Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos playoff run starts with young backfield

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Denver Broncos are going to need their young horses in the offensive backfield to step up in a big way if they are to make the playoffs this season…

If the Denver Broncos are going to make the playoffs this year, they’re going to need some big time contributions from a young backfield, one that looks a lot different today than anyone could have imagined at the start of the offseason.

Implementing a fullback into the offense was one thing, but breaking in a first year/rookie quarterback and a rookie running back taking over the primary duties from a Pro Bowler in C.J. Anderson?

It’s not exactly how the Broncos drew things up…

In fact, the backfield the Broncos trot out on Sunday might have been more likely to be seen in the second half of a preseason game than in the thick of the AFC West race. But that’s the great thing about this Broncos team — it has depth all over the place, except for maybe the offensive line…

Even though many are still unsure about the quarterback position, and for good reason, the Broncos have the luxury of a first round pick developing behind Trevor Siemian, who is also in his first year of starting for the team.

Paxton Lynch could be making his second career start on Sunday, and he might be doing so with Devontae Booker and Juwan Thompson behind him.

How’s that for a sobering thought going into week 13 of the NFL regular season?

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With playoff spots up for grabs, the Broncos are going to need their young backfield, whether it’s Lynch or Siemian, to really step their game up.

Since fumbling on his first carry of the season, Devontae Booker’s patience as a runner seems to be shaken up a little bit. He’s not seeing all the cutback lanes, and he’s doing everything he can just to take the minimum of what the defense gives him while holding two hands of the ball.

With that, he’s losing something about him that made him so special coming out of Utah. Even though the original backfield of Siemian/Anderson/Janovich was mostly inexperienced, the Broncos know that they will miss the presence of their rookie fullback who is going on IR this week, and they would certainly miss the poise of Siemian.

But all is not lost in this talented, young, inexperienced crop of players. These guys are hungry, and they’re playing alongside one of the best defenses in the NFL today. They are going to need to find their X-factor much sooner than later, because the playoff window for the Broncos in 2016 has started to close.

These guys need to make sure the Denver Broncos have a chance to defend their reign as NFL champions.

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