Stud No. 2 – Ronnie Hillman*
For the fourth time in his career, Ronnie Hillman on rushed for more than 100 yards, but it almost went for naught. On a second-and-11 with 8:18 on the clock and Denver trying to respond to a Cleveland field goal that put them within two points of the Broncos, Peyton Manning threw a short pass just a shade behind Hillman, who bobbled the throw. It ended up in the hands of Karlos Dansby for his second interception of the game, this time for a touchdown that gave the Browns the lead.
It was a pass that turned Hillman around somewhat and went into his shoulder pads, but one that an NFL running back should catch every time. After the game, Hillman went to bat for Manning, telling critics to lay off the quarterback who has led the team to six wins.
On the day, Hillman ran for 111 yards on 20 carries with a long of 26 yards. He didn’t find paydirt, but he did convert four of Denver’s 21 first downs. On multiple occasions Hillman’s patience payed dividends, as he turned potential no-gain plays into pickups of three or four yards.
*C.J. Anderson gets an assist on Hillman’s honor because on the game-winning drive he produced 20 yards on three carries to put the Broncos in range to kick the winner. It was nearly half his total (41) yardage on the day.
By no means was it a pretty day for Hillman or the rest of the offense, but his grind-it-out mentality netted him another 100-yard tally and helped the Broncos pick up another win.
A more prominent member of the offense earned our No. 1 “dud” distinction this week…
