Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton can still make the 2020 Pro Bowl.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a second alternate for the 2020 Pro Bowl so he’ll need two AFC receivers to drop out or to be unable to participate in order to reach the All-Star game.
The conference’s four Pro Bowlers at receiver are Jarvis Landry, Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill and DeAndre Hopkins. Sutton needs either two of those players to drop out or for one player to drop out and for the AFC’s first alternate to not be available as a replacement.
It’s unclear who the AFC’s first alternate is at receiver. Patriots receiver Julian Edelman would make sense but that’s unconfirmed.
Allen and Landry aren’t in the playoffs so unless one of them suffers an injury, both of those players seem likely to play in the Pro Bowl. Hill and Hopkins are still alive in the playoffs, though, making them candidates to play in Super Bowl LIV.
If the Chiefs or Texans reach the Super Bowl, Sutton will need just one more WR to be unavailable to make the Pro Bowl as an alternate.
Here are the Broncos’ top offensive plays from the 2019 NFL season.
The Denver Broncos’ official website put together a highlight video of the team’s top offensive plays from the 2019 NFL season. You can probably guess which play is ranked No. 1.
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton deserves more praise for his blocking.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was voted a Pro Bowl alternate this year after a breakout second season in the NFL. Most fans likely voted for him based on his 72-catch, 1,112-yard season.
The league’s players and coaches also noticed and recognized Sutton’s brilliant blocking. Last weekend, the NFL’s “Checkdown” Instagram page shared footage of Sutton blocking during the 2019 season:
Sutton plans to improve this offseason for an even bigger 2020.
“The only way you get [better] is work,” Sutton said on Dec. 29 after Denver’s season finale. “It doesn’t just happen. You just kind of have to go put the work in like I did last offseason and continue to grow, continue to become a better version of myself. Ultimately, the goal is continuing to improve on my craft and continue to improve on adding to my arsenal of weapons that I have and just growing.ā
Sutton was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft out of SMU. Over the last two seasons, he has caught 114 passes for 1,816 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sutton’s blocking for teammates has led to plenty of yards and touchdowns as well.
Despite a 7-9 finish, the Denver Broncos had some great plays and performances in 2019. Here are the team’s highlights from last season.
The Denver Broncos finished the 2019 season with a 7-9 record, missing out on the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
But it wasn’t all bad, particularly for a team that started the season 0-4. The Broncos began to learn how to win tough games as the season went on and with a new, confident quarterback in Drew Lock leading the show, there is plenty to be excited about.
The focus now will turn to the 2020 season with the start of free agency and the draft, where the Broncos can begin to find the pieces to becoming a force next season.
But first, here is one final look at the 2019 season with some awards for the team.
Best offensive player: Courtland Sutton
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
It was great to see Phillip Lindsay become the first undrafted running back in league history to eclipse 1,000 yards in each of their first two seasons, but the offensive player that really stepped up for the team this season was Sutton.
Sutton stamped himself as a true No. 1 receiver for the team following the trade of Emmanuel Sanders and routinely made big plays for his quarterback.
Sutton finished the season with 72 catches for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns. As a rookie last year, he caught 42 passes for 704 yards and four touchdowns — his numbers ballooned in a big way in Year 2.
His star is bright and it seems the team has definitely found its top pass catcher for years to come.
Defensive player of the year: Justin Simmons
(Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
This was a tough category to make a definitive call, because Shelby Harris absolutely deserves some votes after having an incredible year. But the year Simmons had could not be ignored either.
Simmons led the team with four interceptions and 15 pass deflections. He also tied for second on the team with 93 tackles while also adding 2.5 tackles for losses.
When the defense needed a big play, Simmons was there to make one more often than not and now, he’s put his name on the board with the best young safeties in the league.
The Broncos look to get to 6-9 on the season when they host the Detroit Lions in Week 16.
It’s Week 16 and the 2019 season is slowly coming to a merciful end for both the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions. But that doesn’t mean each team is ready to roll over and not put forth their best performance on Sunday.
The Broncos have gone 0-3 against the NFC North this season, but the Lions come in at 3-10-1 and have one of the worst records in the league. They are also down to their third-string quarterback.
The Broncos, despite being just 5-9, have much more to be excited about with the recent play of Drew Lock. With a strong final two games, Lock can give the team’s fanbase much to be excited about heading into next season.
While this will be a battle of non-playoff teams, there will still be reasons to watch.
How will Lock rebound?
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Lock struggled last week during the Broncos’ 20-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but because it was a snowy day at Arrowhead Stadium and the field conditions were less than ideal, we’re giving the rookie a pass.
The key word there is rookie because there will come a time when he will need to be great despite the conditions. However, because his previous two starts were solid, we’ll look at last week’s game from a far less critical standpoint.
However, at home against a poor Lions team, he really needs to respond in a big way.
Will players snubbed of the Pro Bowl make a statement?
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
The Pro Bowl rosters were released this week and only one player from the Broncos was voted in, that being Von Miller. Several players on the team can be considered “snubs”, most notably Courtland Sutton and Justin Simmons.
Will either player look to ball out in this game as a way to send a message that they should have been included on that roster?
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton was snubbed by Pro Bowl voters and linebacker Bradley Chubb is tweeting on his behalf.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has played with three different quarterbacks this season and has managed to rack up over 1,000 receiving yards despite often being the No. 1 focus of opposing defenses.
Asked by media members about the snub on Wednesday, Sutton simply said, “It is what it is.” Two days later, the receiver took to Twitter to thank those that did vote for him.
