Over the last two weeks, the Denver Broncos have shown the rest of the NFL that they can be a running team, and they can dominate games by controlling the line of scrimmage. Leading the way along with the improved offensive line play is former undrafted free agent C.J. Anderson, who is everyone’s favorite player right about now.
With C.J. Anderson dominating via power running, instincts, vision, and an ability to continually move the chains in big situations, the Broncos have only needed Juwan Thompson — a rookie — to come in these last two weeks and give them some additional north-south running and keep things moving. However, I think very soon we’re going to see that the Broncos need more than just the heroic Anderson to keep their running game success going.
That should come very soon in the form of Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball, who have both missed pretty significant time due to injury. Hillman, who originally stepped in for Ball, was doing a great job as the Broncos’ lead back and receiver out of the backfield prior to his injury. His timetable for return is uncertain at this point, but he is the Broncos’ fastest running back, and it’s not really close. What Hillman brings to the table is an explosive second and third gear, and an ability to make guys miss in the open field or just run right by them.
Even though Montee Ball is currently on many fans’ hate list, his return will be big for the Broncos as well. He might just be the team’s best all-around back when healthy, and despite unpopular opinions at this point in time, Ball is a talented player who has had a variety of unfortunate circumstances leading to his struggles this season. At this point last season, Ball was a breath of fresh air in the Broncos’ running game, providing a perfect spark for the Denver offense behind Knowshon Moreno.
As much as fans want to see one back fail, which I’ll never understand (previously it has been Moreno, then Hillman, now Ball…), this is a league where you have to have patience, especially now that the offensive line is playing as well as it has been.
With the return of Hillman and Ball coming hopefully in the near future, the Broncos have to be very careful in the coming weeks not to wear down their new start offensive player. Anderson’s breakthrough is only as good as its longevity for the Broncos, and with as many carries as he has received in recent weeks, they need to tread lightly.
Keeping Anderson healthy is of paramount importance, and with a tough game against the Bills on deck, we might see more rotation in the Broncos’ backfield.