After holding Kansas City and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes to just 22 points Sunday, the Broncos’ next challenge comes in the form of the highest-paid running back in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers and Colorado-born Christian McCaffrey host the Broncos this weekend.
McCaffrey, 24, has played just three games in 2020 because of ankle and shoulder issues. He has not dressed since Nov. 8 and has rushed for just 225 yards this season. But before signing his four-year, $64 million deal, McCaffrey enjoyed a career year in 2019.
McCaffrey rushed for 1387 yards, recording 16 touchdowns while also finishing with 1005 receiving yards. The Castle Rock native was just the third NFL player to rush for and receive over 1000 yards in the same season.
“He puts up a good challenge. He’s a running back but he can line up anywhere on the field,” Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell said. “He can line up number one, number two out in wide receiver, and he can go in the backfield and do a bunch of different stuff. He’s a great player, and we’re just going to have to be ready for the multitude of things that he can do.”
The Broncos’ defensive success against the Chiefs last week did not go unnoticed. A week after surrendered 31 points to a New Orleans team without its star quarterback Drew Brees, Denver held the best player in the NFL to just 22 points — even leading 10-9 at the half. And despite losing to the Chiefs for the 11th straight time, there were a lot of good things to take out of that game. Specifically, a growing self-confidence in the Broncos’ defense.
“We know we can do it,” Jewell said. “It’s good to actually put that out there and give ourselves that confidence and give the coaches that confidence that we can do that, but it’s all about finishing the game. That really is what it comes down to, especially against a great team like that. We need to be able to play all four quarters.”
