In his first game replacing injured Broncos running back Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman went up against a Jets defense that at the time ranked in the top five against the run ... and turned in the best individual rushing performance for any Bronco this season, picking up 100 yards on 24 carries. In his second game replacing the injured Ball Week 7 against the 49ers, Hillman went up against a defense that ranked seventh against the run ... and ran for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
If you're like me, you didn't start him for either game because you didn't trust someone so unproven with a matchup so difficult. And if you're like me, you don't need to be convinced anymore.
Going against a Chargers defense in Week 8 that ranks in the middle of the pack against the run, Hillman looks like a must-start in Fantasy provided that Ball isn't ready to return from his groin injury. And even if he is, it may not be a deal-breaker. None of Ball's four games were better than the two Hillman has had.