The Denver Broncos now hold a 4-3 record after a decisive 33-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 7, and their winning formula is becoming evident.
With one of the league’s top defenses—ranking third in scoring and fourth in yards allowed—the Broncos have relied heavily on their ground game in all four of their victories. They are 4-1 when they surpass 100 rushing yards as a team.
These performances have coincided with standout games from their lead running back, Javonte Williams, who has shined in three of their four wins this season.
Williams finished the game with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
“Friday flowers for #Broncos RB Javonte Williams, who was excellent Thursday night,” Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz posted on X on October 18. “Williams, who missed most of the 2022 season after tearing his ACL, LCL, and PCL, has fought his way back to re-establish himself as one of the NFL’s premier young backs.”
Williams’ 111 total yards from scrimmage tied for the second-highest of his career, per Stathead. He has hit that mark four times in his career, twice in 2021 and twice so far in 2024.
After a Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Broncos head coach Sean Payton expressed a desire to see more of rookie Audric Estime, though Estime only had five carries for 29 yards in Week 7 as Williams took center stage.
Javonte Williams Thrives with More Opportunities
Williams’ 88 rushing yards against the Saints set a new season-high and marked the third-best rushing performance of his four-year career, surpassing his previous 2024 best of 77 yards in Week 4 against the New York Jets.
His 6.29 yards per carry in Week 7 was also his highest of the season.
In three of the four games where he’s had double-digit touches, Williams has averaged over 4.0 yards per carry. Two years removed from his knee surgery, Williams is averaging fewer yards per game in 2024 compared to 2023, but his yards per carry have improved by 0.5 despite a career-low 10.4 carries per game.
He also had three receptions for 23 yards against the Saints, emerging from Week 7 as the team’s leader in receptions and ranking third in receiving yards. He is on pace to surpass his career-high in receiving yards per game by 4.7, currently averaging 23.7 yards per game.
Javonte Williams’ Strong Play Comes at Crucial Time
Williams’ recent surge in production couldn’t be better timed. His top three rushing performances of the season have all come in the last four games as he heads into Week 8.
This is especially important as Williams, the Broncos’ second-round pick in 2021, is set to become a free agent in 2025. Free agency has been tough for running backs in recent years, and Williams’ injury history could make it even more challenging.
Proving he is healthy and still the same dynamic runner he was before his knee injury is critical.
The fact that his best rushing performances have come in games the Broncos have won is also in his favor. However, securing a second contract with Denver after the 2024 season could still be an uphill battle. The Broncos have invested in their backfield, including rookie Audric Estime, who shares a similar physical style to Williams.
Williams’ experience and ability to contribute in the passing game could be the factors that help him retain his spot.