The Broncos clung on to their razor-thin chances at making the playoffs after beating the Panthers, 32-27, on Sunday.
Second-year quarterback Drew Lock had a breakout game, completing 21 of 27 passes for 280 yards and a season-high four touchdowns.
Next up: Hosting the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (10-3) on Sunday.
Here’s a look at how various national experts rated the Broncos in their power rankings entering Week 15:
Bleacher Report (No. 19) | Last week: No. 25
“It was important game for a young quarterback who has had an up-and-down second season. The Broncos need to decide upon (Drew) Lock’s future as the starter in the offseason, and games like this don’t hurt his chances of keeping his role in 2021. But one of our analysts remains skeptical about Lock’s potential.” .
CBS Sports (No. 22) | Last week: No. 24
“They have to be excited about Drew Lock going forward. His four-touchdown game against the Panthers was impressive,” Pete Prisco writes. .
ESPN (No. 22) | Last week: No. 23
“The special-teams units — Diontae Spencer’s punt return TD in Sunday’s win not withstanding — have had plenty of migraine moments this season, likely more than that rating indicates. But this team’s fortunes have fallen the hardest because of an offense that has turned the ball over far too often and scored touchdowns too few times. The turnovers are the red-alert number. The Broncos are last in the league in turnover margin, at minus-18, and their quarterbacks have thrown the most interceptions, with 21. The interception total, even with none against the Panthers on Sunday, is five more than that of the next-worst team. That is not a recipe to win,” Jeff Legwold writes. .
NFL.com (No. 20) Last week: No. 24
“How could you not love the play call by Broncos offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who dialed up a deep shot to KJ Hamler to ice Sunday’s 32-27 win over the Panthers? Running the ball to burn clock served as the logical strategy, but the Broncos instead put their faith in Drew Lock, who responded with his fourth touchdown pass of the day. It was a dream opportunity for Lock, a born gunslinger who lives to throw deep. Lock’s second season has been a disappointment on balance, but a hot finish can only help in what will be another offseason of scrutiny at the quarterback position in Denver,” Dan Hanzus writes. .
Sporting News (No. 23) | Last week: No. 25
“Drew Lock needed that performance against the Panthers for his team to have more confidence in him for 2021. Maybe everyone was simply a year early on their emergence with him,” Vinnie Iyer writes. .
Sports Illustrated (No. 19) | Last week: No. 23
“This season has not brought the definitive answer to the Broncos’ QB question the team had hoped for, but Drew Lock made a strong case to continue to hold onto the job with his performance vs. the Panthers, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions,” Jenny Vrentas writes. .
USA Today (No. 24) | Last week: No. 26
“Suspensions and injuries have now cost them five cornerbacks – great news with Josh Allen and the Bills headed to the Mile High City,” Nate Davis writes. .
Yahoo Sports (No. 21) | Last week: No. 23
“Drew Lock played a patient game on Sunday, picking his spots and setting up a couple long touchdown passes to K.J. Hamler. That doesn’t mean he has changed his game and won’t fall back into reckless throws into coverage. But at least it was a step in the right direction after most of his season has been a mess,” Frank Schwab writes. .
