ESPN
Last week: 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.
Dan Hanzus, NFL.com
Last week: 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.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Last week: 25
The good version of QB Drew Lock was on display in the victory over the Panthers. Unfortunately, there's no way to know from week to week if that version will show up. Coach Vic Fangio deserves some credit for holding things together this season. He has not complained about some of the competitive issues the Broncos have faced because of coronavirus-related matters and simply has tried to do the best with whatever has been available to him.
Bleacher Report
Last week: 25
Twenty-one completions on 27 attempts for 280 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 149.5.
That, folks, is the stat line for a franchise quarterback. It's also what Drew Lock did Sunday in Carolina.
Take a look at some of our favorite photos from the Broncos' game against the Panthers in Week 14, as selected by photographers Gabriel Christus and Jacob Kupferman.
KJ Hamler during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Kareem Jackson during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Justin Simmons and Will Parks during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Tim Patrick during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Drew Lock warms up before the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
DaeSean Hamilton during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Netane Muti during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Elijah Wilkinson rests for a moment before the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) leads the huddle during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) carries the ball during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Kareem Jackson during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Kareem Jackson during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer (11) returns a punt for a 83-yard touchdown during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Diontae Spencer during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Diontae Spencer during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer (11) celebrates with running back Melvin Gordon III (25) after a 83-yard touchdown during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97) sacks Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97) celebrates with linebacker Malik Reed (59) after a sack during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97) celebrates with linebacker Malik Reed (59) after a sack during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Drew Lock during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) sack Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) celebrate after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
DeMarcus Walker and Bradley Chubb during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris (96) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Nick Vannett during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Jerry Jeudy during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Bravvion Roy (93) tackles Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Nick Vannett during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Melvin Gordon III during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) catches a touchdown pass during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) celebrates after touchdown pass during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
KJ Hamler during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
KJ Hamler during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55), linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (97) and safety Kareem Jackson (22) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Mike Davis (28) during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Drew Lock during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) catches a pass during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Tim Patrick during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson (22) reacts after a tackle during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) hits Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) as he scores a touchdown during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Melvin Gordon III during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
KJ Hamler during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) and wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) celebrate with wide receiver KJ Hamler (13) after a touchdown during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Dre'Mont Jones during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Denver Broncos cornerback De'Vante Bausby (41) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10) on 4th down during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos cornerback De'Vante Bausby (41) reacts after making a tackle to end the game on 4th down during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
De'Vante Bausby during the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Drew Lock after the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Drew Lock after the NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, December 13, 2020. Photo by Jacob Kupferman
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
Last week: 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.
Sports Illustrated
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.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Last week: 24
They have to be excited about Drew Lock going forward. His four-touchdown game against the Panthers was impressive.
Nate Davis, USA Today
Last week: 26
Suspensions and injuries have now cost them five cornerbacks – great news with Josh Allen and the Bills headed to the Mile High City.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Last week: 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.
