Perhaps the most frustrating and disappointing position in all of fantasy football this year is the Denver Broncos' backfield. Typically, a Peyton Manning-led team is the fantasy promise land for RBs. After C.J. Anderson led all ball-carriers in fantasy points over the second half of last season, many expected that trend to continue. Instead, Manning has finally succumbed to Father Time and is struggling through one of the worst statistical seasons of his career (9-to-13 TD:INT ratio; 75.6 passer rating). Denver's offensive line, meanwhile, has been reshuffled several times due to injury and ineffective play. All told, Anderson and Ronnie Hillman have been unable to get it going on the ground this season.
If you handcuffed both backs and are wondering who to start this week, you're not alone. It's a decision many are struggling with.
"The running back situation in Denver has been a pain for fantasy owners this season, and the seesaw certainly had some movement in Week 9," ESPN Fantasy Football Insider Mike Clay wrote. "After trailing Ronnie Hillman in snaps during each of the previous two games, C.J. Anderson paced the unit against the Colts. Anderson was on the field for 26 plays, while 'starter' Hillman played 24. A 72-yard run by Hillman aside, the backs have been about even this season, but Anderson is a better blocker and the team's preferred option on passing downs. Both backs are borderline RB2 options against the Chiefs this week, but Anderson is the preferred play."
Anderson has failed to recapture that same dual threat ability he flashed last year. In eight games this season he has carried the ball 88 times for 315 yards (3.6 YPC) and one touchdown. He has also caught 15 passes for 109 yards. Hillman has been slightly more effective, rushing 92 times for 384 yards (4.2 YPC) and four scores, though he hasn't been much of a pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
Neither is an ideal option against a Kansas City defense that ranks 11th in rush yards allowed (805), rush yards per game (100.6), 14th in YPC (4.0) and seventh in rushing touchdowns (4). But if you have to choose one, Anderson is the better bet to see more playing time after Hillman's dud of a game last week.
