3. Ronnie Hillman
Its is safe to say that the Broncos running game has been surprisingly inefficient through five games. Their 71.6 net rushing yards per game is 30th in the NFL and has been a source of immense scrutiny. However, head coach Gary Kubiak, after acknowledging their poor performance in that area, has continued to state that they will stick with it. Hillman will get a big opportunity to have a large role in Sunday’s game.
While the Broncos have struggled to run the ball, Cleveland has been horrific at stopping their opponents running backs. They have allowed an average of 149.4 rushing yards per contest this season, ranking 31st in the NFL. That statistic does not seem to matter to Kubiak, who Friday, put the responsibility on his team first.
“My concerns are with us. Statistics and stuff, looking around this league, if you get too carried away with that stuff, you’re wrong. We’ve got to play better regardless of who we’re playing this weekend. It’s always going to be a point that we think we need to run the ball better to help our team, and we have not done that. We’ve got to keep pushing and find a way to do it. But it’s about us.”
Hillman has been the more explosive back of the two main runners for the Broncos. After five games he has outgained C.J. Anderson 212 yards to 139, for a respectable 4.6 per carry, aided considerably by his fantastic 72-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Broncos have moved the ball better in recent weeks, but especially in Oakland, they could not finish drives with touchdowns. The Browns week defense, that has given up touchdowns on 68.2% of opponents red zone drives, should help the Broncos with their running game woes. Hillman looks to be the impact player this week in the running game but Anderson will contribute also and spoke Wednesday about the importance of improving in that area.
“We’ve just got to finish, got to find a way to put the ball in the end zone. We’re driving the ball up and down the field, but we have nothing to show for it. Having total yards, having good drives, sustained drives and nothing to show for it is disappointing at times. It’s something that we’re going to get together. We’ll get it fixed.”
