Denver Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain continues to dominate.
After grabbing two interceptions and recording a 100-yard pick-six in a 34-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Surtain is well on his way to plenty of accolades this season.
“Pat’s got my vote for Defensive Player of the Year,” defensive lineman Zach Allen said after Sunday’s victory.
Through the first four weeks of the season, Surtain covered DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Mike Evans and Garrett Wilson and he allowed just eight receptions for 88 yards and no touchdowns.
Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams missed Sunday’s game with a calf injury (and trade demands), but Surtain still had a big impact on the game, helping cover tight end Brock Bowers.
Brock Bowers vs. non-Surtain Broncos defenders: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 84 yards
Brock Bowers vs. Patrick Surtain II as the nearest defender: 2 targets, 2 INT
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 6, 2024
Surtain’s pick-six against the Raiders stopped Las Vegas from at least scoring a field goal, which would have given them a 13-3 lead.
“He made a good play,” coach Sean Payton said after the game. “He made a real good play. The significance of the play is it is a 10-point play because they are probably at a minimum going to kick a field goal from where it happened at.
“That was a huge play for us. At that point, all of a sudden now it is 10-7. This game constantly goes back and forth. When you score on defense, you win 80 percent of the time, and then three turnovers to none. Certainly, it was a huge play, at least a 10-point play.”
It was a game-altering play from the 24-year-old cornerback.
“That was huge,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “That was probably the play of the game, a big momentum shifter. I was sitting right there with Davis [Webb] and the guys on the bench. [I] saw him catch it and kind of how their offense was set up, I didn’t think anybody was going to make a tackle, so I kind of just stayed put, and watched it from the jumbotron and enjoyed everybody celebrating.”
Later in the game, Surtain grabbed a second interception.
Fittingly, Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey was in the house for Alumni Weekend, so he got a front-row seat to PS2’s performance.
“That was pretty legendary to say the least,” Surtain said of meeting Bailey during pregame. “Having a guy like Champ come out there and watch and bring such good energy. It’s expected out there when you have a Hall of Fame player like that come and watch you.
“I had to capitalize on the opportunities I could get. I had to make that pick-six happen and got another blessing with another pick as well too, so that jersey swap was legendary. That’s something that I have always wanted to have.”
The Broncos hosted more than 120 former players at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday as part of the team’s Alumni Weekend festivities.
“It means a lot,” Surtain said of playing in front of the team’s former greats. “Every time legends come through, we want to put out a good impression and we want to bring that winning culture that they brought to this organization. To have that energy and to have that aura that they brought is pretty amazing. It was a special day today seeing a bunch of legendary guys on the field cheering us on and I know we were poised for success.”
Surtain is well on his way to becoming a legend himself (Bailey has already said he expects Surtain to become a Hall of Famer). Winning a Defensive Player of the Year award would certainly improve PS2’s resume, and he appears to be a front-runner after five weeks of play.
[vertical-gallery id=620142]