Broncos success in 2018 hinges on production from running back room
Jul 5, 2018, 8:44 AM
On the way to an NFC Championship berth in 2017, newest Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum and his then-Minnesota Vikings squad ran for the second-most rushing attempts in the NFL last season.
The Vikings ground game not only racked up 1,957 yards with its 501 attempts but kept Keenum’s sack total to 27 –– eighth best in the league.
On Monday, “The Drive” host Alfred Williams said the Broncos in 2018 will be “as good as it’s running back group,” partly because of Minnesota’s formula for running the ball to keep Keenum upright.
“I said 11 wins should do it for us to get into the playoffs, and I think that we win, or at least we finish second in the AFC West,” Williams said. “There is a big reason for that, and the reason is that Case Keenum is not going to take a lot of sacks. He’s not going to turn the football over.”
This past season, the Vikings ranked third in the NFL in turnovers with 14.
“Stokley and Zach” co-host Brandon Stokley echoed “Big Al’s” argument, saying that the running game can open up so many options for the team and will play a key role in its success in 2018.
“If you can run the football, it opens up so many things. It’ll open up the passing game. You’ll see DT and Emmanuel have big years. You’ll see Case Keenum have a year like he did last year,” Stokley said. “But, that’s if you can run the football.
“It allows you to rest your defense, keep them on the sideline a little bit more, change field position. There’s nothing easier than just turning around and handing the football off and getting yards.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
