Stokley: If Siemian can’t go for Broncos vs. Titans ‘got to go’ with Davis

With the Baltimore Ravens win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Denver Broncos jumped back into the playoff picture in the second wild card slot.

On Denver’s end, the team went into Jacksonville with rookie Paxton Lynch starting at quarterback in relief of an injured Trevor Siemian and squeaked out an ugly 20-10 win over the Jaguars — the first in a string the Broncos will need to ensure a postseason bid.

But with the margin of error so slim, and Lynch struggling against Jacksonville, Brandon Stokley of 104.3 The Fan’s “C.J. and Stokley,” said veteran backup Austin Davis should start against Tennessee this weekend should Siemian not be ready with his sprained foot.

“I think the biggest take-away from that game is Paxton Lynch isn’t ready. That’s the bottom line. He is not ready. He wasn’t ready against Atlanta. I was hoping to see him improve a little bit. He’s not ready,” Stokley said. “And so hopefully Trevor Siemian can go. If not, you’ve got to go with Austin Davis. That’s the bottom line.”

In his second career start Sunday against the Jaguars, Lynch went just 12-of-24 for 104 yards and no touchdowns nor picks.

On Monday, head coach Gary Kubiak said of Lynch’s struggles Sunday that he is guy who’s still learning and just completed his second start.

“He’s still a young, raw player. There’s some opportunities in the game where he has to give us a better chance with the ball. It’s really just making those plays,” Kubiak said.

But “C.J. and Stokley” co-host Charles Johnson said right now’s not the time to develop Lynch, but instead it’s about playing the quarterback who gives you the best opportunity to win.

Young quarterbacks, the ones that are expected do much, they come into the league on bad teams. And so, to lose 12 games his rookie year as you develop him and hope that things get better isn’t a bad investment in his playing time,” Johnson said. “You don’t have that luxury here in Denver.”

“That’s why we’re talking about Paxton Lynch this upcoming Sunday against Tennessee and whether or not he’s the best option to win the football game. Because the objective isn’t to develop Paxton Lynch. It’s to win a football game.”

Davis, in three NFL seasons before 2016, has played in 13 games with 10 starts. In those games, he has a record 3-7 while throwing for an average of 196 yards per game and 13 career touchdowns.

On the flip side, Lynch, through three games (two starts) has a 1-1 record, two touchdown passes, one interception and an average of 165.7 yards per game.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.