Mile High Monday: The Broncos were embarrassed yet again

The Broncos were flat out embarrassed (again) this season. They played on Saturday against the Bills and things did not go well. Instead of keeping things close and showing improvement after their win over the Panthers in Week 14, the Broncos showed they don’t belong on the same field as the NFL’s best losing to the Bills by a score of 48-19.

I like when the Broncos can put up a fight. I realize that things aren’t going to be perfect for this team as they build towards the future, but I at least don’t want to see them humiliated during the process. The Bills took no prisoners and did not let up on the obvious inferior team.

I also like contemplating life and sports when driving around with the top down on my old Jeep TJ! The following is a result of those trips during the week.

Buckle up, let’s take a ride through my thoughts.

***

Broncos Bakery

There is no doubt that we’re going to see a turnover from Drew Lock when the Broncos play. In every game this year except for Week 1 against the Titans, Lock has had either a fumble or an interception – or both. It’s like a “Broncos Bakery” every time Lock is in the lineup as he can stop making turnovers.

There is great debate about whether or not Lock can be the franchise quarterback the Broncos have been searching for since Peyton Manning retired. The believes say that he just needs time and fans need to be more patient with the young quarterback. The doubters say that they’ve seen enough in 16 starts over two years and Lock is not the guy.

The debate will rage on for at least two more games this season – games where Lock could look good against bad Chargers and Raiders defenses.

In order to play up to his potential, Lock needs to stop turning the ball over. He must show more maturity when it comes to ball security and it should be the top priority for the young passer to finish off the 2020 season. Yes, he fumbled the ball because Phillip Lindsay missed another assignment in pass protection, but the simple truth is that Lock must still know when he’s holding onto the ball too long then bad things are swirling around him.

I just want one game without a Drew Lock turnover. Sigh. #Broncos @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 19, 2020

***

Personal Motivation

I believe that Bills quarterback Josh Allen saw this game against the Broncos as a way to further show how the team messed up not selecting him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. After the game, when asked about the Broncos draft snub Allen simply put “I’m where I belong.” That’s a way of saying, yes this was a message sent to the team.

Back in 2018, no team had a better look at Allen than the Broncos. They were coaching Allen during the week of practice for the Senior Bowl and spent a lot of time with the young quarterback. During that week, I think they fell in love with Baker Mayfield instead. Mayfield was on their team and did look better than Allen during that week. The rumblings were out there that they loved Sam Darnold as well, and Allen wasn’t as high on their draft board as those two.

As a star player at the University of Wyoming, Allen was basically in the team’s backyard for years before he entered the league. It was no mystery in the scouting community that Allen was going to be a first-round pick. The Broncos had years to take a look at him and did just that. He must have seemed to be too raw for the team to take a chance on.

Some will say the selection of Paxton Lynch in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft kept them away from Allen, but I think that’s folly. Entering 2018, it was clear that Lynch was not the guy. We’ve seen teams like the Cardinals move on from a first-round quarterback (Josh Rosen) after only one season to find an upgrade (Kyler Murray). It’s a weak argument to say Denver wanted to give Lynch one more year to prove himself. Those that know what was going on behind the scenes know how quickly Lynch fell out of favor.
The Broncos passed on a potential MVP quarterback and he won’t let them forget that anytime they play against each other.

No doubt this game is personal for Josh Allen. After earlier TD it looked like he pointed up at Elway in the box. #Broncos passed on him at 5, and he won't forget that. Denver loved Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold that year. They liked Allen and decided to go BChubb @1043TheFan

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 19, 2020

***

Crunch Time

On Sunday, most of the games in Week 15 of the NFL were played. There were wild twists and turns during those contests and in the world of fantasy football it was a wild ride. Fantasy GMs were on the edges of their seats on Sunday as the games unfolded as this is the second week of the fantasy playoffs.

That means if you won this week, you get to move on in Week 16 and the fantasy championships. This season has been more unusual than ever, and I’m surprised we got to this point without major disruptions to the schedule due to COVID-19. Fantasy GMs have had to deal with major complications this week due to the pandemic, so getting to this point in your fantasy league seems more satisfying than ever before.

After a season of ups and downs, it’s time to tip your cap to those who made it this far. Even if you lost this week, you need to reach out to those who made it and congratulate them. As we prepare to crown fantasy league champions across the country, I always like to remind people who win money in their league to share some of that love.

Especially during this pandemic, take some of your winnings from your fantasy league and leave a larger tip as you get takeout from your favorite local restaurant. Donate some of your winnings to charity this year, use some of that extra cash to help spread joy to someone or a cause that needs your help.

did you make it to your championship? #FantasyFootball https://t.co/5rCniePoy0

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 21, 2020

***

Great Shirt, Great Cause

I am a huge advocate for suicide prevention. It’s one of the causes that is most near and dear to my heart. Any one of us who have had their lives impacted by the loss of a loved one due to suicide knows the reasons why.

That’s why when I had a chance to get a limited-edition t-shirt for a TV show I’m super excited for and all the proceeds would go to charity I jumped at the chance. About a month ago, I purchased an exclusive “Darkseid” t-shirt for the upcoming show “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” on HBO Max. The t-shirt was being released in support of Snyder’s show, but also to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention. All money from the purchases of the shirt went to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Snyder has his own tragic story of dealing with the suicide of a loved one, and that’s why he supported the development of this shirt. During this holiday season, it’s a happy time for many of us, but we also must remember that it’s also a stressful and unhappy time for some. Reaching out to someone in need, just being there to listen to someone and sending messages of love and support can go a long way to someone battling depression.

Loving my new Darkseid t-shirt from @inktothepeople great shirt supporting a great cause! @afspnational #SnyderCut pic.twitter.com/z7BXY2otbt

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) December 21, 2020

What are some of your favorite causes to support, not only this holiday season but all year round? Hit me up on social media and let me know!

Related

Former Nuggets guard arrested in Castle Rock for alleged shopliftingDover and Cecil project a monster year for Bo Nix in 2026Rockies drawing trade interest on multiple players ahead of deadlineBroncos No. 31 in the NFL in ESPN’s under-25 Power RankingsThere’s one thing standing between the Broncos and a Super BowlBroncos Country should be careful when wishing for more downfield passes