The running game was led by rookie Audric Estime, who carried the ball 9 times for 48 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He started the game for the Broncos with Jaleel McLaughlin inactive. Estime also led the backfield in first-half carries, going five for 30 yards (6.0 YPC) while also getting the nod in the red zone with two carries near the goal line.
According to Next Gen Stats, the Broncos recorded a season-high 76.9% rushing success rate in the first half. But in the second half, the Broncos generated a season-low 12.5% rushing success rate. The Broncos recorded all 3 of their explosive runs (10+ yards) in the first half, their fifth game this season without a run of 10+ yards in the second half.
Javonte Williams (52%) played significant snap percentages. Williams led the entire team and backfield with 11 targets (31% target share). Nix missed Williams on a walk-in TD catch out in the flat, which resulted in an eventual Vele touchdown reception.
Estime played 13 snaps (20%). It's very encouraging to see positive games from both Estime and Mims, but we have been down this road before with Broncos skill players.
The ROS schedule goes @ CIN and vs. KC.
You'd have to be very desperate to start any Bronco not-named Nix or Sutton even in a plus-matchup versus Cincy. The backfield projects that Estime will handle carries on early downs, but Williams will stay involved as a receiver. But it further gets complicated if we get Jaleel McLaughlin back in the fold for Week 17.
