With Trevor Siemian, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders all banged up, it seems the Broncos might turn to their veteran running back to help keep the offense afloat Sunday.
“That’s always the plan with Jamaal as we go forward in the season,’’ said Broncos head coach Vance Joseph. “He’ll get more and more touches. So, yes.”
It seems odd that Joseph says this was “always the plan” as Charles touches have actually decreased recently, only six in each of the last two games. However, it’s not to do with his production. On the season, Charles has 38 carries for 194 yards, good for a 5.1 average, and a touchdown. Those aren’t bad numbers, the only thing that’s bad about them is his lack of touches.
If the Broncos are set on giving him more touches moving forward, I couldn’t think of a better team to start him off against than the Chargers. I do like to over exaggerate when it comes to the awfulness of team’s defenses but I feel confident in saying that the Chargers defense can not stop the run. They’re ranked 28th against the run per DVOA and have given up the most total yards to opposing running backs by a wide margin (809 yards to the Jaguars’ 765).
Don’t forget, Charles had 10 carries for 40 yards back in Week 1 when the Broncos opened against the Chargers.
I’d still consider Charles as nothing more than a flex option this week but he could be in line for both a big game Sunday and a bigger role moving forward.
Also, for what it’s worth:
Jamaal Charles has forced 11 missed tackles on 38 carries.
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) October 19, 2017
C.J. Anderson has forced 13 on 82.