C.J. Anderson
What would you do if I told you there was a running back on the Broncos averaging 6.4 yards per carry? Probably call me a liar, right? I mean, everybody knows the Denver Broncos don’t have a running game, let alone a consistent option.
Well, actually, they do. Gary Kubiak has just made the decision not to utilize it, apparently.
From Week 8 on, when the Broncos returned from their bye, C.J. Anderson averaged 6.4 yards per attempt on the season. That’s more than Adrian Peterson, Doug Martin, LeSean McCoy, Todd Gurley and, yes, Ronnie Hillman. In fact, it’s more than any running back in the NFL.
“But if that’s the case, how come he’s not getting the ball more?”
That, my imaginary friend, is a very good question. And I’ve been asking myself the same thing an awful lot this week. Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer. Every which way I splice it, it’s about as illogical of a decision as I can fathom.
I mean, if we think back to every great moment from this Broncos offense, there’s one linking factor: A huge, impactful C.J. Anderson run. So why not give him the ball? He didn’t even get a carry until the second quarter against the Steelers!
I am holding out hope that Kubiak finds a way to get Anderson involved from the get go, and he has to be great. The Broncos need to keep Tom Brady off the field, and the best way to do that is by running the ball down the Patriots throats. Not to mention, that’s the one part of New England’s defense that is actually looking a little vulnerable heading into the game.
Just as he had the first time around, C.J. Anderson needs to finish the game with 100-plus yards and two touchdowns.
