Denver Broncos: Paxton Lynch getting his first NFL start
The Denver Broncos have the luxury of a talented rookie in Paxton Lynch starting for the first time in relief of the injured Trevor Siemian…
Is Sunday the beginning of the Paxton Lynch era for the Denver Broncos, or simply an opportunity for Trevor Siemian to get some needed rest?
Head coach Gary Kubiak was adamant this week that the job was still Siemian’s, but that doesn’t mean Lynch can’t change his mind…
As the weeks have progressed, so has Lynch’s understanding of the offense, and while Siemian could probably play this weekend, the coaching staff is comfortable letting Lynch get a start and letting Siemian get some rest to try and be ready for the Broncos’ Thursday night game in San Diego.
The expectations for Lynch are still high, despite the fact that he’s only played one (ish) regular season NFL game. The Broncos traded up in the draft to get him, and gave up a third round pick to do so. It was a bold but necessary move for a team in transition at the QB position. Lynch certainly has all of the tools to be a top flight NFL franchise quarterback, and we’ll get to see just how far he’s come this week.
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Lynch has had an entire week to prepare as the starter, even though he would tell you that he prepares that way every week. He gets to make his NFL starting debut in front of the home crowd and against an upstart Atlanta Falcons team that is going to try to bring a lot of pressure.
This is the moment many Broncos fans have been waiting for. Lynch is probably the most gifted quarterback the Broncos have had on the roster — physically speaking — that I can remember. You always hear about young quarterbacks that can ‘make all the throws’ and if you’re wondering what that means, it means that Lynch knows when to put touch on the ball, he can sling the ball downfield, and he can fit the ball into tight spaces.
What impressed me most about his debut was his improvement in footwork when taking snaps under center and his ability to pick apart a zone defense like a veteran quarterback.
The Buccaneers don’t have the league’s premiere pass defense by any means, but neither does Atlanta (though, Atlanta has some fine cornerbacks). This is going to be a test for Lynch no matter what, going up against a very good defensive schemer in Falcons coach Dan Quinn. Quinn’s Seahawks took the Broncos to school a few years back, but I’m having trouble remembering much more than that…
It’s a new era for the Denver Broncos, and an opportunity for Paxton Lynch that made too much sense not to happen.