The Denver Broncos are headed into a high-stakes Divisional Round clash with the Buffalo Bills, and if they want to punch their ticket to the AFC Championship, it’s going to take more than just keeping up with Josh Allen and the Bills' explosive offense. They’ll need to control the tempo, win the field position battle, and-most importantly-lean on the ground game. That’s where RJ Harvey comes into the picture.
Harvey, a rookie still looking for his first 100-yard rushing performance, might be the X-factor in this one. With J.K.
Dobbins sidelined again, the backfield belongs to Harvey-and this matchup gives him a real shot at a breakout game. ESPN analyst Ben Solak sees it coming, predicting Harvey will finally crack the century mark on the ground as the Broncos look to chew up clock and keep Allen off the field.
Now, let’s be clear: Harvey hasn’t hit 100 yards yet in his young career. His season-high is 75 yards, so this would be a leap.
But the opportunity is there, and it’s a juicy one. The Bills’ run defense has been a soft spot all season, and it showed again last week against the Jaguars.
Jacksonville gashed Buffalo for 154 rushing yards on just 23 carries-an eye-popping 6.7 yards per attempt. Travis Etienne Jr. averaged 6.7 yards per carry, and Bhayshul Tuten broke off 51 yards on just four touches.
That’s not just a crack in the armor-that’s a full-on vulnerability.
If the Jaguars had stuck with the run, they might’ve walked away with a win. That’s the lesson Denver needs to learn heading into this weekend: stick with the ground game, even when the temptation to match Allen throw-for-throw creeps in.
The Broncos have the offensive line to make it work. They’ve been quietly solid up front all year, and if they can open up lanes for Harvey early, it’ll allow them to control the pace and keep their defense fresh for the fourth quarter.
This isn’t just about stats-it’s about strategy. The best way to slow down a quarterback like Josh Allen isn’t always with exotic blitzes or daring coverage schemes.
Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense-one that stays on the field, eats up clock, and finishes drives. That’s the kind of game Harvey can help deliver.
So, while the spotlight might be on the quarterbacks, don’t be surprised if this game turns on the legs of a rookie running back looking to make his mark. If Harvey gets rolling and hits that 100-yard mark, the Broncos just might find themselves one step closer to a deep playoff run.