Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey announced his arrival to the league in Week 14. He paced the backfield in Week 14, with 17 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. The next running back had four carries. Harvey added six receptions on six targets for 25 yards as well. All told, he totaled 23 touches for 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. The performance caught the eye of Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
The Rise of RJ Harvey
He said, “I think the more reps he gets and the more experience he gets, what’s in his body is going to be easier for him to play at that kind of level. I think your point is well made. It’s just experience and reps and we value that. As he’s getting more touches and more experience and more consistency and getting those carries, he’s just going to keep getting better and better. I was really impressed with what he did this last game, and I feel like he’s just going to continue to grow and we’re really excited about where he’s going.”
Since fellow running back J.K. Dobbins’ injury in Week 10, Harvey, a starter round pick, has totaled 53 touches — carries and receptions (17.6 touches per game). Week 14, however, was the first time the latter parlayed the opportunity into triple-digit yardage (100 scrimmage yards). If Lombardi is right about Harvey “getting better and better” down the stretch, the latter is a league winner in fantasy football. First up for Harvey is the Green Bay Packers in Week 15.
The Packers’ defense is allowing the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game to opposing offenses (101.4). So, every yard will be earned by Harvey. After that, the Broncos play the Jacksonville Jaguars. The latter allows the fewest rushing yards per game to opposing offenses. Then, in the fantasy championship, the Broncos play the Kansas City Chiefs, allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game to opposing offenses.
An unstoppable force meets an immovable object, the next three weeks. Harvey, though, is up to the challenge, according to Lombardi. The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, the Broncos’ Week 18 opponent, are middle of the pack at stopping the run, allowing 109 rushing yards per game to opposing offenses (No. 14). Screenshot this: It’s wheels up for Harvey in the fantasy football playoffs (Weeks 15-17).
