Broncos QB Drew Lock likely to start vs. Chargers

With starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater recovering from the worrisome concussion he suffered in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals back on Dec. 19, the Denver Broncos turned to backup Drew Lock as their QB1 for this past Sunday's matchup at the rival Las Vegas Raiders. Lock failed to impress in what became a 17-13 defeat that dropped the Broncos to 7-8, as he completed 15-of-22 passes for 153 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. 

It appears Lock will stay in the lineup through at least the first full weekend of the new year. 

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Chase Goodbread), Bridgewater remains in the concussion protocol and won't be eligible to face the 8-7 Los Angeles Chargers this coming Sunday, meaning Lock is on track to sit atop the depth chart for the Week 17 matchup. Thus far this season, Lock has connected on 37-of-62 attempts (59.7%) for 380 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a career-worst 69.3 passer rating.

Brett Rypien should again serve as Lock's backup. 

The Broncos will begin 2022 possessing an outside shot at making the playoffs and may need Lock to produce the best outing, to date, of his Denver career to make the Week 18 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs anything more than a largely insignificant regular-season finale.