Clayton: Broncos talented secondary offers hope vs. Chiefs

Two things that happened last Sunday offers hope for the Denver Broncos when they play the Kansas City Chiefs.

First, cornerback Pat Surtain II had two interceptions and won AFC Defensive Player of the Week. The other positive is that cornerback Ronald Darby is coming off his best game.

While you have to credit the coaching staff for putting them in the right spots, so much of Sunday’s success has to go to general manager George Paton. Paton signed Darby because he thought he was the best cornerback available in free agency in his opinion. Darby has only given up 322 yards passing and two touchdowns. Surtain has had only 46.8 percent of the passes completed against him.

That’s important because the Broncos are playing Patrick Mahomes and the fast Chiefs wide receiving corp. They also have to figure out a way to stop tight end Travis Kelce, who has burned them for years. Vic Fangio talked about the problems created by Mahomes against a defense.

“Well, it’s just he’s more capable of doing a lot of things most aren’t, which is why he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league,” Fangio said. “People have to know he’s got the no-look pass. He’s got the different arm angles. His feet don’t have to be set all the time to make good throws. It’s just unique to him and that’s why he’s so good.”

The Broncos are fortunate to have the most talented secondary in football, but this will be the supreme challenge.