In two games against the Denver Broncos last season, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver totaled 242 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain was in coverage on Adams for some of that production, but not all of it. Ahead of their showdown with the Raiders on Sunday, Denver decided to have Surtain trail Adams more often in Week 1.
Buy Broncos TicketsThe result was a huge drop in Adams’ production — the star receiver was limited to 66 yards on six receptions. With Surtain in coverage, Adams caught just two passes for 11 yards on five targets.
Surtain broke up more passes (three) than Adams caught against him.
Patrick Surtain allowed just 2 receptions for 11 yards on 5 targets to Davante Adams as the nearest defender in Week 1.
Surtain recorded 3 passes defensed, a career-high.#LVvsDEN #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/5sOYJiMe2F
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 10, 2023
Unfortunately, Las Vegas picked on the cornerback across from Surtain, second-year defensive back Damarri Mathis. Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers had a big game with nine receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns, most of which came against Mathis in coverage.
Surtain is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, but the Broncos need another quality CB to start across from him. Perhaps rookie Riley Moss can step into that role after he returns from an abdomen injury.
