HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 8: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the second half of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Broncos defeated the Texans 38-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
With a 2-0 record as the starter, Drew Lock looks like the answer to the Denver Broncos’ quarterback prayers.
If not for a preseason thumb injury, rookie quarterback Drew Lock would have made his first NFL start for the Denver Broncos far sooner than Week 13. The team went 3-8 with Joe Flacco and Brandon Allen starting, and with the help of a pass interference call the Broncos won Lock’s first start against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The most surprising result from Sunday’s early games came from Houston, as the Broncos beat the AFC South-leading Texans 38-24. The game was in no doubt from the start, as Denver led 21-0 early, 31-3 at halftime and 38-3 in the third quarter before the Texans scored the final 21 points of the game in extended garbage time.
Lock went 22-for-27 for 309 yards with three touchdowns and an interception on Sunday. He became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in his first career road start, and he’s the third rookie quarterback in Broncos’ history (John Elway and Tim Tebow) to throw for 300 yards in a game. Lock has multiple passing touchdowns in both of his starts, as the Broncos have obviously won both games to move to 5-8 on the season.
Winning games at this point in the season will only serve to hurt the placement of the Broncos’ first-round pick next April. But in the bigger picture, with the misses general manager Elway has had in quarterback evaluation (via the draft and free agency), seeing what Lock has from here on out is a priority. The fact he has delivered through two starts, with two marks in the win column, is a very positive development for the franchise.
Two games are not enough to fully anoint Lock as the next Elway for the Broncos. But unlike what came before him over the last few years, the rookie out of Missouri has provided some spark and brought hope for the future.