The Denver Broncos play the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the playoffs this week. Ahead of that, Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II addressed the media. He spoke about getting his first taste of the playoffs last season, but he said this season is different. The Broncos are looking for their first playoff win since the 2015-2016 Super Bowl-winning season.
Pat Surtain II on What He Learned Last Season
Surtain II said, “That it’s a tournament for a reason. It’s do or die. I think last year, it was our first taste of it going into the playoffs as a Wild Card team, but now we have home-field advantage, which is different. It also reminds me to not take anything for granted, because it’s football at the end of the day. NFL football. We have to definitely prep the right way, prepare the right way and not take this thing for granted.”
Surtain II is fifth in PFSN’s NFL CB Impact Metric, while the Broncos’ defense is first in PFSN’s NFL Defense Impact Metric. This week vs. the Bills is interesting for Broncos fans, though, because the former doesn’t have a standout wide receiver for Surtain II to lock down. Since the Broncos’ defense doesn’t prioritize linebackers, he may end up covering Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid.
In addition, it’ll be interesting for Broncos fans to see how much Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph decides to blitz Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The latter’s mobility and pocket presence may allow him to dodge sacks. And with the defense’s backs facing the QB, Allen may be able to accrue several yards on the ground this week.
Surtain II added, “Earlier on we talked about it, this is probably the last time that this whole team is going to be together, knowing how the league works. I feel like for this moment here, for all the marbles and stuff like that, we all have to buy in and understand that.”
Elsewhere, the Broncos want Bo Nix “to be aggressive” vs. the Bills, and he has to turn the “field goals into touchdowns.” The Nix-led offense entered the red zone thrice in Week 18 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers and settled for field goals all three times.
