Last week, the Denver Broncos were without their starting running back Melvin Gordon due to a lingering hip injury. In his place, rookie RB Javonte Williams had his best performance of the season, rushing for 102 yards and adding another 76 receiving with a touchdown. With an important game against the Lions coming up, will Gordon be able to play, or will the Broncos continue with Williams as the starter?
Will Melvin Gordon’s injury leave him out in Week 14?
Before their prime-time matchup against the Chiefs, the Broncos listed Gordon as doubtful. He wasn’t able to practice in any capacity throughout the week as he nursed shoulder and hip injuries. With a week of rest under his belt, does that mean we can expect to see him back in Week 14?
Denver’s head coach Vic Fangio said Monday [December 6] that he expects Gordon “to practice at some point during the week,” Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reported. Even though that sounds more optimistic than last week, it still does not provide much clarity for those wondering if Gordon will make his return.
Before his injury, Gordon and Williams were sharing the load in what can only be described as the definition of a split backfield. Before the game against the Chiefs, Williams only led Gordon by 37 rushing yards. And, no matter how well Williams performed, the Broncos seemed to be dedicated to getting Gordon the ball.
In Gordon’s defense, he has been quite good this year. The veteran back has 605 yards and 5 touchdowns on 135 carries. He’s also recorded 166 yards and 2 scores as a receiver, and his 7 total TDs lead the team.
Gordon and Javonte Williams have a salivating matchup
We will continue to monitor the daily injury reports to see Gordon’s designation throughout the week. Denver’s Week 14 matchup is against the Detroit Lions, and Gordon will likely work hard to be back on the field for this one.
The Lions are currently giving up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to RBs with an average of 26.85. They have allowed a whopping 1,292 rushing yards and 11 TDs. To compare, the Chiefs, who Williams just put up 102 yards on, were allowing 5 points less than Detroit before their matchup with the Broncos. If Williams could put up 178 total yards against the Chiefs, the most by a Broncos rookie since running back Clinton Portis in 2002, imagine what he and Gordon could do against Detroit?
The Broncos are desperate for a win
The Broncos are in desperate need of a win this week against the Lions. They have been up and down all season, which has resulted in them sporting a 6-6 record landing them 11th in the current NFL standings. However, the bright spot is that they are only one win behind the seventh-seeded Buffalo Bills in a crowded AFC playoff picture.
The team has had some impressive wins this year, including an absolute blowout of the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys and a convincing win over their AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers. But they have suffered from some duds thanks to inconsistent play from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Their game against the Chiefs was just another example of how their QB play has caused them to suffer from mediocrity. Denver outgained Kansas City 404-267 in total yards and did not allow QB Patrick Mahomes to throw a touchdown pass, which is not an easy task. Yet, 2 critical interceptions thrown by Bridgewater were the difference.
If they struggle against a Lions team coming off their first win of the season, it could spell the end for Denver’s playoff hopes in 2021.