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Denver Broncos: 5 reasons to believe in Paxton Lynch

By Parker Hurley

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) looks to pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) looks to pass during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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If Paxton Lynch is to start for the injured Trevor Siemian, Broncos nation should not feel worried.

While there is no official word yet, there is a possibility that Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch will be making his first career NFL start just four games into his rookie season. Trevor Siemian, the Broncos starter, left Sunday’s game at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a shoulder injury. The early indication is that it is a sprained AC joint, but as a lot of injuries go, time will tell how it heals.

Lynch entered the game when Siemian was injured and finished with respectable numbers, completing 14 of 24 pass attempts for 170 yards and a lone touchdown. When Lynch entered the game, the Broncos had scored 14 points, seven of which came from the defense. He was able to put up 13 more points on offense, avoid any turnovers and secure the win.

There is not a quarterback controversy to speak of quite yet, the injury may be the crack Lynch needs to shove open the proverbial door and stake his claim to the starting quarterback role. The Broncos host the Atlanta Falcons next week and follow that with a Thursday Night Football matchup on the road in San Diego against divisional foes, the Chargers. While Atlanta is 3-1, the Broncos are at home and the added importance of having Siemian potentially over-rested rather than short of rest on a three-day layoff between games may be worth keeping him out for a week.

The Broncos also may want to see what they have in Lynch, and decide if they want to roll the dice and go with Lynch until he proves otherwise, or stick with the former seventh-round pick Siemian, who has played well in his past two games.

Here are five reasons why Broncos fans can believe in Paxton Lynch moving forward.

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak looks at his play card during the first quarter in a AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak looks at his play card during the first quarter in a AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Easy Decisions

One of the reasons why Paxton Lynch was not in the same class as Carson Wentz and Jared Goff in the draft was their decision-making ability. As a prospect, Lynch had always struggled to break away from his from his read. However, that is an issue Siemian had struggled with as well. The reason that flaw has not reared its head so far is because of the success of the Gary Kubiak offense.

Kubiak uses the running game and quick passes to open the offense for his quarterback. A lot of times, Siemian was just making one read and thanks to the fear of the run, it was open.

In the same offense Kubiak ran in Houston, his last coaching stint, he was noted for being able to force the football to star wide receiver Andre Johnson. He was able to scheme Johnson open, especially off of play action, and was able to make a quarterback with questionable talent, like Matt Schaub, look like a grade-A decision maker. The same can be found in this offense for Paxton Lynch. The big difference between Lynch and Siemian would be how much of the playbook Lynch can successfully run. When it comes to making the throws and similar decisions to what Siemian is doing, Lynch can do that.

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