Renck: The rookie quarterback has given the Broncos reason to Bo-lieve. Bo Nix has shown he is ready to start. But is this team ready to win? Nix in coach Sean Payton’s scheme provides confidence, but for the Broncos to shock the AFC their top players must shine. The list starts with former All-Pro Patrick Surtain II. We know who will be QB1, but for their CB1 to ascend to another level, he needs CB2 to be functional. So, Sean, the question is simple: Can Riley Moss play well enough for teams to challenge Surtain?
Keeler: Hey, I’ll admit it — when Packers backup QB Sean Clifford went right after Moss on the opening drive of the game, I held my breath for as long as that bad boy was in the air. Then I remembered it was Sean Clifford, and exhaled right about the time the ball got overthrown. Two things still worry me about that play in particular, though: One, Green Bay wideout Malik Heath found some separation on Moss, and Heath ain’t a burner — he reportedly ran a 4.64-second 40 at the combine last year. Two, Patrick Mahomes is very, very much not Sean Clifford.
Troy Renck: Surtain has been too good for his own good the past two years. With the Broncos struggling, opposing quarterbacks generally shy away from the fourth-year star. They just refuse to throw in his direction when weighing the risk vs. the reward. His interceptions have dropped from four to two to one last season. He didn’t live up to his own expectations in 2023. If Moss can hold his own — he has gained traction over the last week, but an overthrow kept him from getting beat deep on Sunday’s first drive — it should create opportunities for Surtain to make more plays. Otherwise, he becomes Aaron Judge getting intentionally walked and removed from the outcome.
Keeler: Sean Payton doesn’t need Moss to be Juan Soto here — or even Giancarlo Stanton. I’m thinking more like something between Austin Wells and Jose Trevino, with enough pop in the bat to make the guys who pitch around the big bats pay for their disrespect. Hasn’t happened yet, though: The CB2s with the most snaps opposite Surtain have recorded, and I kid thee nay, one interception (2023), one interception (2022) and zero picks (2021) while Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson patrolled center field. Surely, Moss can clear a bar that low after a running start. Surely.
Renck: Surtain is more polished than Pledge. His technique is straight out of an instructional manual. But this season, I want to see Surtain step out of his comfort zone. He is emerging as a leader, so I want him to talk more on the field. And the Broncos need it with free safety Justin Simmons in Atlanta and Moss inexperienced on the opposite side. More importantly, I would love to see him take chances. He can plaster in coverage and has great anticipation and instincts. I would love for him to bait quarterbacks, and make additional plays on the ball. The more picks he gets, the more games the Broncos will win. You can believe that.
Keeler: With Moss, I’m still in wait-and-see mode. The early returns are promising, though, and if you don’t Bo-lieve us, Bo-lieve Surtain himself, who said this past Sunday that Moss “has stepped up big time this year. I’ve seen his growth from last year to this year. It’s pretty awesome to see the work he puts in on the field, off the field (and) in the film room. It’s very exciting to see Riley’s growth.” If the Broncos’ CB2 is good enough for PS2, he’s good enough for me.
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