Broncos running back Javonte Williams refused to be denied.
With 8:04 left in the first quarter of Denver’s home matchup against Kansas City, quarterback Russell Wilson faked to his right, then turned the other direction and threw a screen pass to Williams.
The third-year running back then bolted for the end zone, lowered his shoulder and bulldozed through linebacker Drue Tranquill at the goal line for a 4-yard touchdown — his first in two seasons.
In the summer when Williams was still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last October, he was determined to become the violent rusher that he was before the injury. The Broncos have seen spurts of it, but over the past two games, especially in the 24-9 win over the Chiefs, Williams has been a freight train that has worn down defenses.
“I just feel like my confidence is coming back,” Williams said.
Williams had never run the ball more than 23 times in college or the NFL until Sunday, when he had 27 carries for 85 yards. The former North Carolina standout has recorded 80-plus yards in two straight games and has rushed for 219 yards on 52 attempts in the last three weeks.
Williams’ ability to generate yards after contact has been impressive. This season, 252 of his 357 rushing yards have come after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. He totaled 51 yards after contact against Kansas City.
In Denver’s Week 7 victory over the Packers, Williams had 69 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus, and had three rushes for 10-plus yards.
As a whole, the Broncos’ run game has benefited from Williams’ recent emergence. Denver has rushed for 100-plus yards in four straight games. The Broncos ran for a season-best 153 yards on 40 attempts against Kansas City. In the second half, they ran 24 times for 81 yards.
“We rely on (Williams) heavily,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “He runs as hard as he works, and thatap a special thing.”
Head coach Sean Payton said the team is discovering its identity. But after the Broncos’ second straight victory, it seems they have finally settled on an offensive identity, and that’s being physical in the run game while letting Wilson manage the game.
Payton mentioned in the offseason that he wanted Denver to run the rock, but the offense struggled to do it consistently early on. Now that Williams has found a groove, he and undrafted rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin have become focal points of the offense.
Williams’ violent run style and McLaughlin’s swiftness have formed a solid one-two punch in the backfield that has the Broncos’ offense trending in the right direction at the bye week.
Itap hard to expect the Broncos to run the ball more than throw like they did Sunday. But their last two games suggest the best way to maximize the offense’s strengths is by being physical in the ground game.
“There are certain things relative to a running game and what you want to do relative to play-actions and shots,” Payton said. “Are we a finished product right now? By no means. At the same time, you’re trying to figure out your personnel. Are we better at certain wide zones? Are we better at gap schemes? What is it that we feel like we can throw well?”
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