Phillip Lindsay has emerged as a top playmaker for the Denver Broncos. His underdog story is remarkable. It is not the first time he has defied the odds.
Phillip Lindsay has emerged as a top playmaker for the Denver Broncos this season in the first nine weeks. His underdog story is remarkable, but even more so is the fact that he asked Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis permission to wear number 30.
It was 23 years ago that Terrell Davis lined up as a rookie running back. Through nine weeks, Davis had 622 yards rushing on 148 carries (4.2 YPC). Lindsay currently sits at 591 yards rushing yards on 110 carries (5.4 YPC).
Lindsay has exceeded expectations, which is nothing new to him. Phillip Lindsay tore his ACL his senior year of high school, yet racked up 4,859 yards from scrimmage at the University of Colorado, which is a school record. Phillip Lindsay wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine and wasn’t picked in the 2018 NFL Draft, yet is the eighth leading rusher in the NFL (first among rookies).
Lindsay has done this despite Denver’s inconsistency on offense in 2018. The Denver Broncos are tied for the second most holding calls this year (19) and have lost 189 yards due to offensive holding.
The Broncos also are averaging 22.8 points per game (19th in the NFL). What would Phillip Lindsay’s stats look like if Denver reduced the penalties and committed less turnovers?
Through the first nine weeks, Lindsay currently has 20 receptions. To put that in perspective, Saquon Barkley has 62, Christian McCaffrey has 54, and Alvin Kamara has 55. Giving Phillip Lindsay the opportunity to catch more passes would do nothing but benefit the Denver Broncos offense.
It would help Case Keenum get in a rhythm, it would open up the passing game, and it would give Lindsay a chance to run in open space. The Broncos look to get momentum going against a very tough Chargers team on Sunday. It is time to see an increase in Phillip Lindsay’s role.