ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After the Rams devoured the Broncos this season, Todd Gurley made one last run. He jogged over to greet Denver rookie Phillip Lindsay. It was a difficult day for Lindsay, collecting 18 yards rushing and 48 yards on the ground. And yet there was Gurley offering praise.
"It meant a lot to me. He's a great back in this league," Lindsay said.
Gurley followed with a tweet about Lindsay's speed in the Broncos victory over the Steelers. In the NFL, sayings dominate: The eye in the sky doesn't lie. And players know players.
Lindsay is a blossoming star. He has the statistics, and starting Wednesday, the first of likely many honors to prove it. The NFL named Lindsay the AFC offensive player of the week after he went roadrunner beep-beep against the Bengals, posting 157 rushing yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns.
This is not common what he is doing. Lindsay becomes the seventh Broncos rookie to win the award and only the 10th undrafted rookie in NFL history to accomplish the feat. The last offensive player to pull it off was the Packers' Samkon Gado in 2005.
Lindsay is firmly in the NFL offensive rookie of the year conversation, though considered a longshot in a field that includes the Giants No. 2 overall pick Saquon Barkley and Cleveland's top selection Baker Mayfield.
Lindsay's numbers remain breathtaking. Per NFL research, his 6.08 yards per carry this season ranks third highest in a single season since 1970. Only Jamaal Charles (2010) and Barry Sanders (1997) have been better.
If you don't know who Lindsay is, then shame on you. He makes defenders disappear. Lindsay boasts 937 rushing yards, leaving him 167 shy of Dominic Rhodes' undrafted rookie record set in 2001 with the Colts.
"It's not about me," Lindsay after the 24-10 win over Cincinnati. "It's about the team. It's about family. It's always been like that for me. Give the credit to the offensive line. I am proud of those guys."
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Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.
