For the fourth time this season, Denver Broncos R.J. Harvey, the rookie running back turning into a sensation, is up for Rookie of the Week.
Harvey carried the load and carried the Broncos into the end zone twice in the win over the Commanders, but will he win this time around?
Broncos back R.J. Harvey up for Rookie of the Week
After a stellar 2-touchdown performance in the narrow 27-26 Broncos win over the Commanders, Harvey is once again up for Rookie of the Week.
Yes, he only rushed 13 times and for only 35 yards, but both of those numbers led the Broncos. Keep in mind that they mostly went away from the run game in the second half, relying on Bo Nix to throw the ball and propel the team downfield. Which, he did well. In fact, Denver passed almost exactly twice as much as they did run, 45 passes vs. 23 runs.
Still, Harvey started the game off well with an 11-yard run, and first found the end zone on a 1-yard run to cap off Denver’s 3rd quarter touchdown drive. That score was crucial because Washington had just pulled into the lead, 14-13, and the Broncos took it back.
Harvey’s most-important play came in overtime, though.
With the Broncos desperately needing a touchdown to put the pressure on the Commanders, Harvey was huge. He started the overtime drive off with a catch for 12 yards and an immediate first down. Two plays later, after getting instruction from Bo Nix, the rookie running back made a phenomenal play. After starting to the left of Nix at the snap, he ran to the right and picked up a blitzing defender. That gave Nix time to find tight end Evan Engram in the middle of the field, where Engram turned on the jets and ran into the red zone.
Two plays later, Harvey carried the Broncos to victory as he ran into the end zone basically untouched.
All told, Harvey had 62 yards from scrimmage, which included his three receptions for 27 yards, and two touchdowns.
Broncos Country can vote for him to win Rookie of the Week here.
Harvey is now the Broncos leader in touchdowns with 8 on the year. He has 4 rushing and 4 receiving as he continues to prove to be a dual threat out of the backfield. He’ll continue to be the team’s leading running back for the rest of the season due to J.K. Dobbins foot injury. This week he and the Broncos go up against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
