Perhaps the better question: Where does Drew Lock go from here?
Over the course of a 16-game season, you look for trends to develop.
As a fan or someone betting on the Denver Broncos, that gives you an indication of the team on the field.
The last four games, in a word, have not been good for Denver (3-6). Even that feels like an understatement.
In two of those games, the Broncos were embarrassed by division rivals.
In the other two, Denver had fourth quarter rallies that resulted in one miracle win and a defeat.
Up next is the surprise team of the NFL in 2020, the Miami Dolphins (6-3).
Can the Broncos get back in the win column with the Sunday home game?
The various sportsbooks in Colorado don’t think so.
Broncos vs Dolphins odds
To the surprise of no one, Denver is the home dog.
As for those who do NFL betting, another trend has developed … and not a good one.
Earlier in the season, the Broncos were great against the spread.
However, after that strong start, they’re now 5-4 when it comes to covering.
Point spread betting might be the lone way to wager on Denver for the remainder of the season. After Sunday’s game against Miami, the Broncos will likely be the underdog in the last six games.
How the Broncos pull off the upset
For Denver to get the win on Sunday, Lock and the offense must lead the way.
That’s been a challenge the last four weeks, minus those fourth-quarter comeback attempts.
Aside from that, the offense has been non-existent.
Lock hasn’t been good over that stretch either.
In fact, he’s regressed.
Now Lock and the Broncos face Brian Flores and his Dolphins defense.
Miami is tied for fourth in defensive takeaways (15) and fifth scoring defense (20.2 points per game) in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Denver is last in the NFL in giveaways (21) and struggles to score points when it’s not the fourth quarter.
If you thought Lock and Denver struggled against the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders the last two weeks, Sunday could pale in comparison.
So what can offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and the Broncos do?
Keep it simple on offense
That means:
- Run the football
- Don’t turn the ball over
- Simple reads, simple routes
- Uptempo on offense
Regardless of what you think allowed for Denver to move the ball in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers and Falcons, do that.
The offense must help out its defense.
The special teams will continue to put the Broncos in negative situations.
At the very least, the offense can at least look competent.
Feed Phil
"Keep fighting, man. Keep fighting."@I_CU_Boy was on the 🎤 for #DENvsLV pic.twitter.com/OPLEghteq2
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 17, 2020
That also means giving Phillip Lindsay more than four carries.
That’s the amount of touches the heart and soul of Denver’s offense got against the Raiders last Sunday.
That must change.
In the words of Broncos Country, #FeedPhil.
While all of that still may not be enough, it’s a good place to start.
That’s even more true for a team trying to find its way with a season on the brink.
