One game doesn’t answer the question, but Drew Lock is trending up

Last Sunday, for the first time in Drew Lock’s young NFL career, he was able to put together four quarters of high-level quarterback play. The result was a stat line that read 21-of-27, 77% completion percentage, 280 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. This is an impressive stat line no matter how experienced the quarterback.

Broncos Country finally witnessed true growth in Lock. It had been building in his previous two starts, but to see him take the next step was truly exciting Broncos fans. Through a three-game stretch as a starter, we are starting to see that Lock’s best trait is his resiliency.

In games against the Dolphins and Chiefs, Lock threw early interceptions. But he was able to bounce back, stay relaxed and not let his play become reckless. Those two performances were important building blocks in Lock’s progression.

For a player that had his back against the wall and potentially his job on the line, Lock answered the bell. It was one of the most-impressive performances we’ve seen from a Broncos quarterback.

The morning of the Panthers game, starting left tackle Garett Bolles was deactivated due to illness and tight end Noah Fant was pulled from the game in the first quarter for the same reason. Lock and the Broncos offense were able to not miss a beat despite missing two of their best players.

For Broncos fans and the Broncos to feel truly comfortable with Lock as the starting quarterback, there needed to be evidence that Lock could perform in big moments. Lock delivered.

When the Panthers mounted a comeback and pulled within one score in the fourth quarter, Lock was able to find K.J. Hamler on a beautifully thrown deep ball to put the Broncos in the lead by two scores, 32-20. It’s situations like this where a quarterback’s value can be fully understood. Not garbage-time moments, but crucial plays that decide a game.

So have the Broncos seen enough to know that Lock is “the guy?” Not so fast.

I was blown away with how great the Broncos offense looked last weekend. But it was one game.

There are many people taking victory laps as if Lock’s performance is some sort of smoking gun that he is the future of the Broncos. One great performance and we suddenly have an open-and-shut case.

There were even comparisons of Lock’s quarterback rating to the best-rated games of Peyton Manning and John Elway. I think it’s a bit premature to compare Lock to two of the top-five quarterbacks of all-time. Not after one great game. There are far more one-hit wonder quarterbacks than there are Elways and Mannings.

Judging by some reactions last weekend, Drew Lock had a Hall of Fame career in one game.

The Broncos are 5-8 and everybody is patting themselves on the back like the mission is accomplished. They need to build on this, not plan a parade.

It was just one game. There are three games left. Lock still has much to prove. The theme of the Broncos this week has been continuity. The theme should be consistency. Consistently play well for four quarters.

It is unwise to pretend as if the games in which Lock struggled this season never happened. There have been plenty of moments this year to be excited about Lock, but there have been many red flags, as well. It is understandable if some are still hesitant in crowning him the next big thing.

Those who believe Lock cannot be the long ]-term starter for the Broncos are wrong. And those that have started penciling him in for the Ring of Fame are also wrong.

With Lock we’ve seen good and bad and don’t know what we have. That’s why these final three games are so important.

As the Broncos close out the 2020 season, they need to see a trend with Lock. The Bills are the best team in the NFL that doesn’t play in Kansas City, and the Raiders and Chargers are both familiar with Lock. This is going to be a tough three-game stretch and opponents won’t be going easy on Lock.

Prior to the Panthers game, Lock was running out of time to prove himself. He came out in Carolina and made a huge statement. Drew Lock can bounce back and can improve. He’s proven that. Last weekend, Lock showed he can be more than a game manager, he can be a big-time quarterback. Now that we’ve seen it, let’s see it again.