Denver Broncos’ Stable of Backs…Well….Stable

Broncos running back Montee Ball (28) dives in the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

The Denver Broncos’ rushing attack may not look the greatest on paper in their 45-21 win over the Washington Redskins, but the team’s semi-new grouping of backs got the job done when it counted most.

Knowshon Moreno led the team in rushing (14 carries for 44 yards) and receiving (6 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown).

One could argue that he got the momentum going for the Broncos in the second half with his 5-yard run on fourth-and-2 with the Broncos down 21-7.  Montee Ball then got his first career NFL touchdown to cap off the drive.

Ball had 11 carries for 37 yards and clearly showed why he’s a better option than Ronnie Hillman, who was deactivated on the day.

Undrafted rookie and preseason sensation C.J. Anderson got his first shot in place of Hillman, and added 22 yards on four carries for a 5.5 yard per carry average.

One of the most important parts of the backs’ jobs was to not turn the ball over. That’s what got Hillman a seat on the pine. Peyton Manning had enough turnovers of his own that had the running backs started coughing them up, we could be talking about a very different result.

Don’t expect to see Hillman re-enter the line up any time soon.

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