The Denver Broncos plan to start CJ Anderson at running back over Ronnie Hillman, but he will have to bounce back after two tough games to keep hold of his starting job. The Broncos won in Week 2 and now Peyton Manning has a solid matchup with Detroit and players like Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Owen Daniels are the best fantasy starters for the team.
The Broncos have started the season 2-0, but the team has not looked great on offense and Anderson has not been able to get things going as the number one running back. Head coach Gary Kubiak praised both Anderson and Hillman in the preseason and leading into Week 2, he said that both players would get chances to carry the load. According to the Denver Post, Troy Renck writes that Anderson "figures" to get at least "one more chance" to keep the number one job this week.
Through two games Anderson has just 56 yards rushing and he is averaging just 2.3 yards per carry. The Broncos have played two tough rush defenses in the Ravens and the Chiefs and now the team has the Lions in Week 3. The Broncos had confidence in Anderson after the way he stepped up last season and the team felt comfortable enough to release the disappointing Montee Ball in favor of Anderson and Hillman.
Peyton Manning had a better game in Week 2 than Week 1 and he will be looking to get into the groove this weekend and having Anderson improve his play will only help the passing game. Last season Anderson averaged nearly five yards per carry and down the stretch of the season he was an integral part of the offense. According to the Associated Press, Kubiak said that Hillman and Anderson will both "continue to play" snaps at running back leading into Week 3.
Hillman rushed for 34 yards against the Chiefs on nine carries and this season he has been slightly better overall through two games than Anderson, rushing for 75 yards. With Manning not getting any younger, the running game is even more important this season and if Anderson has another tough game, Hillman could be pushed into a starting role. Juwan Thompson is also on the roster and could get some looks, but Kubiak wants to give Anderson and Hillman the chance to get the rushing attack going for Manning.
The Broncos offense still has the potential to be as good as any team in the league, as they have a great one-two punch at WR with Thomas and Sanders. Sanders was huge last week with eight catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns and he was targeted 14 times in the game. Sanders and Thomas are great PPR options and they are strong starters for fantasy owners this week. Thomas also had eight catches last week and he added 116 yards and this season he has not found the end zone for the Broncos in two games after scoring 11 times last year.