The future of Denver’s backfield gained clarity Sunday afternoon with a recipe for explosion fueled by youth.
The Broncos will put the fate of their 2018 rushing success in the hands of two rookies: , the 6-foot, 229-pound thunder, and , the 5-foot-8, 190-pound lightning. They combined for 30 carries and 142 rushing yards against the Seahawks in their NFL debut. As for third-year running back ? Just two rushing attempts.
So the pair of rookie studs split tasks in Denver’s 27-24 victory.
Lindsay opened the door. Freeman slammed it shut.
“They did a great job,” quarterback said. “To have a one-two punch with those running backs, we’ve got a lot of weapons.”
Added coach : “Those two guys are mature players … that’s what we expect.”
Lindsay wasted no time adding to his budding Broncos’ legend as an undrafted free agent. The second time he touched the football, a short reception from Keenum in the left flat, Lindsay turned the corner and sprinted 29 yards for the score — his first career NFL touchdown and the Broncos’ first points of the season. Lindsay explained why he didn’t relish in the moment for long.
“I was so focused on the next play — I had to go out for kickoff (coverage),” Lindsay said. “When I’m in the zone, I don’t think about things like that.”
When the Broncos clung to a 3-point lead with with time winding down in the fourth quarter, and Seattle holding all three timeouts, Denver asked Freeman to carry the load. He rushed for 17 yards up the middle on first down. Then, two snaps later, Freeman plowed for 15 more. The Seahawks burned their timeouts, got the ball back with just a minute to play, and Denver pulled through with a cornerback Adam Jones interception as time expired.
“In front of the home fans and everything, to come out with a victory, it definitely felt good,” Freeman said. “Itap all about going out there and having an impact when your number is called.”
Good luck getting either rookie to talk up his own performance, though, giving answers to each reporter’s question permeated with a team-first mentality. But ask these former Pac-12 foes to compliment one another and they’ll both smile wide — and gush.
Freeman on Lindsay: “That (touchdown) was amazing, man. Our offense definitely needed that to start out on a good foot.”
Lindsay on Freeman: “He’s handling his business, he’s making first downs and thatap what we need. He closed the game out for us and I’m excited about that.”
The rookie running back duo now moves ahead to their first matchup against division-rival Oakland in Broncos Stadium. Don’t expect a history of bad blood to spook these runners, either, and especially Lindsay. The former Colorado Buffaloes was caught jawing with Seattle defensive lineman in the second quarter with trash-talk so strong that Keenum had to physically pull Lindsay back to the huddle.
Cue the fire response.
“That’s just who I am,” Lindsay said. “I’m not backing down from anybody. I don’t care who you are.”
A fearlessness that should give apountry hope for a lethal run game in 2018.
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