Paxton Lynch is not worth a start

And Lynch – in a game plan largely created to protect him from either getting into, or causing too much, trouble – didn’t top 100 yards passing until the Broncos’ first possession of the fourth quarter. There will be points in the game where the offense looks like three yards and a cloud of rust, er, dust.

Jacksonville’s chances of winning this game, no matter how similar the two teams are statistically, are slim.

Chris Harris Jr.’s interception was his second of the year, giving him five consecutive seasons with multiple picks. The Broncos won the game largely on the strength of their defense, which has become a Sunday ritual in the same way that going to church or people complaining about Chik-Fil-A being closed is. They lost because the team played badly. He’s much more comfortable there rather than under center, where the Broncos have him lining up with one foot farther back to help with his raw footwork.

Jacksonville has done a solid job protecting Bortles.

Denver is now in must-win situations the rest of the season. A strong performance in this game could mean Lynch is ready to take over.

“The biggest thing is to not overload him too much, let him be free and play”. The Jaguars defense has improved as the season has progressed, and the additions of many young players in previous off-seasons have improved the defense.

Lynch made his National Football League debut in the second half of the Broncos’ win over Tampa Bay in Week 4, throwing for 170 yards and a touchdown in place of an injured Siemian. The coaches must put Lynch in the best position to succeed.

A 41-yard field goal by Brandon McManus iced a game that was more hard than the Broncos would have liked. Had Smith, who was falling as he reached up and accidentally whacked Lynch in the head, not been flagged, the Broncos would have punted on fourth down. Lynch needs to rotate the ball throughout receivers and running backs. Lynch’s work on scrambles could prove pivotal in the ground attack.

Now the team hits the road three of the next four weeks to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Tennessee Titans at Nashville and the Chiefs in Week 16 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Jaguars will be coached up to protect against the naked bootleg, and keep an edge defender on the backside to spy the QB.

The Broncos would respond accordingly with a eight-play, 75-yard drive highlighted by a roughing the passer penalty on Telvin Smith, and a couple of good carries by Kapri Bibbs. Find a way, especially in the redzone, to move the pocket, and roll outside the tackle box. Lynch’s pass was incomplete, but Smith grazed his facemask.

Brandon McManus’ 41-yard field goal four plays after Ray’s recovery gave the Broncos’ the final margin of victory with:29 remaining. If this is the case, Denver will need to play solid up front.

“Paxton is doing well”, Kubiak said. The Jaguars are a huge disappointment and Bradley is unlikely to survive after the season.

At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, Lynch is an enormous human being and a physically imposing quarterback.