It’s almost over.
The disappointing campaign that was the Denver Broncos’ 2017 season will expire on the last day of 2017.
In a season that marks only the fourth time the Broncos have lost double-digit games since Pat Bowlen took over ownership in 1984, there wasn’t much to be excited about.
Broncos Country was still fortunate to see Von Miller put together another stellar season, and they might get to witness one player reach another personal milestone come Sunday.
Running back C.J. Anderson will enter Sunday’s season finale against the back-to-back AFC West Champion Kansas City Chiefs needing only 54 yards to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career. His 946 yards on the ground rank 10th in the NFL.
Despite a disappointing season for the team overall, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark would be a significant accomplishment for Anderson.
“Some people forget I had knee surgery last year,” Anderson said on Tuesday. “I had surgery last year, so coming away with 1,000 for this season coming off of knee surgery I think is an accomplished and successful season. Staying healthy, that helps too.”
After tearing his meniscus in 2016 and dealing with various other injuries throughout his five-year career, Sunday will also mark the first time Anderson will have played in all 16 regular-season games.
Another thing that Anderson has going for him come Sunday is the matchup. When the Broncos played the Chiefs back in Week 8, Anderson rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries.
“We have one game to do it, I know the big boys want me to get it and we want to get it,” Anderson said. “I think that’s a positive in our season. Hopefully at the same time — we know the Chiefs, they’re going to play man-to-man.”
When looking at the Broncos’ 2017 season as a whole, there is one stat that’s difficult to ignore: The Broncos are 5-0 when Anderson carries the ball at least 20 times. A win at this point wouldn’t do the Broncos much good (specifically regarding draft position), but in the times that Anderson has touched the ball at least 20 times, he’s only failed to eclipse his desired 54 yards once.
In the 15 games he’s played in so far in 2017, he’s reached the 54-yard mark that he needs on Sunday eight times.
If Sunday goes as planned, Anderson should be able to enter 2018 with his first 1,000-yard season under his belt.
“I think if we all do our job accordingly, we’ll be fine,” Anderson said.
There wasn’t much for Broncos Country to be proud of in 2017, but Anderson’s solid year is something to look forward to when 2018 rolls around. He knows that his success in 2017 should only mean good things for him moving forward.
“I think I’m peaking at the right time,” Anderson said. “I think it helps. I’ll be 27 in February. I think that helps. I’m in my prime years and it sucks to waste one. I’m in my prime years of my career and this career gives you a short window. I have an opportunity to hopefully put myself in some special places that I wanted to be when I first told myself I wanted to play in this league. I’ll give myself all the opportunity and we’ll just see where it lays.”
