The Denver Broncos are better than everyone thinks they are. They have some quality wins over teams like the Houston Texans some close losses to other playoff contenders. The resilient Broncos will have another chance to prove themselves when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 action. Rookie quarterback Drew Lock is the key to a Broncos victory and is primed for a third straight big performance.
Considering how good the Chiefs are, it's surprising how bad their defense has been so far. They allow 364 yards per game, good for 20th in the league. Lock has shown the ability to effectively attack defenses through the air in his two starts, and that won't change when he faces the Chiefs. Starting Kansas City cornerback Morris Claiborne hasn't practiced all week long, and neither has star defensive end Frank Clark.
It's possible that Clark plays after not practicing at all, but even if both defenders suit up, Lock still has the upper hand. He's shown an uncanny ability to stick to the game plan and not make too many boneheaded mistakes, unlike most rookies. As long as he stays composed in Arrowhead Stadium, he'll be just fine.
Another reason Lock will have a big day is his supporting cast. The Broncos' offensive line has performed noticeably better in recent weeks, giving Lock a decent pocket almost every snap. The running game has been Denver's strength for most of the season, and there's no reason that should stop now. Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman have proven themselves to be a strong backfield duo that can take the pressure off of their quarterback.
The wide receiver group seemed a little suspect after Emmanuel Sanders was dished to the San Francisco 49ers, but a few young names have really stepped up. Courtland Sutton has had a breakout sophomore season, tallying over 900 yards. Rookie tight end Noah Fant has developed a great rapport with Lock, posting career numbers in week 14. There's certainly no lack of a supporting cast for Lock in his third start ever.
All this talk of supporting cast and I haven't mentioned Denver's defense. It's hard to put much stock into a defense that has to face the Chiefs, but head coach Vic Fangio's unit has been terrific. If they can make life tough on Patrick Mahomes all night and help keep things close, Lock has a real shot to quarterback a huge upset.
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