Must be a Stud No. 2 – C.J. Anderson
Running back C.J. Anderson expected to have a big year. As a Pro Bowler last season and being in a contract year, he really wanted to show the league that the second half of last season was no fluke.
But this year has been a mixed bag, not the continued breakout he’d hoped. Anderson made huge runs in wins against New England, Cincinnati and San Diego (to name a few) but struggled with nagging injuries that hampered his season on the whole, especially early. He did not find the end zone until Week 8 and then only four times since.
But Anderson has been coming on strong of late. Save for two potentially costly fumbles in the final two weeks of the season, he’s been gaining steam as the weeks go on (much like last year). Anderson is the ground-and-pound runner that sets up change-of-pace back Ronnie Hillman, yet Anderson has proven that he can break big runs and even find the end zone on them.
With all the questions on the offensive line in pass protection, and a quarterback returning to action who has played just one-and-half quarters of football in the past six weeks, Anderson will be absolutely critical to any sustained playoff success. The Broncos are 8-1 this year when they rush for more than 100 yards. The running game centers on Anderson, who has to put any doubts he might have from the early part of the season, and any ball security issues he’s had of late, behind him and carry this team on his back just like he’s wanted to since the beginning of the year.
