The Denver Broncos earned the win, and in a tight playoff race, that’s all that matters, but it wasn’t pretty, especially for their rookie quarterback.

With Trevor Siemian on the bench with a sprained foot, Paxton Lynch was called into action for the second time this season. It did not go well.

During his first start, way back in early October, Lynch completed 66 percent of his passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers, though, were generous, as the 22-year-old looked to be in well over his head for much of the game.

Against the Jaguars on Sunday, the numbers matched the eye test, as Lynch completed just 50 percent of his passes for 104 yards and no touchdowns.

From the very start, Lynch looked uncomfortable, rushing throws and airmailing his receivers.

https://twitter.com/MikeKlis/status/805472996962009088

The Broncos punted on their first four drives, including two three-and-outs, and most of those drives ended with an inaccurate throw from Lynch.

While he was overthrowing receivers at first, the big-armed Memphis product began under-throwing receivers next. On multiple occasions Lynch had a man running open down the field, only to underthrow his target and allow the defender to make a play on the ball.

While there will be plenty to critique on Monday, the inaccuracy was far and away the most concerning part of Lynch’s performance on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/805488726470262785

https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/805489478626201600

Over the last few weeks — all year, really — there has been a significant portion of Broncos Country calling for the Lynch era to begin. Today most certainly won’t help their cause.

While Trevor Siemian hasn’t been exceptionally effective all year, this may have been the Broncos’ worst offensive performance yet.

With Lynch at the helm, Denver only converted one of their 13 third-down conversions and had eight three-and-outs — five of their seven second-half drives didn’t generate a single first down.

The team scored 20 points, but seven of those came by way of a Bradley Roby pick-six, and another three were the result of a Blake Bortles‘ fumble.

In fact, the Jaguars out-gained the Broncos by over 100 yards (333 to 206).

This type of performance may earn you a victory against a 2-9 Jaguars team, but it won’t be enough against the rest of the AFC West, let alone the New England Patriots.

Reports are that the Broncos expect Trevor Siemian to be ready for next weekend’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans, and with how Lynch looked today, they’ll need it.