“I havenāt had a chance to thank everyone that took the time to vote for me for Pro Bowl,” Sutton wrote on Friday. “Although we didnāt make it, there are always positives. Iām going to continue to grow and develop my game while also continuing to have fun with the process. #AllLove #ThankYou.”
Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, hilariously quote-tweeted Sutton’s message with a “translation.”
Here’s how Sutton stacks up against the WRs that did make the Pro Bowl.
Player
Yards
YPC
20+yd REC
TDs
Courtland Sutton
1,019
16.2
18
6
Jarvis Landry
1,018
13.3
17
5
Keenan Allen
1,046
11.6
14
5
Tyreek Hill
727
14.8
10
7
DeAndre Hopkins
1,142
11.5
16
7
As a second-alternate, Sutton will need two players to drop out to reach the Pro Bowl. Or, one player could drop out and if the first-alternate is unable to play in the game, Sutton could also make it that way.
The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT.
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a Pro Bowler in the eyes of running back Phillip Lindsay.
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was the only Denver player named to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster this week. Safety Justin Simmons, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, nose tackle Shelby Harris and defensive end Derek Wolfe were all snubbed. Sutton is a second alternate, so he still has a chance to reach the All-Star game.
Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, who was voted to the Pro Bowl last year as a rookie, said Sutton is an All-Star in his eyes.
“I texted Courtland and I told him that no matter what, heās a Pro Bowler,” Lindsay said Wednesday. “You go out there, you get double-coverage and you get 1,000 yards like that man did, youāre a Pro Bowler. You donāt have to have someone tell you that.
“Thatās just like someone saying they tag you and this is what you are. Nah. You go out there and you show it. That manās a Pro Bowler. Heās an All-Pro and he is going to continue to show it.”
Sutton has caught 63 passes for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns through 14 games this season. To make the Pro Bowl, he will need two of the AFC’s receivers to drop out of the game. The conference’s All-Stars this season are Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill, DeAndre Hopkins and Jarvis Landry.
The NFL announced AFC and NFC rosters for the 2020 Pro Bowl on Tuesday evening and only one Denver Broncos player made the cut. Fans, players and coaches each accounted for one-third of the voting.
Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller made the roster despite ranking fifth among AFC linebackers with seven sacks this year. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton is a second alternate, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Safety Kareem Jackson and returner Diontae Spencer are third alternates.
Sutton ranks fourth among AFC wide receivers with 1,019 receiving yards and his 18 catches of 20-plus yards rank first. Jackson became just the third player in NFL history to total 10 tackles, return a fumble for a touchdown and intercept a pass in a single game in Denver’s 38-24 win over the Texans last week.
Broncos safety Justin Simmons and nose tackle Shelby Harris were snubbed.
Harris ranks first among all defensive linemen with seven pass breakups and second among interior AFC defensive linemen with six sacks. Simmons ranks second among AFC strong safeties with four interceptions and his 84 tackles rank third.
Cornerback Chris Harris, running back Phillip Lindsay and tight end Noah Fant were also overlooked. Lindsay is 151 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. Fant ranks fifth among AFC tight ends with 548 receiving yards.
Last year, Harris, Miller and long snapper Casey Kreiter played in the All-Star game. Lindsay was also voted to the Pro Bowl but was unable to play due to a wrist injury.
The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The game will be simulcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC and Disney XD. Tickets to the game start at $45 on Ticketmaster.
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton is feeling confident going into Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.
The last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs, Peyton Manning was Denver’s quarterback. That’s right, the Broncos haven’t beaten Kansas City since Sept. 17, 2015. Since then, the Chiefs have won eight straight games against Denver.
“We have to change that,” Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay said Wednesday. “Thatās not what weāre ā this organization for a long time has been on top. We need to get back to that. If you want do that, you have to beat the Chiefs.
“Right now, the Chiefs have been on top of the division for a long time, so we need to find a way to win this game and start a streak for ourselves. Thatās not the easiest thing, but itās doable. At the end of the day this is NFL football and we just have to go out there and play our game.ā
Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who is having a Pro Bowl-level season, took Lindsay’s confidence a step further.
“Weāve struggled against the Chiefs the past eight times,” Sutton said. “If we go in and ā not āifā ā when we go in and take care of business in Kansas City, itās going to definitely shake up the division a little bit.
“People are going to start putting us in that conversation of a team that can win the division. Like you said, the Chiefs have been running it for a while and itās upon us to start the way. Why not this next game?ā
Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton returned to his home state to face the Texans on Sunday.
Sunday’s game in Houston was a homecoming game for Broncos safety Kareem Jackson, who spent the first nine years of his career in Houston. Some fans might not have been aware that it was also a homecoming game for wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who was born in Brenham, Texas.
āMan, it was amazing coming back home playing in front of the family,” Sutton said following a 38-24 win. “I actually played at NRG Stadium back when it was Reliant Stadium still back when I was high school. Itās an amazing atmosphere and it was cool to be able to come back to Texas and play in front of family and friends that came back to Houston from Brenham.”
Sutton had a modest game by his standings, catching five passes for 34 yards. He was pleased to get a win, though, and he was happy about Jackson having a big game.
“It was really cool to be able to have that experience and to get this win,” Sutton said. “But, Iām really happy for Kareem because the dude plays his butt off every weekend. We all know that he was here last year and everything and he wanted it really bad. He didnāt talk about it a lot this week, but we all knew and we wanted to come out here and put up a really good game for him and his homecoming.ā
Sutton now has 59 catches for 940 yards and six touchdowns this year.
