49ers vs. Broncos preview: Niners host surging Denver team in Week 14

Week 14 by the numbers

The Broncos spent a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft for their new bell-cow running back, and their replacement for aging running back C.J. Anderson, in the University of Oregon’s Royce Freeman. After the draft, the RB-needy Broncos added an undrafted free agent in local product Phillip Lindsay, to compete for a roster spot as a potential kick returner and third running back.

Little did Broncos general manager John Elway know, Lindsay — who received an “impressive” $15,000 signing bonus when he was signed — would soon become a difference-maker for Denver in 2018.

Lindsay was an impressive multi-purpose back at the University of Colorado, where he holds school records with 5,675 all-purpose yards and 4,598 yards from scrimmage. However, most scouts didn’t believe the 5-foot-7, 184-pounder, who wasn’t invited to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, had the size necessary for a future in the league.

Luckily for Denver, Lindsay’s strong Pro-Day performance was enough for Elway and the Broncos to take a chance on the local running back nicknamed the “Tasmanian Devil” for both his wild hair and his running style.

After a strong preseason, Lindsay made Denver’s initial 53-man roster as a core special-teamer and the team’s third-down back. However, his role quickly grew, while Freeman’s diminished, as Lindsay racked up stats on limited offensive touches. Before long, Lindsay was relieved of his special-teams duties as he began to see over half of the Broncos’ offensive snaps, while Freeman was forced to compete with fellow running back Devontae Booker for backup duties.

Broncos head coach Vance Joseph made a point to limit Lindsay’s touches this season, as the RB has yet to eclipse 20 rushing attempts in a game. But thanks to an NFL-leading 6.1 yards-per-carry average, Lindsay currently ranks fourth in the league with 937 rushing yards. In fact, based on both Expected Points and Success Rate, Lindsay is the NFL’s top rusher in 2018:

The Broncos’ second significant offensive personnel move was the signing of quarterback Case Keenum. After his career year last season, the veteran has come back down to earth in 2018, as his 85.1 passer rating is close to his career average. Keenum’s quarterback rating has particularly suffered due to his 10 interceptions, but after tossing picks in each of his first eight games, the veteran has been interception-free over Denver’s last four contests.

Keenum is a quarterback who won’t single-handedly win games, but he generally won’t lose games either. This is a welcome change for the Broncos, who were one of two teams with more interceptions than touchdown passes in 2017.