Broncos CB Pat Surtain II Sends Message to Old Nemesis Ahead of Week 3

As a collective unit, the Denver Broncos have stoically refused to blame anyone other than themselves for throwing away the game against the Indianapolis Colts. It was a defeat that may prove pivotal come playoff time, and while it's lingered a bit this week at Broncos HQ, the team has to turn the page with the Los Angeles Chargers coming up on Sunday.  

Core Broncos leaders like cornerback Patrick Surtain II have taken responsibility for what happened in Indy. 

“We are highly motivated. I think we left the field knowing that wasn’t our best, and we all know that as a unit," Surtain said on Wednesday about the defensive struggles last Sunday. "Going into this week, knowing it is a divisional opponent, why not just put your best foot forward to have the best game we can possibly have going into this week? We are highly motivated."

Frame it as a timely wake-up call if you wish, but there's no doubt that the Broncos got punched in the mouth and came up short on the defensive side of the ball. Suffice it to say, Surtain and company are hoping that it all comes together in Week 3 vs. the 2-0 Chargers.

A Familiar Matchup

On that front, Surtain will renew respective hostilities with a familiar face in Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who returns to the AFC West after a brief sojourn in the NFC with the Chicago Bears. The Chargers re-signed the 33-year-old Allen because of the long-established chemistry he has with quarterback Justin Herbert.

“I respect him a lot. Good for him for going back to [Los Angeles]. I know him and Justin have a great connection going on over there," Surtain said of Allen. "It’s pretty cool to see him still at his age producing good numbers, becoming a reliable target as well. It’s something we will key on going into the week. I think they have different receivers with different traits, so that helps their offense a lot.”