Drew Lock takes positives from loss to Raiders: “I’d like to think I can sign off on almost all of (my passes)”

In the aftermath of the Broncos’ 17-13 loss Sunday in Las Vegas, coach Vic Fangio declined to sugarcoat his assessment of quarterback Drew Lock and the Denver offense.

“(Lock was) up-and-down,” Fangio said. “You get 158 yards of offense, and eight first downs, it’s hard to say anything good about the offense.”

In his first start of the 2021 season, Lock produced few highlights and nary a touchdown “drive” longer than a yard.

But in Lock’s view, his performance was a step forward individually, even if the defeat all but wiped out Denver’s playoff chances. Lock was 15-of-22 passing for 153 yards with no interceptions and an 87.9 rating. Denver was also 1 of 10 on third down, while Lock was sacked twice for 13 yards and also saw key drops from Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick and Albert Okwuegbunam.

“I feel I did all right,” Lock said. “Obviously there’s going to be some things I want to fix and make better, but there’s going to be a lot of good things on tape and a lot of things I can hang my hat on and say that I was proud of this throw or that.

“I want to be able to sign off on every single throw. That’s what I’ve started thinking about this year. Every time you put the ball in the air, that’s got your stamp on it, it’s got your name on it, so sign off on it. I’d like to think I can sign off on almost all of them today.”

Starting in place of Teddy Bridgewater, who remains in concussion protocol after getting carted off in the third quarter of last week’s loss to the Bengals, Lock’s performance turned out a lot better than his last trip to Las Vegas. In the Broncos’ 37-12 smackdown at Las Vegas last year, Lock threw four interceptions and turned in a 37.3 rating.

Still, the only scoring the Broncos offense managed Sunday came via a gift-wrapped one-yard touchdown run by Javonte Williams at the end of the first half (the direct result of Bradley Chubb’s interception and runback) and a pair of Brandon McManus field goals.

“We did a lot of good things (as an offense),” Lock said. “We moved the ball, and the difference (between touchdowns and field goals) is really small in this league. We’ve just got to be a little better in places here and there.”

Lock said the loss to the Raiders “definitely hurts,” and that going into Week 17 against the Chargers, his approach to the job isn’t going to change. Last week Fangio said Bridgewater will be the team’s starting quarterback for the final two games if he’s cleared to play.

“(Where) my head is right now is going to be in the film right after this,” Lock said. “I’m playing it ‘as is.’ I’m thinking I’m the starter next week, and I’m going to prepare like that unless I’m told different.”

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