How the Broncos Can Best Use Hillman, Anderson in Playoffs, Optimize Run Game

The Denver Broncos have become a run-heavy team over the last six weeks of the regular season. During that time, second-year player C.J. Anderson has emerged as the team’s featured back. Since Week 12, Anderson leads the NFL in rushing yards (648) and touchdowns (eight).

Anderson took over as the team’s starter after Ronnie Hillman went down with a foot sprain against the Oakland Raiders in Week 10. Hillman missed six games as he recovered from this injury, but he was able to return for the Week 17 game against the Raiders.

Hillman actually carried the ball more times against the Raiders on Sunday than Anderson did. While Hillman rushed the ball 15 times for 56 yards (3.7 YPC), Anderson ran the ball 13 times for 87 yards (6.7 YPC) with three rushing touchdowns.

Anderson is glad to have Hillman back in action.

“I think it’s great. It’s good to have [No.] 23 back. His style, what he does, he’s just another weapon. We could both be on the field at the same time at some point.” Anderson said, “There are two weapons. And when I’m in the game, I’m a weapon.”

Anderson continued, “So I just feel like the weapon—the arsenal that Ronnie brings to the offense that you guys saw before he got hurt, that is just slowly coming back and when it comes back into it, Ronnie will be a very dangerous person to stop.”

Player	Carries	Yards	YPC	TDs
C.J. Anderson	179	849	4.74	8
Ronnie Hillman	106	434	4.09	3

Having both backs available is a good problem to have for the Broncos. With Hillman’s workload upon his return, many are left to wonder how the carries/touches will be split between the two.

How can the Broncos best use Hillman and Anderson during their playoff run? Let’s take a look.

When Anderson Is Featured

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Anderson has become a star for the Broncos. He was acquired as an undrafted free agent after the 2013 NFL draft, and Anderson was able to make the final roster out of training camp during his rookie year.

He entered this year’s training camp fighting for a roster spot, and Anderson began the season as the Broncos third-string back behind Montee Ball and Hillman. When Ball then Hillman went down with injuries, Anderson stepped into the starting role—and he’s never looked back.

Anderson is a power back who can punish an opposing defense. He has a powerful lower body, and Anderson does a good job of picking up yards after contact.

He is also capable of creating his own space as a runner. Anderson can make defenders miss in a small area because of his quickness and lateral agility. While he’s not the fastest back on the roster, Anderson might have the fastest 10-yard split. He can get to his top gear in a hurry, and his burst gives him deceptive speed.

After battling through a minor ankle injury he suffered in Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Anderson is feeling much better now.

“My ankles are a lot better so I got that pop back in them. But, you have to give it to the big boys (offensive lineman). I can’t get to the second level unless they carry the first two.”

Anderson is the lead back for the team, and this rushing attack could be the key for the Broncos' Super Bowl hopes.

When Hillman is Featured

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Hillman, a 2012 third-round pick, had been somewhat disappointing in his career before the 2014 season. He got a chance to start for the Broncos earlier this year after Ball was hurt, and Hillman began to impress. In two of his first three starts, Hillman rushed for over 100 yards and looked good as a big-play threat.

He’s arguably the fastest player on the roster, and Hillman’s speed makes him a great asset when the team uses a no-huddle offense. Hillman is not going to push the pile between the tackles, but he can make plays on the edge or in space. As a runner in the open field, Hillman can make defenders miss—plus he has the speed to outrun angles.

Hillman is not a large back, but the Broncos seemed to show no concerns about his durability when he was the starter. His workload as the starter proved to be too much for him to handle, and Hillman ended up injured.

After missing time with a foot sprain, Hillman returned to play against the Raiders on Sunday. He believes it was good to see where he was at. “I haven’t played in six weeks so it just felt a little funny out there, but as the game went on, it got a little better. It’s going to be good to see how it feels in two weeks.”

As the Broncos enter the postseason, Hillman feels like he has fresh legs. “I have fresh legs but I’m still out of shape. So I’ve got to get on my conditioning this week.”

Hillman is the team’s speed back, and that can be used as a welcome change of pace after Anderson has softened up an opponent.

Both at the Same Time

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Don’t be surprised if we see both backs on the field at the same time. Both Hillman and Anderson are capable receivers out of the backfield. Hillman has the speed to make big plays on screen passes and wheel routes. Anderson lacks the long speed of Hillman, but his agility and power makes him dangerous after the catch.

Player	Routes Run	Targets	Receptions	Yards	TDs
C.J. Anderson	220	44	34	324	2
Ronnie Hillman	135	34	21	139	1

In addition to their abilities as receivers, this duo is also quite capable of protecting Peyton Manning. If the Broncos are forced into a situation where they must spread the field and pass the ball more, having capable backs who can pass protect will greatly help.

Summary

It doesn’t really matter who the Broncos feature, so long as they run the ball well.

Hillman has a good feeling about this combination. “He [Anderson] is having a great season and I’m just coming in and playing my role now. I think it’s a good 1-2 punch. I’m fast, a little faster than him, and he’s a little bigger than me. I think it’s definitely good for the team.”

To win in the postseason, teams must control the line of scrimmage and run the ball. The Broncos have hopes of making it all the way—and winning—the Super Bowl. In order to do that, they must correctly use Hillman and Anderson during the postseason.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via email from the Denver Broncos unless otherwise noted. Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac.com. Transaction history provided by ProSportsTransactions.com.