Previewing the Redskins’ Week 16 matchup vs. the Denver Broncos

Redskins defense vs. Broncos offense

The main debate surrounding a Broncos offense full of question marks is whether Brock Osweiler or Paxton Lynch gets the start in the last two games. None of the team’s quarterbacks have impressed consistently this year. But with the team’s future on the line, this decision in the final two weeks suddenly becomes very important.

No official decision has been made, as of now. But both present a case to be given the start. Osweiler is coming off a Thursday Night Football performance in which he scored three total touchdowns in just three quarters, failing to turn the football over once, registering a passer rating of 147.7. He energized his offense, bringing them back to life, and he ultimately led them to the win.

That kind of energy is the thing that John Elway wants his starting quarterback to have. But Osweiler is 27 years old. His current backup, Paxton Lynch, is just 23, and the team traded up to spend a first-round pick on the latter in 2016. Lynch has seen pockets of opportunity in his career, but he’s never been able to latch on as the starter in his two years with Denver. His career totals are nothing to clap for. In four appearances, he’s 58 for 97, throwing for 538 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

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In the one game he played this year, he went 9 for 14 for just 41 yards and an interception. Stats aren’t everything, but on the field, Lynch looked like a player who needed much more time to grow and learn. He was slow and staggering with his reads, and his footwork and pocket presence showed much room for improvement, and little else.

As evidenced above, his stats suffered from his lack of readiness, and it’s hard to imagine anything different happening just weeks later. But the Broncos have good reason to start Lynch, nonetheless. They spent a valuable first-round pick on the former Memphis signal caller, and they need to know what they have in him so they can determine how to move forward in the ensuing offseason. He could end up being their answer at quarterback. Or he could very well not be.

So who should the Redskins prepare for? Osweiler or Lynch? The logical decision would be Lynch, but one can never be too careful in their planning. Even so, this predicament shouldn’t incite worry. Both quarterbacks are similar. In fact, that may be an understatement. Both are identical in size, standing at around 6-foot-7 and 244 pounds. Both have strong arms and a relative weakness when it comes to touch, placing, and footwork. Osweiler showed major improvements in these areas last week, but if Lynch starts, it will not matter. And no matter who’s starts, neither may be in that position in 2018. The Broncos are a new favorite to go after Kirk Cousins. Our quarterback could be playing against his future team on Sunday.

Next: Redskins Free Agency: Who stays on the line?

Regardless of the future implications, the Redskins’ defense should have an easy time handling the Broncos offense. Aside from the quarterback position, their running game is maddeningly inconsistent, and their offensive line is subpar. For a Redskins’ unit that shut down the Arizona Cardinals last week, this next team from the West shouldn’t give them much trouble. But it doesn’t hurt to prepare as if they will.