How the Broncos can set Drew Lock on the right course
3. Better playcalling and situational awareness
We have alluded to this already, but the play-calling and quarterback play both need to be better for the Broncos.
Drew Lock leading the NFL in intended air yards per pass attempt is not simply a function of Lock making the decision to chuck the ball deep every play. He’s being empowered to do so by Pat Shurmur, Mike Shula, and the guys in charge of calling plays.
In addition to getting more high percentage passing plays in the rotation, Pat Shurmur has to be more situationally aware as well.
A couple of examples come immediately to mind.
Against the New England Patriots, Shurmur called a play-action pass on 3rd down inside the 10-yard line, a red-zone situation. The play-action fooled nobody in an obvious passing situation.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs, there were a number of curious play calls made. First and foremost — why was Shurmur calling for a flea-flicker when Phillip Lindsay had been gashing the Chiefs’ defense on the ground?
The flea-flicker ultimately cost the Broncos a potential scoring possession and set the Chiefs up with an easy one.
Another hilariously bad sequence against the Kansas City Chiefs came after Lock unfortunately took a sack on a 1st-and-10 as the Broncos were near Brandon McManus’ field goal range. After the three-yard sack, Shurmur called a play with an empty backfield, telegraphing ‘pass’ all the way.
The Chiefs made the easiest defensive call of all-time, sending six players at the Broncos’ five blockers, rushing Drew Lock’s process and getting a pick-six from Daniel Sorenson.
Lock could have checked a ‘hot’ route to Jerry Jeudy over the middle of the field where the blitzers had left an empty void, but it didn’t happen. Set up the young QB for some success in that situation by at least forcing the defensive coordinator to plan for both a run and a pass.
There’s plenty of blame to go around for why the Broncos’ passing game has stunk this season, but head coach Vic Fangio acknowledged the fact that the Broncos have had “too many negative plays” when utilizing a three-wide receiver grouping.
In three-wide receiver personnel, the Broncos have given up 13 sacks and thrown nine interceptions. I would say he’s right, that’s too many negative plays.
The solution here is probably just a bit more common sense on play calls for the time being, and get cute when you’re good enough to get cute.