LAS VEGAS — Rookie running back RJ Harvey played a major role in the Denver Broncos’ 24-17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, posting a career-high 100 scrimmage yards on 23 touches. The performance included a notable play early in the game when Harvey broke free from a tackle by Jamal Adams to secure a first down.
“That was tremendous balance by RJ on that play,” said Head Coach Sean Payton after the game.
The Broncos scored their first opening-drive touchdown since Week 2 and did not trail during the game. Harvey’s efforts contributed to this, as he rushed for 75 yards on 17 carries and caught six passes for an additional 25 yards. He was particularly effective against defensive fronts with eight or more defenders, registering the most successful runs against stacked boxes since Derrick Henry in 2022.
“Every week, it’s just going to continue to get better,” Harvey said. “My confidence is growing. It’s going to be great things coming soon.”
Tackle Mike McGlinchey noted Harvey’s versatility: “He did a little bit of everything for us today. Blocked in protection well, he caught the ball well and he ran it well. RJ’s coming into form, which is huge for us. We need all hands on deck as we move forward to really, really important football. RJ’s taken a huge stop forward, and it’s really helping our football team.”
Quarterback Bo Nix also highlighted Harvey’s multi-dimensional contributions and pointed out that he became only the sixth rookie since 1990 with at least five rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns in his first season.
Harvey’s work helped Denver surpass 100 rushing yards for the first time since Week 9, marking their best overall rushing performance since Week 8 with a total of 152 rushing yards. This allowed Denver to nearly double Las Vegas’ time of possession and sustain several long drives.
The game also marked Denver’s first time topping the 100-yard rushing mark since J.K. Dobbins’ injury earlier in the season.
“He’s growing up quick because of the injury to J.K.,” Payton said.
Harvey added his ninth touchdown of the season during Sunday’s win, giving him the most scrimmage touchdowns among rookies this year.
“He can do so many different things and do them well,” Nix said. “I thought he ran the ball very hard today, was hard to tackle. He had a few plays to where he stayed on his feet after contact. He always does a good job out of the backfield. I’ll always say that’s one of his greatest traits. He’s really starting to get it. He just understands things. He’s really not having a whole lot of mental errors.
“He’s just playing and just doing his job and doing it at a high level.”
