◆ The Broncos face a tough task against the Chiefs.
DENVER — Villain isn’t a role that seems to suit Drew Lock’s sunny personality.
Yet it’s one he’s enthusiastically embracing as his Denver Broncos prepare to host his hometown Kansas City Chiefs, likely in the snow this weekend.
“It is cool to be able to put the Darth Vader mask on and steer away from the Jedi and come to the dark side, so to say, over here in Denver,” said Lock, the second-year quarterback from the University of Missouri. “I kind of like playing that guy. Hopefully, I can be that guy and get a win this Sunday and jumpstart the rivalry a little bit.”
Toy Story might better fit Lock’s disposition than Star Wars.
When he won his first start last year, his teammates razzed the rookie by nicknaming him “Buzz Lightyear” because the large white wristband he wore to help him remember the play calls resembled the Disney icon’s forearm laser beam.
Lock played along, pressing the wristband after touchdown throws the rest of the way. He never got the chance to do that at Kansas City in his only loss in five starts because the Broncos fell 23-3 at snowy Arrowhead Stadium in mid-December. Sunday’s game marks the first time Lock will see a team for the second time.
“Of course, you automatically become the bad guy if you’re from Kansas City and you go play for Denver,” Lock said. “It just amplifies it even more that I went to the University of Missouri . ... It’s one of those things that’s like, ‘Do I put on my Broncos jersey to walk around Kansas City?’ Without a doubt I do.”
It would be easier for him to strut around the trendy Power & Light District next offseason if Lock can end Kansas City’s stranglehold on the series.
The Chiefs (5-1) have beaten the Broncos (2-3) nine consecutive times.
“It’d be nice to snap that streak,” said Lock, who returned last week from a strained rotator cuff that sidelined him for a month, and became the youngest quarterback ever to win at Gillette Stadium.
“We want to take that next step, this is a team you have to take that next step against,” Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb said.
The Broncos are double-digit underdogs, and in keeping with the theme, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said the Chiefs are the NFL’s best because coach Andy Reid has “such a Star Wars offense over there” led by Patrick Mahomes.