What can’t Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II do? He’s a two-time Mile High Sports magazine cover athlete, and now he’s taken home his first-ever AFC Defensive Player of the Month award for November.
Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II named AFC Defensive Player of the Month
For the first time in his career, Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the AFC Defensive Player of the Month following his November performance, and this latest accolade now gives him more credence toward a potential Defensive Player of the Year case.
In the month of November, Surtain was targeted 17 times on 140 coverage snaps (12.1%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He allowed nine total catches for 55 yards in four games, and the longest catch he allowed in that stretch was only nine yards. Surtain also did not allow a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage throughout the month while also racking up 12 tackles and two passes defensed.
He becomes the fourth Broncos DB to win the award, joining Champ Bailey, Deltha O’Neal, and Dennis Smith in that category. Surtain also becomes the fifth former Alabama defensive back to win the award, joining the likes of Landon Collins, Trevon Diggs, Eddie Jackson, and Xavier McKinney.
When you look at Surtain’s overall impact and production this season, it’s easy to see how valuable he is to the Broncos and the success of their defense. Even though Denver’s defense surrendered over 200 yards to Jerry Jeudy this past week on Monday Night Football, Surtain only allowed two catches on three targets for 20 total yards when he was in coverage against his former Crimson Tide and Broncos teammate.
This season, Surtain has given up 24 catches on 39 total targets for 207 yards total, holding quarterbacks to a 60.7 total passer rating when looking his way, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The future is bright, and luckily, Denver has him locked in long-term.
Up next, Defensive Player of the Year?