Jaguars coaches preparing for challenge of Broncos backfield 'two-headed monster'

When the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) enter Mile High Stadium to play the Denver Broncos (0-3) on Sunday, it will be no secret who they will have to stop on Denver's offense. While quarterback Joe Flacco was the big offseason addition, the Broncos offensive attack will rely on running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.

Neither running back has lit up the stat sheet this season, but they have demonstrated the ability to be a potent backfield duo that can threaten defenses in both the run and pass game.

"Both of them, which is kind of amazing, is they’re three and four in targets in the pass game, so they do a really nice job [on] first, second and third down of getting them the ball in space," Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash said this week. "Both of them are very athletic, they catch the ball well."

The Broncos are only averaging 3.9 YPC as a team with two rushing scores but have fed each back with carries and targets. Lindsay has 160 yards and two TDs on 3.6 YPC, but has also caught 12 passes. He ran for 81 yards and two TDs on 21 carries vs Green Bay. Freeman has 173 yards and 4.8 YPC with 10 catches on the year.

"[Philip] Lindsay has a little bit more juice I would say. [He] can take it to the house, where [Royce] Freeman is one cut, but his shoulders are going north and south and getting a lot of yards. He’s a powerful back," Wash said. "So you have to do reports and stuff each week, and I think they’re a two-headed monster with both of those backs; they’re very good.”

Through three games, the Jaguars run defense has been solid but unspectacular, ranking 17th in the NFL in rushing yards per game allowed (110 per game), but 10th in limiting opposing yards per carry (4.0).

For the team to be successful on Sunday, they will have to limit Lindsay and Royce. Lindsay in particular can hurt a defense and should garner respect, Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said.

"I like both of the running backs. I think Lindsay’s good, fast, quick. [Can] Cut, can take it to the house. Runs inside, outside. Think you have to get people around him, makes a lot of people miss in space. Can make the first guy miss, so we need a lot of people around him to go," Marrone said this week.

"I think he’s a really good all-around back. He catches well, runs inside, runs outside, breaks tackles. A lot of respect for him. Really good football player.”