There’s an obvious candidate for the Denver Broncos MVP this season, and people can’t stop talking about him.
In a year that’s been mainly disappointing for the team, cornerback Patrick Surtain II has managed to help the Broncos maintain some relevancy.
For Surtain, it’s a lot more than just spectacular statistics.
Each week, he is continually been tasked with covering opponents’ WR1s. Despite that, Surtain has only allowed more than 12 yards in two games. He also hasn’t allowed a single receiving touchdown this season.
Patrick Surtain 🔒⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JuKTiJtYUu
— PFF (@PFF) October 29, 2022
It’s not just the fans that Surtain has managed to win over. The number of analysts and players that have given him praise has continued to grow each week.
Pro Football Focus recently gave him a top 3 grade among cornerbacks at 86.6.
🔒🔒🔒 pic.twitter.com/J8Gqp2YENI
— PFF (@PFF) November 3, 2022
ESPN writer, Bill Barnwell, named Surtain in his top 3 candidates for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“With apologies to [Sauce] Gardner and Jalen Ramsey, no cornerback is playing better right now than the second-year superstar in Denver,” Barnwell wrote. “Per Pro Football Reference, Surtain is allowing only 4.0 yards per target, which ranks behind only James Bradberry among cornerbacks. NFL Next Gen Stats suggest Surtain has allowed only 0.6 yards per snap, which is the third-best mark. Teams don’t like targeting Surtain, and when they do, they don’t get much.”
Another source of admiration came from former Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller.
Miller was a recent guest on The Richard Sherman Podcast and gushed about the second-year corner.
“If not by the end of this year, mid-way through the next year, he’s going to be the best cornerback in the game — just in my opinion.”
Miller even called himself, “The president of the Patrick Surtain Fan Club.”
"[Patrick Surtain] is going to be the best corner in the game" -Von Miller 🔒 pic.twitter.com/y5hAKjhW6Y
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 1, 2022
It’s not just Surtain who’s playing lights out. As a unit, the Denver defense has been remarkable.
Sports Info Solutions placed them at number one on their defensive efficiency rankings list going into Week 10.
In one-score games, the Broncos have the best second-half EPA/play at -0.333 yards. Unfortunately, the opposite is true for the offense, as they have been the worst in the same category with just 0.246.
EPA/play in 2nd half, game within one score:
1. Bills: .081
2. Raiders: .056
3. Cowboys: .056
4. Seahawks: .054
5. Colts: .052EPA/play allowed in 2nd half, game within one score:
1. Broncos: -0.333
2. Vikings: -0.206
3. Bengals: -0.196
4. Jets: -0.168
5. Chargers: -0.161— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@SpielbergerBrad) November 9, 2022
After beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, the Broncos will look to continue to kick off a win streak on Sunday when they face the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans currently have the second-to-last pass offense in the league, which should make it a cakewalk for Mr. Surtain.