C.J. Anderson Staying Humble Despite Playing Hero in Broncos' Huge Win over Pats

The Denver Broncos knocked off the undefeated New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football by a score of 30-24. It was a huge win for the Broncos, and they had to go into overtime to beat arguably the AFC's best team.

Denver's offense fought hard all night, and they had to battle back from a 14-point deficit. The engine to the offense was running back C.J. Anderson. He scored two rushing touchdowns in the game—one in the fourth quarter and one to finish the game in overtime. Anderson finished the game with 113 rushing yards on 15 carries.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak liked what he saw from Anderson on Sunday night.

"I saw confidence. He was very confident. Actually, he said something to me on one of the drives down there when we had like third-and-3 at the 3[-yard line]—'Coach, give it to me.' I love players like that."

"That's what you want to hear," Kubiak summarized. "I think C.J. has gained confidence in what we do offensively as the season has gone on and should continue to gain some more."

Anderson stayed humble after the game despite being the hero in this huge win over the Patriots. Here's a breakdown of his amazing performance on Sunday night.

Backup No More?

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Anderson began the game as a second-string back behind starter Ronnie Hillman. Anderson began the season as the starter, but he failed to make much of an impact. Hillman replaced him in the lineup as the lead back, but outside of one 100-yard game as the starter (Week 11 versus the Chicago Bears) he's not done much.

As the backup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, Anderson rushed for over 100 yards. This game also saw him top the century mark coming off the bench. In fact, this was the fourth 100-yard game by a Broncos running back (two by Hillman, two by Anderson) in 2015.

Anderson is focused on what he can do to help, and he's not focused on outside distractions.

"I just know what I can do. I try not to listen to everybody on the outside. I know my ability, and I trust my ability to put me in the situation I'm in today. Like I told you before, when we executive on the offensive line, the running backs and quarterbacks and tight ends—it makes my job a lot easier and their jobs a lot easier when we're all doing it."

Regardless of who is starting, the Broncos are going with a "hot-hand" approach at running back. Anderson has a fine all-around skill set, and he's arguably the most well-rounded back on the team. He could easily get the starting job again, but he's not concerned about that—he's only concerned with helping his team win.

Receiving Yards Boost His Production

Anderson is the team's leading pass-catcher out of the backfield. While Hillman leads the team in rushing yards (587 compared to Anderson's 496), it's Anderson who dominates as the pass-catching back. Anderson has 21 catches this year for 162 yards. Hillman has only 11 catches for 23 yards receiving.

In the game against the Patriots, Anderson caught four passes for 40 yards. He was targeted four times and made sure to come through for his quarterback by catching everything thrown his way.

Anderson felt good about beating the Patriots.

"It just feels good to win. I mean, we just executed as a team. We know we're a good football team, and we know when we bring our A-game we can play on a level with anybody. It had nothing to do with the Patriots or because they were undefeated and we were underdogs." Anderson emphasized, "It doesn't matter who was on the field tonight. The goal was to get a W, you know, and that's what we did."

Pass-Blocking Helps Osweiler

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

One of Anderson's best attributes is his ability as a pass-blocker. He's the most reliable back when it comes to protecting the quarterback, and Anderson made key plays in that department on Sunday night.

On the play before his clinching overtime touchdown run, Anderson saved Osweiler from an oncoming rusher. This bought the young quarterback enough time to hit tight end Owen Daniels to set up the 3rd-and-short play on the next down.

When Anderson wasn't on the field, the pass protection for Osweiler suffered. The Broncos want to use both Hillman and Anderson as runners, but it's clear that Anderson is the better receiver and the best option to have on the field during passing downs.

Overtime Run Seals the Win

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Facing a 3rd-and-1 from their 48-yard line, Osweiler called an audible to the play that won the game. After the game, the fourth-year pro described the play.

"It was a check that we had worked on all week in practice. We were trying to run the ball [to the] weak side. They gave us a specific defensive front that we can't run that ball into, so I checked to our second play that we called in our huddle." Osweiler continued, "The line did a hell of a job and C.J. did the rest."

Anderson was excited by what he saw as the play unfolded.

"[QB] Brock [Osweiler] changed it. I said, 'Man, this has a chance.' And as I got a toss and I just saw [T] Ryan [Harris] deep for me, and I thought, if he can get to the hole, I better be able to get to the hole. You just got to get it to the big boys up front. They pretty much create the play and got me a chance to get on the safeties and make them miss, and the next thing you know is history."

To say that Anderson is an emotional runner would be an understatement. He creates positive energy as a runner, and that momentum increases his confidence as the game (and the season) goes on. That momentum, confidence and energy prove to be infectious to the rest of his teammates.

Anderson was all smiles after the game, and he spoke at the podium during the postgame press conference. Afterward, Anderson went to the locker room to clean up and still answered a barrage of questions from the media. He humbly answered each question and was respectful with his time.

The young running back made sure to highlight the play of his offensive line at each turn.

"They're creating lanes for us, they're making big holes, they're making little creases, they're giving us enough room to work with and us backs and you don't need everything blocked perfectly every play. If you got something to start off on, that's something me and Ronnie can make happen, and that's what we did."

He's got star ability, but Anderson does not take his role with the team for granted. The Broncos rushing attack could be the key to a deep postseason run, and Anderson's steady presence on the field could help propel this team further than some think.

All quotes and injury/practice observations obtained firsthand. Record/statistical information provided via the Broncos media department unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats via ESPN's employees-only database.

Contract and salary-cap information provided by Spotrac. Transaction history provided by Pro Sports Transactions.