4 keys to victory for the Panthers vs. the Broncos in Week 14
By Dean Jones
Pressure Drew Lock
The doubts are starting to creep in regarding Drew Lock and his future with the Broncos. He was tipped to have a breakout season before competitive action got underway. But things haven’t exactly gone according to plan in this regard.
Considering Lock is playing behind a quality offensive line, it makes his lack of production even more bemusing. There appears to be a real confidence issue regarding the former second-round pick out of Missouri when things don’t go his way early on. So if the Carolina Panthers can make him uncomfortable early and often, it is going to serve them well.
This task will fall primarily on the shoulders of Brian Burns once again. The stud defensive end has come of age this season and is on course to become a superstar if he continues this trend moving forward.
One problem the Panthers may have is that there won’t be a great deal of help around him. Yetur Gross-Matos is another who finds himself on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Carolina will be relying on the likes of Austin Larkin, Efe Obada, and not much else when it comes to getting after Lock in this one.
How they fare in this particular area of the field has the scope to be the difference between success and failure at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.