The Denver Broncos head into their Week 14 clash with the Las Vegas Raiders not just with playoff implications on the line-but with a shot at the AFC’s top seed still in play. And while the Raiders are stumbling through a tough season, they still boast one of the league’s most dynamic weapons in tight end Brock Bowers. Slowing him down is priority No. 1 for Denver-and they’ve got a familiar, elite answer for the job: Patrick Surtain II.
Now, Bowers isn’t just any tight end. He’s a rare breed-part receiver, part bulldozer, and a full-on matchup nightmare when he gets into space.
But the Broncos have already shown they know how to deal with him. In their last meeting, Denver held Bowers to just one catch for 31 yards.
That’s no small feat, considering how often he’s been the focal point of the Raiders’ offense.
So how did they do it? Enter Surtain.
With Surtain back in the lineup, the Broncos are expected to stick with what worked: putting their All-Pro cornerback on Bowers. It’s a bold move on paper-cornerbacks don’t typically shadow tight ends-but Surtain isn’t your typical corner. He’s long, physical, and smart, with the kind of technique that allows him to match up with just about anyone on the field.
This isn’t the first time Denver has used this strategy, either. Last season, Surtain lined up across from Bowers on 15 snaps and gave up just one reception for nine yards. That kind of lockdown performance isn’t just impressive-it’s rare when you’re talking about a player of Bowers’ caliber.
The logic here is simple: the Raiders’ offense runs through Bowers. With limited weapons elsewhere, taking him out of the equation forces Las Vegas to beat Denver with secondary options-and that’s a bet the Broncos are more than willing to make.
Don’t expect Surtain to shadow Bowers on every single snap-defensive coordinators like to mix things up-but in key moments, especially on third downs and in the red zone, look for No. 2 to be glued to Bowers. That matchup could very well decide how this game swings.
For the Broncos, this is about more than just one game. With postseason positioning on the line, their ability to neutralize a top-tier weapon like Bowers could set the tone for the stretch run. And with Surtain leading the charge, Denver’s defense looks ready for the challenge.