Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs 23-3 Sunday afternoon, and All-Pro linebacker Von Miller left Arrowhead Stadium feeling defeated in a broader sense. 

The Broncos dropped to 5-9 after the latest loss. Miller aired his frustrations to reporters, citing his age and desire to "bring whatever we had in the past back":

The 30-year-old earned Super Bowl MVP honors when Denver captured Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers to cap off the 2015 NFL season. 

The Broncos have not made the postseason since and will finish under .500 for the third straight season. 

"We've tried everything on and off the field," Miller added during his postgame press conference. "All different coaches, all different players. ... I'm lost for words." 

The seven-time Pro Bowler also lauded rookie second-round quarterback Drew Lock, who threw for 208 yards and an interception on 18-of-40 passing against the Chiefs, as the team's "future." 

"We found our quarterback," he said. "We got a great quarterback. Everybody else has to come up." 

The fact that Lock has looked promising through his first three NFL starts is a big step for the Broncos, as the franchise has started seven different quarterbacks since Peyton Manning's retirement following Super Bowl 50. The Missouri product is the third starter this season. 

As for Miller's individual performance, 2019 has been a down year. The 2011 second overall pick leads the team in quarterback hits (14) and is tied with Derek Wolfe for the team lead in sacks (seven) after sacking Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes once Sunday.

However, the Texas A&M product is on pace to finish the season without double-digit sacks for the first time since an injury-plagued 2013 season.

Denver still has a chance to finish this year strong with 3-10-1 Detroit and 6-8 Oakland left on the schedule, but it won't matter unless something positive carries over into next season.

Drew Lock is quickly making friends in Denver. 

The rookie second-round Denver Broncos quarterback led the team to a 38-24 upset over the Houston Texans on Sunday in his second career NFL start. 

"He's a f--king rock star," Broncos All-Pro linebacker Von Miller said of Lock's second career NFL start.

Lock tossed three first-half touchdowns against the Texans:

The 2019 42nd overall pick looked right at home, finding 10 different receivers and establishing a Buzz Lightyear celebration:

The 23-year-old finished with 309 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 22-of-27 passing. Since becoming the starter last week, Lock has tossed for 443 yards, five touchdowns and two picks. The Broncos have won both games.

Lock took over under center for Brandon Allen, who had started three games and also received high praise from Miller. Allen was named the quarterback after Joe Flacco was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a neck injury.

Lock was activated off of injured reserve, where he had been since suffering a thumb injury in the preseason, and given the starting job for the remainder of this season. 

The Broncos will hope Miller's assessment of Lock has more longevity than his of Allen.

It was just one start.

That was the sentiment from Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio about rookie second-round quarterback Drew Lock's NFL debut Sunday, which resulted in Denver defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 23-20.

"I think there's promise there," Fangio told reporters. "Not ready put him in Canton yet."

Lock finished the game with 134 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 18-of-28 passing.

Both of Lock's touchdowns came in the first quarter and on passes to Courtland Sutton.

The 23-year-old's first career touchdown pass caused his parents, present in the crowd at Mile High, to celebrate as if their son had been voted into Canton:

Lock was then intercepted for the first time with 11:30 left in regulation and the Broncos tied with the Chargers at 17. He was bailed out by Michael Badgley's missed 55-yard field goal on L.A.'s ensuing drive.

Lock was activated off injured reserve on Saturday. He had been on IR since the beginning of the regular season with a thumb injury suffered during the preseason on Aug. 19.

The Broncos' decision to activate and start Lock came after backup Brandon Allen's poor performance last week against the Buffalo Bills. Allen went just 10-of-25 for 82 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Denver lost 20-3.

Allen had been starting since Nov. 3 in Joe Flacco's place, who had been placed on season-ending IR on Nov. 1 with a neck injury.

"They basically have gone through several other quarterbacks this week," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport explained Sunday morning. "Obvious [that] Joe Flacco not gonna be back in Denver next season. They need to know what they have in Drew Lock. They love his arm talent, love a lot of things about him, but they're not gonna know fully until he goes out there and plays."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the starting quarterback job is "expected" to be Lock's for the remainder of the season for the 4-8 Broncos.

Denver next plays the Houston Texans next Sunday afternoon. Fangio confirmed that Lock will start in Houston.

Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe suffered a dislocated elbow during Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 ABC.  

His arm was in a sling after the game, and he plans to get an MRI on the injury.

Head coach Vic Fangio said he was "not optimistic about the extent of it," per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.

Wolfe picked up the injury late in the fourth quarter on a play that was blown dead due to a false start. He wasn't on the field as the Chargers drove down the field for the game-tying field goal.

