The 2019 season has been a frustrating one for the Denver Broncos, but the team still very much believes in their core group moving forward after the 2019 season.
Phillip Lindsay has become a face of the franchise, given his solid play and extensive ties to the local community. A 1,000-yard rusher and Pro Bowler last season, Lindsay inserted himself into the Broncos’ core and has been a leader on offense this season.
The former CU Buff has rushed for 849 yards and scored six touchdowns for the Broncos this season. Collectively though, the Broncos have been unable to establish the run this season, which has hindered their abilities on offense.
Denver rushed for just 52 yards versus Kansas City last week, which was frustrating for Lindsay; however, he believes consistency will be the key to unlocking the running game moving forward.
“Obviously, it’s the consistency. It’s hard to get anything going with your offensive line and with your running backs when you only, as a whole, as a total—we had what, 13 carries?” Lindsay said. “It’s just about being consistent. That’s what it is. That’s all I can say about that.”
Lindsay has split time with fellow back Royce Freeman this season. Additionally, the Broncos have had to tinker with their offensive line given injuries to starters, which has caused complications on the field, including a breakdown between the backs and the blockers.
“I think it’s just about trusting,” Lindsay said of how they can improve the run game. “It comes down to it because it comes down to it’s a whole thing about trusting the running backs, trusting the offensive line, and trusting the tight ends.”
Lindsay is within arms reach of 1,000 yards rushing for this season, a milestone he would like to achieve. With games against the Lions and Raiders remaining on the Broncos’ schedule, there is certainly a decent chance can eclipse 1,000 yards rushing for a second straight season. He’d be the first Broncos back to do so since Clinton Portis in 2002-03.
“A personal goal, I want to get to 1,000 yards, but ultimately it’s just about going out there and helping my team win a game,” Lindsay said. “That’s the most important. If we can win these last two games, do it with style, do it with confidence and have [QB Drew] Lock throw all kinds of touchdowns and we run all kinds of touchdowns, I’ll be happy. One thousand is 1,000. Nine-something is almost the same.”
Aside from the chance of hitting a personal goal, Lindsay sees tremendous value in finishing the season on a strong note as the team prepares to move forward in 2020.
“We need to have momentum going into next year—just the confidence and just end on the right note,” Lindsay said. “That’s what it’s about, sending off everybody on the right note.”
While the 2019 campaign has been a rough go-around for Lindsay and the Broncos, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic entering next season. With the solid play of Drew Lock and Rich Scangarello’s development as a play-caller, the Broncos have become more competent as the season has progressed.
With the offense starting to take on an identity behind Lindsay, Lock, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton, the Broncos will look to close the season on a high note to carry momentum over entering next season.
