Case Keenum was a stud last season for the Vikings, and if he can continue the elite passing to the end zone, Broncos fans will fall in love with him.
Last year, there was only one quarterback in the NFL who enjoyed a better passer rating to the end zone than Keenum’s 114.5, and that was Aaron Rodgers (121.5).
That, per Pro Football Focus:
Aaron Rodgers on throws into the end zone! pic.twitter.com/jOaeelh4jg
— PFF (@PFF) July 10, 2018
On top of that, after doing some research, Keenum was also stellar inside the red zone in 2017. When in the red zone, the new Broncos quarterback enjoyed a 60.8 completion percentage, with 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also helped the Vikings earn 22 first downs near the goal line, and took only two sacks.
Simply stated, Keenum is one of the best quarterbacks in the league within the opponents’ 20 yard line. If Denver can consistently get down that far into enemy territory, the Broncos will almost certainly score more than in previous seasons.
Interestingly, Trevor Siemian’s 98.3 passer rating when throwing into the end zone was fifth-best in the league. But, one differentiating factor between the Broncos former and Broncos current quarterback is the frequency in which Siemian took sacks in the red zone. He was sacked 10 times in the red zone last season alone, and while those sacks are huge deflating plays for the offense at any field position, within the red zone, they’re even worse.
Keenum’s overall numbers in 2017 weren’t elite — 3,547 yards, 22 touchdowns, 7 interceptions — they’re actually closer to “game manager” than “superstar.”
But, when one takes a deeper look, he’s much more than just that. Keenum is superb in the red zone, especially when he’s throwing the ball into pay-dirt, the end zone. And, if he was able to put 15 TDs on the board with Minnesota, imagine what he can do with Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and whichever of those rookies (DaeSean Hamilton/Courtland Sutton) becomes the Broncos No. 3.