ESPN
Last week: 24
Broncos coach Vic Fangio is correct when he calls the team's passing-game struggles "an 11-man operation." And the Broncos certainly have issues in pass protection (13 sacks combined in Weeks 2 and 3), dropped passes and a propensity for negative plays. Yet Lock is just a 53% passer since returning from a shoulder injury that kept him out of two games.
Dan Hanzus, NFL.com
Last week: 21
The Broncos were blown out despite holding Patrick Mahomes to 200 passing yards and a single touchdown. It spoke to how poorly Denver played in all other phases of the game.
Nate Davis, USA Today
Last week: 21
Thorough performance Sunday, surrendering TDs on the ground, through the air, via turnover and special teams. When it snows, it snowballs.
Bleacher Report
Last week: 23
When the Denver Broncos upset the Patriots in New England in Week 6, it appeared as though the franchise was establishing positive momentum.
Take a look at some of our favorite photos from the Broncos' game against the Chiefs in Week 7, as selected by team photographers Gabriel Christus and Ben Swanson.
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Dalton Risner during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson (45) during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Before the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
During the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) runs the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed (59) celebrates with linebacker Malik Reed (59) after a sack during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) carries the ball out of the endzone during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) carries the ball during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) carries the ball during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos guard Dalton Risner (66) blocks for running back Melvin Gordon III (25) during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
During the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) carries the ball during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Fans during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
During the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos center Lloyd Cushenberry III (79) and the offensive line during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) drops back to pass during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
During the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant (87) carries the ball during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
During the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
During the second half of the Broncos' Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by Ben Swanson)
Denver Broncos linebacker Malik Reed (59) sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chad Henne (4) during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 25, 2020. Photo by Gabriel Christus
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports
Last week: 21
Since coming back, Drew Lock has no touchdowns, four interceptions and a 49.2 passer rating in two games. Maybe he isn't fully healthy. But if Lock continues to play like this the rest of the season, what will the Broncos do next offseason?
Sports Illustrated
Last week: 21
I hope John Elway gives the Vic Fangio regime some freedom to grow. It's not going to be perfect, but Fangio is a coach who can finally bridge the Super Bowl contenders from 2015 and a team that can contend in the AFC West sometime in the near future.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Last week: 20
Drew Lock had a rough go of it against the Chiefs. Those games will happen for young passers, but it's how he responds that matters.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Last week: 17
The Broncos actually kept Patrick Mahomes mostly in check in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. But allowing a touchdown on an interception return and a touchdown on a kickoff return in the same quarter is not exactly a formula for beating a defending Super Bowl champion. QB Drew Lock needs to be better.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Last week: 20
The Broncos can continue to have more doubts about whether Drew Lock is the franchise QB. When they're not running the ball, without Courtland Sutton, the passing just looks sloppy.
