Brock Bowers vs. Patrick Surtain
Since Brock Bowers exploded for 127 yards and three touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars, opposing defenses have adjusted when covering him.
Over the past few weeks, teams have deployed their starting outside cornerbacks to shadow Bowers throughout the game and have shied away from soft zone coverages that he’s dominated since arriving in the NFL. Bowers has drawn Pro Bowlers Denzel Ward and DaRon Bland to name a few top cornerbacks, averaging 4.5 receptions and 55.25 receiving yards over his last four games.
“We love the way he plays and the plays that he can make,” Pete Carroll said about Bowers. “So, it’s never like we’re holding off to throw to somebody else. That’s not the way this works. … We would like him to get close to 10 targets a game, and somewhere in there and more. We’ll take whatever we can get with him.”
With this considered, all signs point to reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain lining up across Bowers.
It’s something the Broncos defense has already successfully done, as Surtain limited the Raiders tight end to four catches on 10 targets for 38 yards in their Week 12 matchup last year in Allegiant Stadium. The Broncos cornerback returned to the field in Week 13 after missing three games.
While Surtain is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL right now, it still might not be enough against Bowers. The tight end had 63 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers. It’s worth noting, though, that in Week 10 against the Broncos, with Surtain out of action, Bowers totaled a season-low one catch for 31 yards.
“He’s a great player obviously,” Bowers said of the Broncos cornerback. “Big, strong, fast, athletic. … I’m excited for the matchup.”