The Broncos are starting the second half of the season with optimism after winning two straight games. With Javonte Williams as the center of the rushing attack, the running game will undoubtedly be crucial to any future offensive success in particular.
With 903 running yards and four touchdowns on the ground as a rookie, the 2021 second-round pick showed a lot of promise. That increased hopes for the second season, but Williams’ ACL tear kept him from playing in just four games. It took him several months to heal from the injuries, but at this point he is back to 100%.
“Yeah, my confidence is definitely at 100%,” Williams said, via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson, when asked about the status of his knee in light of a recent uptick in production “I feel like I can do anything I was doing my rookie year and I feel like everything is good.”
The 23-year-old running back has achieved a rushing yardage of at least 52 yards in four instances this season, including the last three consecutive games. Notably, he surpassed the 80-yard mark in victories against the Packers and Chiefs, the latter of which saw him score his first touchdown of the season in the passing game. With the Broncos experiencing success in their recent ground attacks, Williams emerges as a crucial player to monitor as Denver progresses through the season.
Despite facing criticism, the 3-5 Broncos, under the leadership of new head coach Sean Payton, have seen improvement from quarterback Russell Wilson compared to his challenging debut season in the Mile High City. However, the team has been especially effective in the rushing department, ranking 11th in the league with an average of 117 yards per game on the ground as of Week 10.
While undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin has proven himself as a capable depth running back with impressive stats (7.1 yards per carry, 333 scrimmage yards), the spotlight is likely to be on Williams for a significant workload in the remainder of the season. The positive declaration regarding the recovery of his knee to its pre-injury form is particularly welcomed, underscoring his vital role in any potential Broncos playoff push.
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