Horse Tracks: Patrick Surtain II considered favorite for Defensive Player of the Year honors

With one game remaining, Denver Broncos cornerback is now poised as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Good morning, Broncos Country.

The Denver Broncos have one game left to earn their way to the postseason. It’s also one last opportunity for star cornerback Patrick Surtain II to make his case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

According to Bovada and several other outlets, Surtain is favored at -230 odds [or similar] to take home the honors. That’s a major swing from a few weeks ago when he was considered by some to be outside the top three. Perhaps his big game against Ja’Marr Chase was a reason for that.

In fifteen games this season, the fourth-year ballhawk from Alabama has 4 interceptions, one pick-six, and he leads the league with 132 interception return yards. He also has a forced fumble, fumble recovery, and has amassed 11 passes defended. There is no doubt he has had an All-Pro caliber season. Moreover, he will certainly be named a Pro-Bowler for the third time later today when those honors are announced.

If Surtain wins the award this season, he would be only second player in franchise history to earn the honor. A little trivia for you all. Does anyone remember of the top of their head who the other player was? You would have to go all the way back to 1978 to find out who. But longtime fans most certainly know—it was Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar. Perhaps this video early last year had already foretold how this was going to play out.

What do you think, Broncos Country? Do you believe Surtain will win Defensive Player of the Year? If not, who is more deserving?

As always—thank you for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.

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