Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson didn’t break the century mark in total yards on Sunday afternoon against the Colts, but he did break the plane of the end zone for Denver’s only offensive touchdown of the day. It was a workmanlike performance for Anderson in the 34-20 win dominated by the Denver defense.
Anderson gained 93 total yards, mostly in the first half, with 74 yards rushing and 19 yard receiving. He found the end zone at the 11:41 mark of the second quarter with a four-yard run that capped a six-play, 69-yard drive. Anderson accounted for 19 of those. It was the lone offensive touchdown on a day that saw the Broncos move the ball well between the 20s, but fail to capitalize with six-point plays.
His biggest play of the day, though, came in the two-minute drill at the end of the first half. Facing third-and-10 with 47 seconds on the clock and counting, Anderson corralled an errant screen pass from Trevor Siemian and proceeded to spin around a Colts defender for a first down. The Broncos would earn another first down and eventually kick a field goal for the final points of the half.
Denver’s offense failed to capitalize on opportunities, despite the fact it put up 400 total yards. Siemian completed passes to 10 different individuals, including three to Anderson but never really got going with any one in particular. Anderson and his backfield partner Devontae Booker combined for 120 yards on the ground, but only found paydirt that one time.
The offense was dealt a blow early in the game when Donald Stephenson went down with a calf injury. Darrion Weems replaced Michael Schofield at right guard so Schofield could slide over in place of Stephenson. Denver had some success running the ball to the right side after those changes, but became a bit one-dimensional after the injury because of Weems’ and Schofield’s weaknesses in pass protection.
Fantasy football owners probably won’t be thrilled with Anderson’s day, but it was a workmanlike effort that kept Andrew Luck off the field for most of the first half and earned just enough yardage in the second half to keep the Colts at bay until the defense could take over in the fourth quarter.
As always, the MHS team was plugged in to the action as it unfolded Sunday. Here’s what they were saying about Anderson, along with some assists from our favorite follows in the Denver media.
Anderson earned high praise early in the game by breaking tackles…
C.J. Anderson runs like a beast. Very difficult to stop him, even with two defenders #Broncos @cjandersonb22
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) September 18, 2016
One of his former teammates sees a new man from last year…
CJ Anderson is a man on a mission this year. Takes 2-3 to bring him down
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) September 18, 2016
Anderson’s offseason dedication is proving to be the difference in the first two games of 2016…
#Broncos CJ Anderson reported to camp at 218 pounds.Lighter, but big enough to be a bowling ball w legs and break tackles. TD makes it 10-3.
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 18, 2016
Until Aqib Talib‘s pick-six, Anderson had the play of the game…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777624985334452224
One-handed catch + spin move.
That's one way to move the chains, @cjandersonb22. 👏 #DENvsINDhttps://t.co/kSbIh1PXrI
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 18, 2016
On four consecutive plays in the second half, Anderson and Booker ran for 51 combined yards that put Denver in field goal range and answered a scoring drive…
https://twitter.com/RonnieKRadio/status/777636206620217344
Anderson capped his night with a big 13-yard run to usher in the two-minute warning with the Broncos nursing a three point lead at the time…
C.J. Anderson takes another right side run for a deep gain, this time for 13 yards. 3rd and 2 at the two-minute warning.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 18, 2016