Despite a big Broncos win, there were some “Duds” against the Packers

Stud(s) No. 2 – The Two-Headed Monster

Perhaps it was fitting on Halloween weekend that the Broncos’ two-headed monster in the ground game finally showed its teeth.

For weeks, Gary Kubiak has been effectively splitting reps between C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. Finally, in Week 8, it paid off.

Hillman found the end zone twice, which was ultimately all the Broncos would need to win, but it was Anderson‘s breakout game of 101 yards on 14 carries and his first touchdown of the year that really socked this one away for Denver.

Together, they accounted for 161 yards and all three of Denver’s touchdowns.

The offensive line, for all its health issues and lack of consistency, really started to show what Kubiak was brought to Denver to do. His zone-blocking scheme finally started to open up some big holes (helped by Peyton Manning’s ability to find tight ends and receivers open over the middle), and both Hillman and Anderson showed the patience and field vision required of “one-cut” backs.

On a night that honored the 1997 Super Bowl team, there were moments where the Broncos offense looked very similar to the one that led Denver to its first world championship under Kubiak’s guidance as offensive coordinator.

If this was truly a turning-point game for the offensive line and the running backs, Peyton Manning has to be licking his lips as he looks down the remaining schedule.

Our last duds? Count me in that group.