Denver Broncos backup quarterback Drew Lock replaced injured starter Teddy Bridgewater (lower leg) in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but he failed to capitalize on his opportunity to make a case for the starting job.
Lock fumbled the ball (but Denver recovered it) and then later threw an interception just before halftime that led to a Chargers touchdown.
Those two turnover-worthy plays happened on Lock’s first five passing snaps. Bridgewater, for comparison, had six turnovers on his first 331 passing snaps this year.
Fortunately, Bridgewater was able to return midway through the third quarter, helping Denver hold on to defeat its division rivals 28-13 at home in Week 12.
The Broncos jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Bridgewater rushed for an 11-yard touchdown. Denver’s success on the ground continued throughout the game.
Broncos rookie running back Javonte Williams scored midway through the first quarter to make it 14-0 before going on to total 111 yards from scrimmage on Sunday. Fellow running back Melvin Gordon also had a productive game, rushing 17 times for 83 yards.
Bridgewater scored again midway through the fourth quarter, throwing a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Eric Saubert to give Denver a 21-7 lead. It was a gutsy performance from Bridgewater, who was clearly playing through pain in the second half.
The Broncos’ defense also had a big game, limiting Los Angeles’ usually high-powered offense to just 13 points. The Broncos’ defense had a fourth-down stop in the third quarter and rookie cornerback Pat Surtain intercepted an end-zone pass in the fourth quarter to preserve what was seven-point lead at the time. Denver’s defense also sacked Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert three times.
Surtain clinched the game midway through the fourth quarter with his second interception, which he returned 70 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-7.
Bridgewater was able to return to Sunday’s contest, but several other Broncos players weren’t so fortunate. Broncos left guard Dalton Risner suffered a back injury and was replaced by Netane Muti. Denver’s left tackle, Calvin Anderson (who was filling in for Garett Bolles) suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Quinn Bailey. Outside linebacker Malik Reed also left in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a possible concussion.
The Broncos (6-5) were able to overcome those injuries and are now back above .500 going into a “Sunday Night Football” showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) in Week 13. Denver could take the lead in the AFC West with an upset win over the Chiefs on the road next week.
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