Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Over the course of the last three games, it’s become apparent that the Denver Broncos have found their featured running back. After starting the season with Montee Ball expected to flourish in one of the league’s most talented offenses, injuries and possibly not being in shape from an appendectomy and being rushed back prevented that.
After Ball was injured in the Broncos’ win over the Arizona Cardinals, Ronnie Hillman came in and had immediate success. In fact, Hillman was so successful that it looked like the Broncos would have a perfectly seamless transition to making him the full-time back, but Hillman was also injured against the New England Patriots and the Broncos were forced to go to their third back in the rotation, C.J. Anderson.
Anderson stepped in and has had immediate success, and over the last three games has turned it on to full beast mode, racking up 473 yards of offense in that timeframe as well as his first two touchdowns of the season. If you project those numbers out across a 16 game season, he would be on pace for 2,523 yards of total offense.
Proving his worth as a runner is one thing, but Anderson has been a phenomenal receiver out of the backfield. He has 16 catches in the last three games, and his receiving touchdown against the Oakland Raiders is one of the best plays you will see from a Broncos player all year.
The individual effort that Anderson gives on every play is awesome to watch, but the way that he has capitalized on the long wait for this opportunity has got to be one of the coolest things we’ve been able to see unfold as the season has progressed. The Broncos started the season with four running backs, and have held five on the roster, but last year’s undrafted free agent darling out of Cal was more of an afterthought this year than anything, and he’s proving that he is not only worthy of a starting spot, but he’s a flat out stud.
Anderson’s emergence in this offense wasn’t completely unexpected, but it’s been better than anyone could have anticipated and with the volume of touches he is getting in the Broncos’ offense, he’s going to be a huge piece of what they believe is a Super Bowl puzzle.
Getting a guy with quickness, vision, patience, and a killer instinct is not easy in the NFL, especially a guy who can catch passes out of the backfield. Anderson is proving to be a diamond in the rough and right on schedule for the Broncos, who have an incredible opportunity this weekend to take a two game lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in the division and gut out a big win on the road.
Anderson will be instrumental in that.