Broncos sending three as starters
The Broncos’ resurgence on defense and special teams this year netted the franchise a trio of starters in next month’s Pro Bowl.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II, safety Justin Simmons and rookie wide receiver and return specialist Marvin Mims Jr. were each named starters Wednesday in the NFL’S unveiling of its all-star game rosters. Mims’ inclusion is as a return man.
Surtain, the star thirdyear player, was a unanimous selection as a firstteam All-pro last year and is in line for similarly lofty recognition this year.
He put together one of his most dominant outings of the season Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he lined up across rookie receiver Quinton Johnson on 32 of the 34 routes Johnson ran (16 in press coverage) and allowed two catches for 20 yards.
Surtain has consistently not only done quality work against opponents’ best receivers this year, but he’s given coordinator Vance Joseph a foundational block upon which to tailor each game plan. He also was a Pro Bowler last year.
Simmons missed time during training camp and early in the season with a groin/hip injury but once he hit full health after the first four weeks, the Broncos’ defense took off. That’s not a coincidence. Simmons continues to play as one of the best safeties in the NFL in his eighth season and has logged three interceptions so far this year.
It is his second Pro Bowl nod — the other came in 2020 — and he’s also been named a second-team AllPro three times.
Mims, of course, is in his first professional season but quickly turned himself into one of the most dangerous returners in the game. He took a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown Week 3 at Miami and has been dangerous almost every time he fields a punt.
His 17.4-yard punt return average is the best mark in the NFL among players with at least 10 chances. Perhaps his best work came in a Week 10 Monday night win at Buffalo, where each of his three punt returns went for 18 yards or more and set up each of the Broncos’ three touchdown drives in an eventual 24-22 win.
Mims also averaged 26.3 yards per kick return.
The Broncos also have a pair of third alternates for the Pro Bowl in right guard Quinn Meinerz and fullback Michael Burton.
Purdy, Tua named starting QBS
Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa were selected to their first Pro Bowl as the starting quarterbacks for their respective conferences.
It’s the first time the two starting QBS are first-time picks since the 1999 season when Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner were chosen.
Purdy was one of nine players picked from the San Francisco 49ers, who clinched the NFC’S No. 1 seed. He was joined by edge rusher Nick Bosa, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, running back Christian Mccaffrey, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Fred Warner and tackle Trent Williams.
Baltimore ( 13- 3) and Dallas ( 11- 5) each have seven Pro Bowl players.
Quar terback Lamar Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith and kicker Justin Tucker were picked from the Ravens, who secured the AFC’S No. 1.
Qua r t erba ck Da k Prescott, punter Bryan Anger, kicker Brandon Aubrey, cornerback Daron Bland, wide receiver Ceedee Lamb, guard Zack Martin and edge rusher Micah Parsons were selected from the Cowboys, who can clinch the NFC East title with a win on Sunday.