Pat Surtain’s two fourth-quarter interceptions ensure return to meaningful December games for Broncos

Fully aware of the Broncos’ five-year playoff drought, constant change at quarterback and recent tradition of meaningless December football, new general manager George Paton presented a confident but realistic outlook when the team opened training camp on July 29.

“We want to be relevant in November and December,” he said. “But we have to do it on the field and we plan on doing that.”

Consider that part of Paton’s Plan accomplished.

The Broncos’ 28-13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday set them up for a December to remember, a December to erase the last half-decade of futility, and a December to bring excitement back to these parts.

Cornerback Pat Surtain II, Paton’s first draft pick, intercepted Justin Herbert passes twice in the fourth quarter — the first ended a scoring threat and the second turning into a 70-yard touchdown — to move the Broncos into a three-way, second-place AFC West tie with the Chargers and Las Vegas at 6-5, one game behind Kansas City.

Team Rollercoaster — three wins, four losses, two wins, one loss and one win — will be riding high going into next Sunday night’s game at Kansas City. Buckle up, folks, this could get fun.

“We seemed to bring the adversity on us,” coach Vic Fangio said of his team’s uneven play. “We just keep overcoming it. This is a resilient group.”

The Broncos overcame losing two more offensive linemen, playing as many as four rookies at one time defensively and a third quarter during which they ran three plays. The Fangio-called defense relied on a four-man pass rush to hold the Chargers to half of their 26-point scoring average.

The entire roster played like the season was on the line … which it was.

Safety Justin Simmons admitted the Broncos were thinking what everybody outside was saying all week: This was a win-or-else day. Win and the Broncos remained in the race. Lose and the uphill climb, already significant, became even more treacherous.

The Broncos could not fall to 0-2 in division home games and could not head to Kansas City needing a win to stay conscious.

“The message going in was, ‘This is it,’” Simmons said. “You hate to think about it like that. Our season was on the line. We had to win this game. Guys were playing with a lot of passion and energy.”

The urgency was on full display. The Broncos rushed for 147 yards, sacked Herbert three times, converted 72.7% of their third-down plays (8 of 11) and received two gigantic plays from Surtain.

The first interception: The Chargers faced a third-and-14 from the Broncos’ 23 early in the fourth quarter. Herbert stepped up in the pocket, but woefully underthrew intended receiver Jared Cook in the end zone.

“(Cook) ran the wheel (route) and the next thing you know, (Herbert) threw the ball to me and I had to make a play,” Surtain said.

Surtain knew exactly where his family was seated. Instead of posing for the cameras in the south end zone with his teammates, he made a sprint to the west stands and handed the football to his father, who was wearing a blue No. 2 Broncos jersey with “Surtain II” on the back.

“I always knew when the second pick came, they were going to get the ball,” the younger Surtain said. “It was a special moment for both of us.”

There was one special moment remaining.

The Broncos took a 21-7 lead after Surtain’s first interception when quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, playing with an injured right shin, threw a one-yard touchdown to tight end Eric Saubert.

On the ensuing drive, Herbert’s throw to the right flat went through the hands of running back Austin Ekeler and right to Surtain, who sprinted down the left sideline for the game-sealing touchdown.

It was the Broncos’ first interception return for a touchdown since 2018. According to the NFL, it is believed that Patrick and Pat Surtain became the fourth father-son combination to each have an interception return for a touchdown, joining Gil/Jairus Byrd, Dave/David Grayson and Clay Sr./Clay Jr. Matthews.

“Pat has great hands and great anticipation and both came in handy on those plays,” Fangio said. “The first one probably saved three points. The next one, they were in field goal range and it becomes seven points (for us). Two big swings in the game and two big, big plays.”

Two big, big plays that helped deliver a big, big win.

The Broncos have exceeded last year’s win total (5-11 record), exhibited an ability to overcome key injuries and now get a chance to exorcise the demon that is facing the Chiefs, who have won 11 consecutive games in the series.

Only the next month will determine if Sunday was a blip or the start of a fascinating stretch run. But at least we’re not talking about head coach/quarterback changes and where the Broncos will draft.

“Hopefully, we can keep playing meaningful games moving forward,” Fangio said. “We have six left and a lot of big games and we’re excited to be in the hunt.”

On to Kansas City

With the Broncos’ 28-13 win over the Chargers, only one game separates all four teams in the AFC West.  With Denver heading to Kansas City in prime time next Sunday, there’s a chance all four could be tied after 13 weeks.