The Denver Broncos‘ rushing attack took a big hit when J.K. Dobbins went down with a foot injury in November.
RJ Harvey, the team’s second-round rookie, is a talented player and a productive receiver out of the backfield, but he doesn’t have the experience or productivity of Dobbins. He rushed 15 times for 28 yards in the regular season finale, while Jaleel McLaughlin had a more productive day with six carries for 41. Meanwhile, Tyler Badie rotates in for pass blocking.
This week, Denver’s backfield has a huge opportunity against a Buffalo Bills defense that ranked fifth-worst in the regular season, allowing 136.2 rushing yards per game. Last week, the Jacksonville Jaguars totaled 154 rushing yards against Buffalo.
Despite a dip in consistent production since the Dobbins injury, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was full of praise for the team’s running backs going into the NFL playoffs.
“They’ve been phenomenal,” Nix said. “They’re younger players, but they’re not playing like younger players. RJ is playing exceptional ball. Down the stretch, he’s just got better and better. Just the things that he’s been able to do after contact, gaining yards. He’s been special.
“Jaleel has been a good spark plug for us lately. He’s running the ball very efficiently. T.B., he’s done a great job in protection, done a great job out of the backfield and then with the things we’re asking them to do. So between the those three, they’re going to get the job done, and they’re going to do it with great attitudes. They’re going to do it with an explosive opportunity all the time. I think we’re in good hands at that position even though we lost one of our better ones.”
Harvey has totaled 896 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns, leading all rookies in 2025. After an underwhelming end to the regular season, the 24-year-old running back will look to make a big impact in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs when the Broncos host the Bills on Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL playoffs: Broncos RB RJ Harvey has a big opportunity against Bills