Fortunately for the Broncos, they were able to earn the victory thanks to a late defensive pass interference call against Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward that set up Brandon McManus' game-winning field goal. 

Prior to the injury, Wolfe had been one of the top players of the game for Denver, totaling two sacks and three quarterback hits to go with his five tackles. The performance gave him seven sacks for the year, a career high over eight seasons in the NFL.

The 29-year-old has started all 108 games he has played in his career, but injuries have limited him in the past and could be an issue once again. With Bradley Chubb already out for the season and Von Miller dealing with a knee injury, this could be another tough blow for the Broncos pass rush.

Rookie Dre'Mont Jones could be in line for a bigger role if Wolfe is forced to miss more time.

Rookie quarterback Drew Lock will get his first NFL start against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

On Wednesday, Denver Broncos general manager and president of football operations John Elway told KOA (h/t Andrew Mason of DNVR) that Lock and Brandon Allen would split practice reps. Troy Renck of Denver7 reported Lock's practice reps increased Wednesday and that it was "his job to lose."

The 3-8 Broncos are playing out the string under first-year head coach Vic Fangio. The defense ranks a respectable 12th in Football Outsiders' defense-adjusted value over average, but the offense is 26th.

A struggling passing game has hindered the Broncos: Per Pro Football Reference, Denver ranks just 25th in net yards per pass attempt and last with nine passing touchdowns.

Joe Flacco kicked off the season at quarterback, going 2-6 and tossing six touchdowns to five interceptions. A bulging disc in his neck prematurely ended his season, and Allen took over. The 27-year-old out of Arkansas led the Broncos to a 24-19 win over the Cleveland Browns in his debut with two touchdowns and 193 yards.

Much of that production, however, came on a short completion to Noah Fant that turned into a 75-yard score after three missed tackles.

Allen completed just 43.6 percent of his passes in a 27-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11 before going just 10-of-25 for 82 yards with an interception in a 20-3 defeat by the Buffalo Bills.

As for Lock, the first-year pro out of Missouri completed 31 of his 51 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown with one interception in three preseason games. He had six carries for 28 yards.

However, he sprained the thumb on his throwing hand, forcing the Broncos to place him on injured reserve. He returned to practice Nov. 12.

The Broncos selected Lock with the 42nd pick in the 2019 draft.

With Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock coming off injured reserve and returning to practice this week, star linebacker Von Miller provided a strong endorsement of the second-round pick.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Miller said Lock has "got everything you need" and is a "star in the making." He also put Lock in the same conversation as Tony Romo and Aaron Rodgers, per Zac Stevens of DNVR:

Lock opened the season on injured reserve because of a thumb injury he suffered in the preseason. He was at practice for the first time Tuesday in preparation for Denver's Week 11 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Broncos' plan was clear when they selected Lock with the 42nd overall pick in the 2019 draft. He'd likely spend a year as Joe Flacco's backup before assuming the starting job in 2020.

Then Flacco suffered a season-ending neck injury during the Broncos' Week 8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, forcing Brandon Allen to lead the offense.

While Lock isn't immediately replacing Allen, a quarterback change wouldn't be surprising with the team sitting at 3-6. In addition to Miller, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio sang Lock's praises and spoke to how he's already getting important reps in practice:

The Broncos' 2019 campaign has fallen far short of expectations. The acquisition of Flacco suggested the front office was looking to contend for the playoffs.

Lock's return and the possibility he makes his regular-season debut can at least provide a glimmer of hope in the weeks ahead.

Warren Sharp is back on The Lefkoe Show to hand out his expert analysis and gambling recommendations. For example, did you know that Jim Schwartz defenses have allowed 35 points per game to the Patriots in his career? Or that Warren single-handedly shifted a game's over/under line by 1.5 points *in the middle of the freaking podcast* by releasing his recommendation online? Come for the shocking road dog stats, and please, we beg you, stay for the rant on why Clete Blakeman might be the worst referee in NFL history.

Weezy F. Baby, and the F is for...found Brandon Allen?

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller told reporters after the team's 24-19 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday that he "felt like when Lil Wayne found Drake" regarding backup quarterback Brandon Allen taking over the offense for injured starter Joe Flacco.

Miller continued:

Outside of his own accomplishments as a rapper, Lil Wayne notably discovered Drake and jump-started his Grammy Award-winning career.

Miller can only hope that the 3-6 Broncos have found something similar in Allen. The 2016 sixth-round pick threw his first NFL touchdown in Sunday's matchup, finishing with 193 yards and two touchdowns:

With Flacco placed on injured reserve (neck), Miller and the Broncos have no choice but to see if Allen's spark is sustainable.

Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco will be placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Brandon Allen, who was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 1, will start Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Rookie Brett Rypien is being promoted from the practice squad to serve as Allen's backup.

