Pat Surtain's Mindset Ahead Of Broncos Showdown Against Panthers

The Denver Broncos are riding high after a 28-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend. 

That win gave Denver a big boost and put Sean Payton's team in first place in the AFC West, which is a positive sign after a sluggish start to the season. 

The defense has done its part, and the offense has improved slightly ever since Payton took play-calling duties away from Davis Webb. 

On Sunday, the Broncos travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to face the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. 

The Panthers are coming off back-to-back losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which came by a 43-13 score, and the Green Bay Packers, with that one being a much closer score. 

Despite the Panthers struggles and the Broncos riding a four-game winning streak, defensive back Pat Surtain II revealed his mindset for this showdown. 

"I think the main focal point is new week, new focus, new opponent," Surtain said, via Aric DiLalla of Broncos.com. "Every week presents [a] challenge. Obviously, we've got a good team coming up on the road, so we know how tough that is."

Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen also said the Panthers are a "hell of a team" and with pretty much the same roster from the group that won the NFC South last season. 

Plus, having to travel to the East Coast isn't easy, especially since the Broncos haven't gone East of Denver since Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

A win on Sunday would give Denver its third streak of at least five wins since 2023 and would be a huge boost heading into the bye week. 

The Denver offense has scored a total of 58 points over the last two weeks, and that comes after scoring just 54 points in the previous three games combined, so there is a lot going right offensively for the Broncos. 

On the defensive side, they allowed 24 points, but the Chiefs always can score points, so take that as you will. 

A lot of Carolina's success hinges on the arm of quarterback Bryce Young. He has hit a rough patch lately, as he has thrown three interceptions combined over the past two games, and he is dealing with an ankle issue going into Sunday's contest. 

Surtain is right: It's a new week and a new challenge. This might be an easy game to overlook, especially with the bye week coming, but the Broncos going into the bye with a 7-2 record would be massive for their chances of winning another AFC West title.