The Denver Broncos are 8-5 and under Sean Payton and to his promise, the culture has shifted and the team is now ready to contend for a playoff run.
Championship runs call for championship players, and ESPN highlighted 102 players across the NFL and what they excel at. While the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson were highlighted, ESPN named Bronco players Pat Surtain and Nik Bonitto as two players who have an expertise in press coverage and the quickest first step (subscription required for link).
“Surtain has high-level technique — including his footwork, hands and eyes — to lock down wide receivers as a press corner or when playing off the ball,” Matt Bowen wrote. “Surtain has three interceptions and seven pass breakups.“
On Bonitto, Bowen added: “Bo plays with juice off the ball, which creates opportunities to get on the edges of blockers in a hurry. His 11 sacks are the second most in the league. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Bonitto’s 0.75-second average get-off speed ranks fifth among players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps.”
The Broncos had a bye over the weekend, and as the playoffs near, we can be sure to count on Surtain and Bonitto to make an impact when they face off against the Indianapolis Colts when they return to action in Week 15. A win would be a great birthday gift to yours truly.