“It doesn’t matter who the Denver Broncos’ quarterback is!”
That’s been a popular sentiment in Denver lately, and for the most part, it’s been true. Riding a nine-game win streak with four different quarterbacks playing behind center, it hasn’t mattered.
Until today.
Paxton Lynch, the Broncos’ first-round selection, was dreadful. No, it wasn’t all his fault — the offensive line was worse than dreadful — but it wasn’t the way Denver was hoping to kick off the Lynch Era.
It all started with Lynch going one for three on the team’s first drive of the game, with two inaccurate passes that could have been picked off by the Falcons defense.
A shaky start to say the least. . ..
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) October 9, 2016
What was most alarming, though, was how Lynch was missing his receivers. His passes weren’t just falling incomplete; they were missing his receivers by yards — behind them, in front of them, and above them.
While his arm looked as strong as ever, his accuracy was inconsistent at best.
John Lynch discussing Paxton Lynch's feet not being set on several of his passes which is why the ball is sailing high. #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) October 9, 2016
Bad overthrow by QB Paxton Lynch costs #Broncos a TD late in first half.
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) October 9, 2016
That should've been a TD to Sanders. Another bad throw by Lynch.
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) October 9, 2016
And after a couple close calls, Lynch finally got what was coming for him: a pick.
Lined up at their own 1-yard line, the Broncos were looking for a big play to spark their offense, and Lynch went deep for Demaryius Thomas. Unfortunately, his big-play wide receiver wasn’t open.
He never saw the safety. . .
— Gil Whiteley, Now and Then (@Gilfest) October 9, 2016
Terrible decision by Paxton Lynch. Just threw the ball up into double coverage #Broncos
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 9, 2016
And Lynch's first career INT comes as he goes deep for DT up the left side out of the end zone … Ricardo Allen read it and picked it.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 9, 2016
It’s hard to put all the blame on Lynch’s shoulders, though. He hardly had a moment to survey the Falcons secondary before being pummeled by Atlanta’s pass rush, getting sacked six times, including two that resulted in a fumble — both recovered by the Broncos
The difference in this game so far is not Lynch or Ryan, it's the offensive lines.
— Casey Light (@lightonhisfeet) October 9, 2016
The issues began with right tackle Ty Sambrailo, who was filling in for an injured Donald Stephenson. Even if he wasn’t playing at 100 percent, there aren’t any excuses for his play on Sunday.
#Broncos QBs aren't going to survive with Ty Sambrailo at RT all season.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 9, 2016
And Sambrailo's beaten again. His man forced the Lynch fumble. Bad day. Bad, bad day. #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 9, 2016
Vic Beasley is decimating Ty Sambrailo today: 3 sacks, 2 FF
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) October 9, 2016
Sambrailo desperately holding Clayborn. He’s not healthy, wants to crawl inside his helmet right now.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) October 9, 2016
And even after they replaced Sambrailo with Michael Schofield, who slid over from right guard, it didn’t get any better, as Vic Beasley immediately ran around him for another Falcons sack.
Vic Beasley had 5 sacks prior to today's game and was considered a bust by many. He has 4 sacks today. #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) October 9, 2016
Here's my weekly Michael Schofield isn't very good at football tweet. #Broncos
— Josh Dover (@JoshuaDover) October 9, 2016
Broncos yanked Sambrailo and kicked Schofield out to tackle. Vic Beasley just beat him for his fourth sack of the game.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) October 9, 2016
@Broncos might as well just replace their RTs with a swinging gate. It'll be cheaper (and just as effective)… #Broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) October 9, 2016
The Falcons entered the game with four sacks all season, last in the league. They left with 10.
There’s plenty of blame to go around, from Sambrailo to Schofield to Lynch to Gary Kubiak, but it was an ugly performance, to say the least.
In his first career start, Lynch completed 66 percent of his passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and an interception, with most of those statistics coming in garbage time.
The Broncos will look to have Siemian ready to go on Thursday for the Chargers, but reports this morning were that Siemian might be forced to sit out another week.
After today’s performance, Kubiak will be doing everything he can to get Siemian, Stephenson and Virgil Green ready on a short week.