangio is a defensive coach and the input from his offensive staff on this will be extra important as he oversees the entire Broncos’ football operation.
According to BETUS.com, the Broncos are favored over the Giants (-1) in that week one meeting and they the O/U is at 42.5 with (-110) vs. both the OVER and the UNDER.
