–Broncos quarterback Case Keenum broke into the NFL in 2012 as an undrafted free agent out of Houston, spending time on the Texans’ practice squad before moving on to the St. Louis Rams, back to the Texans. He spent last season with Minnesota before joining Denver over the winter as a free agent. In his recently published biography, Keenum wrote that Texans head coach Bill O’Brien once told him he’d never be more than a third-string quarterback. O’Brien has denied making that remark, though Keenum says he has used it as a motivating factor in advancing his career.
–The Broncos are getting production from a trio of young players. Rookies Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman and Courtland Sutton have combined for 1,321 yards from scrimmage this season. It is the fifth most by a trio of rookies through eight games since 1970 NFL merger.
–Linebacker Bradley Chubb, the Broncos’ top draft pick, has come on strong after slow start. He leads all rookies with seven sacks. He had a three-sack game against the Rams in Week 6, tying the Broncos’ single-game record for rookie.
–Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. is one pass defensed shy of tying Steve Atwater (78) and Tyrone Braxton (78) for third most passes defensed by a member of the Broncos since the statistic began to be kept in 1994.
BY THE NUMBERS: Despite its youth and inexperience, the running back corps for the Broncos has emerged as one of the team’s greatest strengths. Denver’s rushers are collectively averaging 5.3 yards per carry, tops in the league. Overall, the Broncos’ rushing attack ranks seventh in the 32-team league, averaging 133.1 yards per game. Rookie running back Royce Freeman has been bothered by an ankle injury that sidelined him last week and his status remains questionable for Sunday’s game against the Texans. But fellow rookie Phillip Lindsay and third-year pro Devontae Booker have continued the productive rushing trend for the Denver.
