Former UCF standout RJ Harvey gave the Denver Broncos another reminder of why he matters in multiple ways on Thursday night, breaking through for his first touchdown of the season while continuing to pile up catches that have already put him alone in franchise history.
Harvey’s score came the same way so many of his red-zone touchdowns did last season: out of the wildcat at the one-yard line. He took the direct snap, drove through the goal line and helped push Denver out to a 14-3 lead.
The night itself wasn’t especially loud for the Broncos offense. Harvey finished with 25 rushing yards on six carries, and he again led the team in receiving with three catches for 31 yards. Even so, his role keeps growing as a dependable outlet for quarterback Bo Nix, especially out of the backfield.
That passing-game value has become Harvey’s calling card early this season. He has 23 receptions, which still lead the team, and he remains Denver’s second-leading receiver behind former Miami Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle by a slim margin.
His best receiving performance so far came in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, when he was a perfect 10-of-10 on targets for 68 yards. That game featured plenty of yards after the catch, including a standout fourth-quarter sequence when Harvey slipped into the left flat, grabbed a five-yard pass, absorbed contact from four 49ers defenders, broke a tackle and turned it into an 18-yard gain.
That day also landed in the record book. Harvey’s 10 receptions were the third-most by a Denver running back in a single game in franchise history.
The rushing numbers have been modest to open the season, but Harvey’s work as a pass-catcher has given Sean Payton another dangerous option to deploy. And over his first 20 NFL games, Harvey’s 67 catches now stand alone at the top of the Broncos’ franchise rankings, moving him past Hall-of-Fame tailback Terrell Davis.
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