Breaking Down Phillip Lindsay's Big Day vs. the Browns

Phillip Lindsay was once again a whirling dervish vs. the Browns in Week 9. How did he manage to average more than 10 yards per carry?

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Week 9 was one heck of a game from the Denver Broncos' stud running back. Phillip Lindsay got through holes cleanly and quickly, which lead to some big gains. 

Yes, the blocking upfront was a huge help, but Lindsay showed vision and his shiftiness to avoid tacklers, taking advantage of the good blocking.

There were three big runs in particular that are worth analyzing, and we are going to do just that.

Play 1: 3:40 | Second Quarter | Working in Unison

Situation: 1st-&-10

Denver is in 11 personnel and the blocking upfront is excellent for Lindsay. WR DaeSean Hamilton comes across the backside and seals the edge, while the tight end and the right tackle sealing the inside. This gives Lindsay a huge lane, and all he has to do is make one linebacker miss. That linebacker actually goes outside and is late to read Lindsay’s cut, which puts him out of position.

Once Lindsay got past the linebacker, he was out of there. A couple of bad angles from the defensive backs, and Lindsay was able to pick up 40 yards. The Broncos run blocking has been inconsistent all season long, but they really opened up the way for Lindsay here.

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Play 2: 1:06 | Third Quarter | Untouched

Situation: 1st-&-10

With the Broncos in 21 personnel, the Browns are ready for a run with seven in the box and one player just outside of it. It is a counter run, where FB Andy Janovich and Lindsay first start left, then cut back to the right. LG Dalton Risner is also pulling, which makes both Janovich and Risner the lead blockers.

LT Garett Bolles, C Connor McGovern, and RG Ron Leary shut things down at the line of scrimmage. TE Andrew Beck makes an outstanding and key block to keep the hole open for Lindsay. Beck’s block also allows Janovich and Risner to make blocks on the second level.

Risner and Janovich make their blocks on the two linebackers, which springs Lindsay. He has a good chance for the touchdown, but he has one more defensive back to elude. WR Diontae Spencer comes up and did just enough to keep Lindsay clean. Everyone did their jobs, executed and got Lindsay into the end zone barely touched, if touched at all.

Play 3: 2:36 | Fourth Quarter | Wild Horses

Situation: 2nd-&-9

This last play is a direct snap to Lindsay out of the 'Wild Horses' formation and the blocking upfront does its job. Denver needs a first down to seal the game and they are able to get it. The fake to Royce Freeman got the Browns defense to collapse right, even for a split second, which gave Lindsay plenty of space to the outside.

The blocking of Bolles needs to be highlighted. He had a bad game, but his blocking on the previous play and this one really stand out, especially this one. Bolles gets hands on the defensive back, and uses positioning to block out the linebacker. TE Noah Fant, meanwhile, runs step for step with Lindsay as the lead blocker.

This play worked just how they needed it to. The Broncos got the first down, which is all they needed to close out the upset victory. 

However, if WR Courtland Sutton was able to maintain his block for just a half-second longer, there is a good chance Lindsay is taking this one to the house. The reason for that is, if the block was maintained, Lindsay wouldn’t have needed to cut it outside as far. This would have gotten him going north-south a little quicker and probably seen him outrun the linebacker.

The Takeaway

Phillip Lindsay can hurt defenses. He has quick cuts, vision, heart and a surprising amount of power. However, he has struggled at times this year and it isn’t all on him. 

Denver needs their blocking to be more consistent upfront, and if they get that, Lindsay could really take over games for the Broncos. 

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.