Tape Don’t Lie: Trevor Siemian should not be the Denver Broncos’ Starter

Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) reaches for a first down marker as Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (41) defends in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) reaches for a first down marker as Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Philip Wheeler (41) defends in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

If there’s one play that summarizes the Broncos offense right now, it’s this:

They call the outside WR in + inside WR/TE go routes a billion times a game. Your grandmother knows how to counter it by now.

Watch DJ Hayden let Jordan Norwood go to the next level to break off his coverage and smother the obvious underneath route that has become the Denver offense. Defenses are abandoning traditional man to man concepts because they know they don’t have to cover everyone downfield.

If there’s one image that summarizes the Trevor Siemian ride right now, it’s this:

I don’t know about you, but I see at least ten yards of green in front of him. The only immediate threat is the defensive tackle 7 yards away, but Donald Stephenson looking back at Siemian to run so he can start blocking the DT downfield.

The Raider standing at the 15 likely would have forced Siemian to slide in between the 20 and the 25. Siemian threw this pass away and was rightly flagged for intentional grounding. That penalty proved that he’s either too hurt to play or simply not reading the field well enough to be a starter. Either way, these mistakes can’t continue to happen. My mental wellbeing can’t take it.

The Broncos left at least 20 points on the field in Oakland, and the bulk of the blame can be placed on the quarterback and the play-caller. Kubiak isn’t fooling anyone right now and hasn’t for the last month. Meanwhile, Siemian isn’t doing him many favors.

Paxton Lynch can take the top off a defense with both his arm and his legs. If Trevor Siemian makes these same mistakes against an even worse defense than the Raiders’ on Sunday, the Broncos must roll the dice on the more talented option behind center.