Pat Surtain II changed the dynamic and showed that he is the best corner in the NFL

The Denver Broncos picked up their third straight win with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. Not only did the Broncos extend their current winning streak, but they also ended the eight-game winning streak the Raiders had against them.

The Broncos are now 3-2 and have gained momentum after the first month of the season. Could they make it to the postseason? Sure, but there is still a lot of football to be played.

After the game, Payton was pleased with his team’s resilience.

“It was obviously a good division win at home. It didn’t start well, but we recovered. The three things you can take with you and ball security on offense – there are a number of things that lead to success and winning a game,” Payton said.

Here are three observations from the Broncos’ win over the Raiders in Week 5.

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Change dynamics

Pat Surtain is the best cornerback in the NFL. It’s one of the reasons the Broncos named him the highest-paid corner in the league earlier this year. The ball doesn’t come his way that often, but when it does, he’ll make a play.

Against the Raiders, Surtain had the most incredible game of the day.

Raiders QB Gardner Minshew was on the verge of victory and, feeling pressure, tried to throw a pass into the end zone. Instead of going to his teammate, Minshew threw the ball to Surtain – and the veteran corner returned the ball 100 yards for the score. That play (and other bad throws) resulted in Minshew being benched.

Most importantly, Surtain’s play changed the Broncos’ momentum as they struggled offensively in the first half.

Payton loved talking about that big play after the game.

“There is no accelerating, he played a good game. He played really well. The significance of the play is that it is a 10-point play as they will probably at least kick a field goal where it happened. That was a huge game for us. At this point it’s suddenly 10-7. This game goes back and forth constantly. If you score on defense you win 80 percent of the time, and then there are three turnovers to zero. “Certainly it was a great game, at least a 10-point game,” Payton said.

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Identity discovered!

It’s clear that the Broncos are a defense-led team. It’s interesting that a Sean Payton team is a defensive team, but here we are. Payton is an offensive-minded head coach, but his offense faltered too often this year.

The offense didn’t get going immediately against the Raiders – but it did in the second half. I think they did that because they kept running the ball. While Payton likely wants rookie quarterback Bo Nix to fill the air with footballs, it’s best to take a more balanced approach right now.

With RB Javonte Williams playing better football in the last two games, the Broncos can run the ball effectively. Add in Nix’s efficient passing and you see the team forging an identity. The defense is playing at full speed and their special teams are among the best in the league. Simply put, the Broncos can give themselves a little more time on offense because the other two departments are so strong.

Quinn Meinerz knows that it takes all three phases to win consistently.

“I think we play complementary football. Our defense is playing incredible. As an insult, I think we’re finding our identity a little bit. Marvin (Mims) was great in the second leg. There were all three phases,” said Meinerz.

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Honoring the past

The Broncos wore their throwback jerseys and honored the 1977 team, and the win helped honor the players from the past who regularly wore those uniforms. The jerseys are some of the best in the league and many fans want the team to make them a permanent look.

That won’t happen yet, but what happened Sunday is that the team played to honor those who came before them. It would have been a travesty if the Broncos had been beaten by a hated rival while looking so good and wearing the jerseys of the past.

We haven’t seen this jersey and helmet combo since 2001 and the team looked great. It’s an even nicer victory because the Broncos also played good football.

Nix entered the stadium wearing a retro John Elway jersey – a tribute to the past rather than himself. After the game, he was asked about his choice of wardrobe.

“When I was growing up, he (Pro Football Hall of Fame QB John Elway) was my dad’s favorite quarterback. He’s a Bronco now and has done everything he can to lay the foundation for the guys that come after him and can play quarterback at a high level. With my father, this story where he was my father’s favorite player. It’s just two people that put me in a position to go out and be successful. It was a great day to pay tribute to those who came before you. (I) had it in the closet and wanted to use it,” Nix said.

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