The Lead
While Javonte Williams' explosive 31-yard run provided one of the top highlights of Week 4 across the league, he has proved elusive and displayed his angry running style week after week. So it should come as no surprise that Williams leads the league in forced missed tackle rate, according to Pro Football Focus.
With a forced missed tackle rate of 37% on the season, Williams has forced 17 missed tackles through four games, second only to Browns RB Nick Chubb, who has forced 18.
Williams' ability to consistently run angry and churn out yards after contact should be a huge help to the Broncos going forward as they look to regain offensive momentum. If his performance vs. Baltimore is any indication, Williams appears determined to get into the end zone more often — no matter who he has to drag in with him.
Williams' performance also has placed him among PFF’s top rookies through four weeks, as Michael Renner slotted him at No. 13 in a new rookie ranking.
"Williams continues to be near-impossible to bring down on first contact," Renner wrote. "He's broken two tackles on eight receptions and 17 tackles on 46 carries this year. His run against the Ravens in Week 4 was one of the most impressive we've seen all season."
Below the Fold
The preseason quarterback competition in Denver may have helped prepare the Broncos offense for their Week 5 matchup as the team heads to Pittsburgh with questions looming at QB.
Starter Teddy Bridgewater is in the concussion protocol after a nasty hit knocked him out of the first half of the Ravens game on Sunday. Until Bridgewater is cleared, the Broncos' starting QB vs. the Steelers remains up in the air — if Bridgewater is unable to play, it will be backup Drew Lock who takes the reins vs. Pittsburgh.
Luckily, the Broncos' offensive starters are already familiar with Lock, who split snaps with Bridgewater through training camp and preseason. The QB competition created a familiarity and comfortability with both QBs, preparing the offense if Lock has to step in at QB.
"It's the same approach we had in camp," TE Noah Fant said. "We didn't know who the quarterback was going to be. We're comfortable with both of them."
No matter who starts under center for Denver this Sunday, members of the Broncos offense believes they can be successful.
"We're used to throwing with both, used to having both in the huddle," Fant said. "I think we're in a good position with either one of them."
The familiarity and trust that was built between the offense and both QBs over training camp could be hugely important for Denver if Bridgewater is unable to suit up on Sunday. If Lock is the starter, the offense is prepared to stand behind him and come away with a win.
"Whoever the guy is, we're going to rally behind him and do what we have to do," Williams said.
