There’s one thing ’t carrying to daylight right now: A shred of doubt.
“I mean, you have confidence every time you win,” the ’ rookie tailback and former University of Colorado star said after rushing for a season-best 110 yards Sunday in a 24-17 victory over Pittsburgh. “You build a bond, you build what you need to get to the next step. We (need) to peak here, so that when we get to the playoffs, we can peak again.”
Hang on. Playoffs?
“We’re a playoff team,” Lindsay replied. “If you sit here and doubt yourself, there’s no reason for you to play.”
No. 30 is toppling more skeptics — and front-line NFL defenses — by the week. The AFC North-leading Steelers (7-3-1) came into Broncos Stadium at Mile High having allowed just 99.6 rushing yards per game, the eighth-best clip in the league. Lindsay topped the century mark on just 14 carries, averaging 7.9 yards a tote, in helping power the Broncos (5-6) to a second straight win.
“You have that feeling, whether itap Phil or Royce (Freeman), especially (against) a team that blitzes so much, you feel yourself pick up the blitz and you know in your head, ‘He’s gone,’” center said with a grin.
“And there’s not a real doubt in your mind. And there’s (an) off chance that someone grabs his shoelaces and gets him, but itap a … weird feeling, because that never happens.”
If Lindsay averages at least 65 yards on the ground over the final five regular season games, he’ll break Dominic Rhodes’ single-season mark for rushing yards by an undrafted rookie — 1,104, set in 2001. Lindsay is on a pace to finish with 1,134 yards through 16 games. And, more to the point, he’s making it look easy.
“Itap hard, itap hard,” said Lindsay, who became the Broncos’ all-time leader in rushing yards in a season (780) by an undrafted rookie, topping Selvin Young’s 2007 record of 729 with a carry in the third quarter. “People may think itap easy.”
Thatap because in three November games, the former South High School standout has settled into a veteran groove, despite an offensive line racked by injuries and revolving-door lineups. Lindsay this month has accounted for 300 yards rushing and receiving on 48 touches — an average of 6.25 yards gained every time he handles the rock.
“It feels good,” Lindsay said. “It feels good, especially being a rookie, being able to use how itap (gone). “We’ve been in a lot of close games … we’ve been through a lot. We’ve been through fire … and thatap whatap going to help us out come the (final) stretch.
“Itap just about being comfortable with your offensive linemen. Itap about being comfortable with yourself and who you are. And at the end of the day, I am who I am. And I’ve learned who I am and I go on. I’ve enjoyed it.”
The locals have, too. Lindsay became the first running back to top the 100-yard barrier against the Steelers this season, and there’s a feeling that the kid hasn’t even scratched the surface yet as a pro.
“I’m not focusing on the postseason, but you’ve got to have it in the back of your mind so you can have that hunger, that drive,” Lindsay said. “And we want to go 1-0 (every week). Thatap it.”
So you’re a 10-6 team now?
Lindsay laughed.
“I mean, you guys are trying to put words in my mouth,” he said. “One-and-oh. Put that in the paper. One-and-oh.”
