No matter who you are, the shadows of great quarterbacks in Denver loom large. While fan expectations for the position may not always be fair, that’s just the way it is when play under center for the Broncos. Over the last couple weeks, anybody and everybody had an opinion on how Drew Lock should play football.

It became apparent early in the game on Sunday that coaches had taken time over the course of the week to put the fear of making mistakes into Drew Lock. He was timid and overly cautious with where to go with the ball. The gunslinger looking for the homerun play had been replaced by this checkdown-happy imposter.

For the first three quarters of the game on Sunday, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur called the kind of game that Trevor Siemian and Case Keenum devotees could really get excited about. It was frustrating to watch and it had to be frustrating to execute.

Honestly, the Chargers game had a very 2015 feel to it. Like Gary Kubiak trying to force Peyton Manning into playing within the Kubiak offense, it not working, and then asking Peyton to go out and win it his way. Something happened in the 4th quarter and Lock broke the Shurmur shackles and began to ball his way. It was fun to watch! It was amazing! Most importantly, it was productive.

The Broncos need to find a happy medium in how they progress with Drew Lock. Siemian-izing him is not the solution, nor is constantly swinging for the fences with every pass. What Broncos Country saw on Sunday was something special. Lock clearly has the skills and drive to be a long-term solution at quarterback in Denver. It all comes down to how the Broncos bring him along. While there is that urge to put the clamps on to minimize mistakes, that will only stifle his growth. The Broncos must resist this and find ways to let Drew Lock be Drew Lock, much like they did as time expired against the Chargers on Sunday.

What a terrific win! Enjoy it Broncos Country.

HORSE TRACKS

Broncos storm back to beat Chargers, 31-30, with Drew Lock’s touchdown pass to K.J. Hamler as time expires – Greeley Tribune

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Drew Lock turns Knute Rockne at halftime to help fuel epic Denver Broncos rally
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#LACvsDEN: Lock flicks CLUTCH game-winning TD to Hamler as time expires
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Broncos beat Chargers 31-30 on last-play touchdown - ProFootballTalk

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NFL Week 8: What we learned from Sunday's games
Patrick Mahomes had five TD throws to highlight the Chiefs' lopsided win over the Jets, while Joe Burrow and the Bengals upset the Titans and Josh Jacobs and the Raiders grinded out a win over the Browns.

NFL Week 8 scores, highlights, updates, schedule: Drew Lock throws game-winning TD in epic Chargers collapse - CBSSports.com
All the best highlights from Week 8 are right here

NFL Week 8 grades: Joe Burrow and Bengals get an 'A+' for upsetting Titans, Cowboys get 'D' for ugly loss - CBSSports.com
Here are the Week 8 grades for every team that played on Sunday

Seahawks bounce back with 37-27 win over 49ers - ProFootballTalk

Drew Brees throws two touchdown passes as Saints beat Bears in overtime - ProFootballTalk

Sunday Night Football: Eagles win ugly, 23-9, to remain in first place - ProFootballTalk

New England Patriots QB Cam Newton calls late-game fumble vs. Buffalo Bills 'unacceptable'
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton acknowledged sounding "like a broken record of late" after he again emphasized that he needs to do a better job protecting the ball following his costly fumble late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Bills.

Miami Dolphins' defense steals show as Tua Tagovailoa wins debut against Los Angeles Rams
Tua Tagovailoa threw his first NFL touchdown, then took a step back as Miami's dominant defense carried the Dolphins past the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Russell Wilson tosses 4 TDs, returns to MVP form in Seahawks' win
Seahawks QB Russell Wilson tossed four touchdown passes in a bounce-back victory over the 49ers.

Could the Packers add on offense? A look at potential moves as trade deadline looms
The Packers may have the second-highest scoring offense in the NFL, but they still may add a weapon down the stretch. Here's a look at what to watch for as Tuesday's NFL trading deadline approaches.

AFC East torch up for grabs with Patriots sputtering
Can the Bills or Dolphins grab the torch in the AFC East? Judy Battista says it's there for the taking with the Patriots looking like a shadow of their former selves again in Week 8.

Tua Tagovailoa's first start monumental for Polynesian football community
Tua Tagovailoa's first career start for the Miami Dolphins is significant not just to the franchise but to the entire Polynesian football community. Steve Wyche talks to three Polynesian Football Hall of Fame players and one coach about the young Samoan s

Niners' Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle exit early in loss to Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo reaggravated his balky ankle and tight end George Kittle suffered an ankle injury of his own in the fourth quarter of a 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Ravens' Marquise Brown expresses frustration with lack of involvement following loss to Steelers - CBSSports.com
Brown was targeted twice in Sunday's 28-24 defeat at the hands of Pittsburgh

Raiders' Trent Brown hospitalized following mishap with IV before game against Browns - CBSSports.com
Air reportedly entered Brown's bloodstream, requiring immediate medical attention

Steelers to trade for Jets linebacker Avery Williamson, securing Devin Bush replacement for second half - CBSSports.com
The two sides are swapping draft picks to finalize the deal

Cowboys vs. Eagles score: Philly defense overpowers Ben DiNucci, keeps Eagles atop NFC East - CBSSports.com
Boy, was this an ugly one, but the Eagles took care of business

Bears' Javon Wims punches Saints' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson twice out of nowhere, ejected from game - CBSSports.com
Wims punched Gardner-Johnson and was ejected in the third quarter of Saints-Bears