James Wilson 
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is poised to take on a significant challenge this weekend as he faces off against Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Surtain previously limited Chase to just one catch for three yards during their first encounter in 2021, a game in which Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow managed only 157 passing yards.
“That was early in my career. Rookie year? Yeah, it was a good game,” Surtain reflected. “They came in with a high-powered offense, and we knew we had to eliminate the explosives and their top threat. Ja’Marr is a great player, one of the best receivers in the league.”
This week, Surtain and the Broncos’ defense will benefit from the anticipated return of second-year cornerback Riley Moss, who has been sidelined for a month due to a sprained MCL. Moss’s return would allow defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to revert to a primarily man coverage scheme, enabling Surtain to focus on Chase (who has recorded 108 catches for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns), while Moss could cover Tee Higgins (58 receptions for 727 yards and seven touchdowns).
“They have a lot going on offensively, so it’s going to be a good challenge,” Surtain said. “If we can eliminate them like we did that time, it would be great.”
Containing Chase could be crucial for the Broncos (9-6) as they aim to eliminate the Bengals (7-8) from playoff contention. Cincinnati must secure a victory to keep their postseason hopes alive, while the Broncos can clinch their first playoff berth since 2015 with a win or a tie on Saturday.
In their previous matchup in 2021, both teams were 7-6, but despite Chase’s struggles, the Bengals managed to escape with a 15-10 victory, which propelled them on a Super Bowl run. The Broncos, on the other hand, finished that season with a 7-10 record, marking the beginning of a streak of seven consecutive losing seasons—a trend they have broken this year.
Last Thursday, the Broncos missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot after squandering a double-digit lead in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite Coach Sean Payton emphasizing a run-heavy strategy—highlighted by the phrase “Run It!!” on his play sheet—the team only called 14 running plays following a successful opening drive that included four backs carrying the ball seven times for 43 yards, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown by Audric Estime.
With rain in the forecast for Sunday, the Broncos are expected to increase their rushing attempts as they prepare for the challenge posed by Chase and Burrow on the opposing sideline.
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