No Montee Ball, No Problem for Denver Broncos Offense After Big Win over Jets

The Denver Broncos got another win on Sunday, this time over the New York Jets. After Peyton Manning’s 479-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, most expected the team to stay with its pass-happy ways in Week 6. Instead, the Broncos did something they hadn’t done in 2014.

The Broncos had a 100-yard rusher.

Ronnie Hillman received the start on Sunday because of the groin injury to regular starter Montee Ball. We could see Ball sidelined for about four to six weeks because of this injury, and Hillman got the first crack at the job. Hillman came through for the Broncos with this new responsibility.

Hillman did that and more against the Jets. With his 100-yard day, Hillman became just the fourth player in team history to reach the century mark in his first NFL start.

Player	Year	Opponent	Rushing Yards
Mike Anderson	2000	Atlanta Falcons	131
Clinton Portis	2002	San Diego Chargers	102
Bobby Humphrey	1989	San Diego Chargers	102
Ronnie Hillman	2014	New York Jets	100

This was a great start for Hillman, and his performance was exactly what the Broncos needed to offset the pass-rushers the Jets were sending after Manning.

Broncos head coach John Fox felt great about his ground game on Sunday.

"

Ronnie Hillman had his first career start. I think he had 100 yards, either that or close to it. I thought he was productive. I thought Juwan (Thompson) stepped in at times. Every one of these (games) takes on its own personality." Fox continued, "You’ve got to lean on one or the other throughout a game, and I think when we needed to get things cleaned up a little bit, we were able to do that.

"

The Broncos have been striving for balance all season long, but they had yet to achieve that goal successfully in 2014. In the game against the Jets, they finished with 33 passing attempts and 33 rushing attempts.

Manning saw the Jets defense back off the ground attack, and that's why they were able to take advantage with their running backs.

"

The way the Jets played us, my guess was, they didn’t think much of our running game coming into the game. When you take your two linebackers and walk them both out on your two receivers, they’re basically kind of laughing at your running game. Based on what we’ve been doing, it was probably a valid philosophy. It’s tough to throw the ball when they have eight guys in coverage every single play, they’re disrupting some of your receivers outside." Manning continued, "It was good to get the running game kind of going today. I thought Ronnie (Hillman) ran the ball well. I thought Juwan (Thompson) had a couple of good runs. Like I said, if we can just eliminate those negative plays and those penalty plays where the run is a threat, then I think it’s important to have that balance.

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Ronnie Hillman

In the first start of his three-year pro career, Hillman rushed for more than 100 yards. It’s been a while since Hillman has reached that mark.

"

The last time #Broncos Ronnie Hillman had 100-yard game? Dec 3 2011, 29 carries 178 yards 4 TDs vs Fresno State

— Cecil Lammey (@cecillammey) October 12, 2014"

The Jets were a stingy defense against the run this year, but they struggled to slow down the Broncos' ground game. The Jets only allowed 83.0 rushing yards per game entering this contest, and that total ranked sixth best in the NFL. Their defense has only given up two rushing scores to date.

In Week 5, San Diego ran the ball 40 times for 162 yards and one rushing touchdown—most of those numbers coming from undrafted free agent Branden Oliver.

In fact, both Hillman and Oliver were able to accomplish something they’d never done before.

"

The Jets allowed 1st career 100-yard rush games in back-to-back weeks to Ronnie Hillman (today) and Branden Oliver (last week) #DENvsNYJ

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 12, 2014"

Hillman was effective when the holes were huge, but on a few carries he had to "get skinny" while running inside. In short-yardage situations, Hillman failed to push the pile. That’s why the Broncos had a second back—a bigger back—they could turn to.

Juwan Thompson

USA TODAY Sports

The only other running back to receive carries for the Broncos was undrafted rookie Thompson. For the second straight week, Thompson has come into the second half to spell Hilman when he needed a breather.

Thompson ended the game against the Jets with eight carries for 38 yards, and he averaged a respectable 4.8 yards per carry. He also had one catch against the Jets, but it went for no gain.

The Broncos saw something in Thompson while he was in college at Duke. He finished the 2013 season with only 64 carries for 348 yards and one rushing touchdown. The versatile back also only had seven receptions for 46 yards last season, as he split time between playing running back and linebacker for the Blue Devils.

Thompson worked in college under head coach David Cutcliffe. In college at Tennessee, Manning worked under Cutcliffe as his offensive coordinator. The knowledge of the Cutcliffe system, his ability as a runner and receiver out of the backfield and his toughness between the tackles were a few reasons why the Broncos added Thompson as a college free agent after the 2014 NFL draft.

That transaction has been paying off for Denver over the last two weeks. Thompson has played well with an increased workload, and he’s likely to continue as the “power” change-of-pace back behind Hillman.

Summary

No Ball equaled no problems for the Broncos on Sunday. The team had struggled to run the rock consistently all season long, but that wasn’t the case in Week 6.

Hillman showed the explosiveness the team expected when he came out of San Diego State. He fumbled, but the team showed faith in him by inserting him back into the game after that.

Thompson came in and gave the Broncos a nice 1-2 punch at running back. His power and toughness between the tackles were a welcome sight for Broncos fans.

Ball may only be out about four weeks, but if Hillman and Thompson keep performing like this we might see him return as a backup or reserve player.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via email from the Denver Broncos unless otherwise noted.