The Denver Broncos’ best play from their 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week was a 54-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham and wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey both deserve praise for the score, but coach Sean Payton also pointed out an unsung hero on the play: fullback Michael Burton.
“If you watch that play and you guys will at some point I hope, watch Burton in the pickup,” Payton said after the game. “There’s times when we bring him on just from a physicality standpoint.
“He does a great job of picking up the A-gap pressure player, and it doesn’t seem like a lot, but what it did was allow ‘Stiddy’ to have a pocket to kind of climb. If you don’t get that pressure while it’s in the gap, then it’s a lot more difficult and the play doesn’t happen. I’d say [Burton’s] block was important.”
After that key block, Burton then ran down the field to deliver more key blocks to help Humphrey reach the endzone.
Here’s the play:
What a play. 🤯
📺: CBS | @LJ_Humphrey23 pic.twitter.com/kTqf8giXNb
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 31, 2023
Notice Burton, who lines up in the backfield with Stidham before delivering a key block, then bolts down field to continue blocking.
That kind of play exemplifies why Payton signed Burton during free agency last spring. Burton is scheduled to become a free agent again in March, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Payton bring him back for another season.
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