The Denver Broncos [https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/broncos] have been looking for a receiver [https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/broncos/news/broncos-play-comeback-kings-again-in-28-24-thriller-win-over-chiefs]who can make big, explosive plays [https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/broncos/news/broncos-linebacker-tackles-a-cause-that-s-deeply-personal]in the middle of the field, and they found one on Sunday in their 28-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday But it wasn’t a receiver who did this. Running back Jonah Coleman proved he was the player the Broncos have been looking for as he took a short pass over the middle from quarterback Bo Nix and turned it into a game-changing play late in the fourth quarter. We already knew Coleman was going to play a bigger role against Kansas City, but this isn’t exactly how it was supposed to go. The hope was that Coleman could run between the tackles and maybe bounce some runs outside for big gains. Instead, he slipped into the RJ Harvey role for a play to do something the Broncos desperately needed. Harvey has become an accomplished route runner who fits the Denver offensive design, but Coleman provides a very different talent with his ability to simply run over and around people out in space in the short passing game. This is also the second week in a row in which the running back was a difference-maker. He was a force against the Arizona Cardinals, and he helped unlock Nix and free him from his struggles by getting the available three or four yards to help keep Denver out of third-and-long situations. The player who was supposed to be doing this is currently in a state of pure denial. Running back J.K. Dobbins said last week that he didn’t think he was losing his job and the Broncos were “saving” him for late in the season, when the job loss part is exactly what’s happening. There are broader ramifications to Coleman’s rise as well. There’s been speculation that the performance of the rookie running back could steer the Broncos away from a trade for running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, which would save Denver considerable draft capital. The Broncos are coming into a softer part of their schedule, so it will be interesting to see how they use Coleman going forward. They’re on the road against the Carolina Panthers, then home against the Las Vegas Raiders, with the latter especially representing a particularly good opportunity for a big day. The Broncos biggest challenge going forward for the short term will be the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently punching well above their weight at 6-2. By that time, Jonah Coleman could easily be firmly entrenched as their lead back.
