According to PFF, don’t blame Drew Lock for the Broncos bad showing

The Broncos quarterback was the least of the team's issues during Sunday's meltdown against the Raiders, according to the numbers

BY JAMES MERILATT

Dec 27, 2021, 12:08 PM

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The Broncos offense was terrible on Sunday. They scored just 13 points against the Raiders, seven of which came on a one-yard drive after Bradley Chubb intercepted Derek Carr late in the second quarter. They managed just eight first downs on the day, keeping the ball for less than 24 minutes in the game. It was ugly.

As a result, a lot of people in Broncos Country are throwing stones at Drew Lock. They’re once again making the young quarterback the fall guy for all that ails Denver’s offense.

That’s what normally happens. QBs get too much credit when things go well. They also get too much when they go poorly.

Anyone who watched the game, however, would know that Lock was the least of the Broncos problems. He was their best player on offense throughout the day. And it wasn’t close.

And there are numbers to back up this point. According to Pro Football Focus, Denver’s quarterback had a really good day.

PFF’s highest-graded QBs in Week 16

1. Josh Allen – 90.7
2. Joe Burrow – 89.9
3. Drew Lock – 88.5
4. Matt Ryan – 87.5
4. Tom Brady – 87.5
6. Aaron Rodgers – 84.7
7. Ryan Tannehill – 84.2
8. Dak Prescott – 83.0
9. Zach Wilson – 80.5
10. Patrick Mahomes – 80.1

— Jarad Evans (@PFF_Jarad) December 27, 2021

Josh Allen upset the Patriots in New England. Joe Burrow threw for 500-plus yards. And they were the only quarterbacks to play better than Lock on Sunday.

That may be a little lofty, but it makes the point. Lock wasn’t the Broncos problem against the Raiders.

Blame Pat Shumur. Blame receivers who run routes short of the sticks and drop passes. Blame an offensive line that couldn’t block anyone. Blame Javonte Williams (seven carries for 12 yards) and Melvin Gordon (seven carries for -4 yards). Blame a defense that couldn’t get Las Vegas off the field in the second half.

Lock was fine. In fact, he was pretty darn good.

His 88.5 grade was better than anything Teddy Bridgewater has done this season. In fact, it’s better than any game the veteran QB has had since 2014.

The Broncos offense continues to sputter, but don’t blame Drew Lock. He played well against the Raiders.