Revenge Game: Why J.K. Dobbins is Set to Make a Statement vs. His Former Team

When a player gets the chance to go up against their old team, you can almost always expect a little something extra. That’s the situation today for JK Dobbins as he faces the Chargers, and the narrative sets up perfectly. Dobbins has had to deal with injuries in the past, he’s had stretches where things didn’t break his way, and now with this new opportunity, every game is meaningful—especially one where he can show his former team what they’re missing. These are the type of spots where players tend to rise, not just because of motivation but because coaches understand how much it means and are usually willing to lean on their guy in those moments.

What we’ve seen so far this season is that Dobbins is getting the majority share of the carries for the Broncos. He’s clearly established himself as the lead back, and his workload has been consistent. His usage has hovered right around this range every week, and the offense seems comfortable relying on him to set the tone. That’s critical when you factor in how this game is likely to play out. If the Broncos keep it close—and I expect them to come out with urgency—then the run game will stay alive all game. That gives Dobbins a pathway to not just his usual workload, but potentially a little more if the emotions of this matchup carry over to the play-calling.