Schefter reported Thursday that surgery was not expected to be required for the bulging disc in the veteran signal-caller's neck.

As John Elway looked for stability at the quarterback position last offseason, Denver acquired the Super Bowl XLVII MVP from the Baltimore Ravens in March in exchange for a 2019 fourth-round pick.

Flacco completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games in his first season in Denver. He posted a 2-6 record, though four of the losses were decided by a single possession.

After a 15-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, he voiced his frustration with the coaching staff's approach to the game:

Flacco had rarely missed a game in his career up until last year. The 2008 first-round pick started the first 122 regular-season contests, as he did not miss a contest until Week 12 of his eighth season. He missed just six games through his first decade in the league, with all six coming in 2015.

He had started the first nine games of 2018 before a hip injury forced him out of action. That injury wound up costing him his job, and ultimately led to the end of his time in Baltimore, as rookie Lamar Jackson went 5-2 down the stretch while leading the Ravens to the postseason.

While Flacco has thrown his last pass in 2019, it remains to be seen what his future in Denver will be. The 34-year-old has two years and $44.5 million remaining on his contract beyond this season.

The Broncos used a second-round pick on former Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock, who has spent the entire season on injured reserve due to a thumb injury, in April.

Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco is expected to miss four to six weeks with a neck injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Schefter noted surgery is not viewed as a necessity, though Flacco will receive a pair of additional medical opinions to determine the best course of action.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the "most likely option" is Flacco will land on injured reserve because of a herniated disk. NFL Network colleague Ian Rapoport previously mentioned IR was "strongly" being considered:

On Monday, head coach Vic Fangio ruled Flacco out of the team's Week 9 clash against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Brandon Allen—who was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 1—will start in Flacco's place.

Denver's bye falls in Week 10, perhaps limiting the amount of game action Flacco will miss.

In his first year in Denver, Flacco has completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,822 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. He has led the team to a 2-6 record through the first half of the season.

Injuries are not something the 2008 first-round pick had to deal with early in his career. He started the first 122 regular-season contests, never missing a game until Year 8. He missed just six games through 10 seasons, with all six coming in 2015.

However, the 34-year-old has had to deal with injuries the past two seasons.

Flacco, then with the Baltimore Ravens, started the first nine games of the 2018 campaign before a hip injury sidelined him. By the time he was healthy enough to play again, rookie Lamar Jackson had seized the starting job on his way to leading the Ravens to the AFC North crown.

For the second consecutive season, an injury has kept Flacco out of action. And now, his season may be in jeopardy.

Flacco has two years and $44.5 million remaining on his contract beyond 2019. Denver acquired the Super Bowl XLVII MVP from Baltimore in March in exchange for a 2019 fourth-round pick.

Denver Broncos starting quarterback Joe Flacco reportedly will miss 5-6 weeks with a herniated disk in his neck, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

Head coach Vic Fangio confirmed the injury on Monday, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, though at the time didn't offer a timetable for Flacco's return beyond saying that he would miss Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

Flacco told Jeff Legwold of ESPN that the injury may have first occurred two weeks ago:

Los Angeles professor of orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Neel Anand, who also serves as the director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, told Jhabvala that most herniated disks heal in three to six weeks:

"In general, most patients in six weeks tend to get better. It all depends on how bad it is, where it is and what it's doing. Most of the time it does not need surgery. They do tend to get better a lot on their own, but it takes time to get better. Now, if he has some neurological damage and truly has a problem with the disk, then surgery may be recommended."

That leaves the 2-6 Broncos with some decisions to make at quarterback. Brandon Allen is likely to move into the starting position, with undrafted rookie Brett Rypien a possibility at backup if the Broncos decide to promote him from the practice squad.

The team could also activate Drew Lock off of injured reserve:

It's been a tough week for the Broncos. After losing to the Indianapolis Colts, 15-13, on a 51-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri with 22 seconds remaining, Flacco was critical of the team's lack of aggression with a chance to secure the win, per the Denver Post:

"We're now a 2-6 football team and we're like afraid to go for it in a two-minute drill, you know? Like, who cares if you give the ball back to the guys with a minute and 40 seconds left. They obviously got the field goal anyway.

"And once again, we're a 2-6 football team and it just feels like we're kind of afraid to lose a game. It's third-and-5 at the end of the game. You know, who cares if they have a timeout there at the end or not? Getting in field goal range isn't that tough. You're just putting your defense in these bad situations and I just felt like, 'What do we have to lose? Why can't we be aggressive in some of these situations?' That's how I felt like in a lot of the game today."

Now, the Broncos will have to adjust to life without Flacco, perhaps for an extended period of time.