October 28th 2024.
Courtland Sutton's hands were shining with that familiar sparkle once again. But it wasn't just his hands that were impressive, his arm was pure gold.
Speaking to reporters after his first 100-yard receiving game in almost two years, the veteran Broncos wide receiver shared his excitement about a play they had been practicing all week. He explained that he had a good feeling about it and was glad to see it finally come to fruition on the field. However, he also acknowledged that the success of the play depended on the flow of the game and whether or not it would be called by the coaches.
It was with just 4:29 left in the game against the Carolina Panthers when Sutton's number was called. The Broncos were facing a fourth-and-2 situation on the Panthers' 43-yard line and head coach Sean Payton made the bold decision to go for it. And it wasn't just any ordinary play, it was a well-rehearsed trick play.
Quarterback Bo Nix received the snap and quickly pitched it to Sutton, who was stationed on the right of the field. This was the wide-receiver screen play they had been working on all week. Sutton took a few steps back and waited for the perfect moment to throw a pass to fullback Michael Burton, who was wide open on the right hashmark. The result? A 28-yard gain and a successful fourth-down conversion.
Sutton was thrilled to have the opportunity to not only catch a pass, but to also throw one and get Burton involved in the game. He praised Burton for his hard work and how he often goes unnoticed on the field. For Sutton, it was a cool moment to be able to contribute to the team's offensive performance in such a unique way.
The game against the Panthers also marked Sutton's first 100-yard receiving game since the second week of the 2022 season. He finished the game with eight catches for 100 yards, but it wasn't an easy feat. He had already racked up 93 yards by halftime and it took some time for him to reach the century mark. In fact, it wasn't until there were just 2:21 left in the game when he finally hit the 100-yard mark. And even that moment came with a bit of a hiccup.
As the Broncos were on the verge of scoring at the Carolina 9-yard line, Sutton caught a pass from Nix and attempted to push his way into the endzone. However, the Panthers' defense had other plans and caused Sutton to fumble the ball, which was recovered by the Panthers at their own 2-yard line. This led to a silver-lining touchdown for the Panthers, making the final score 28-14 in favor of the Broncos. But Sutton's performance and role in the game was no laughing matter for head coach Sean Payton.
In a post-game interview, Payton expressed his frustration with players making excuses for mistakes, stating that there is no room for that kind of attitude on his team. On a more positive note, Sutton joined an elite group of Broncos players who have recorded 100 or more yards receiving and 25 or more yards passing in the same game. He is now the fourth player in franchise history to achieve this feat, with the previous three being Al Carmichael, Rod Smith, and Emmanuel Sanders.
But Sutton's name stands out even more as he is the only player in Broncos history to have accomplished this twice. The first time was in a game against the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, where he not only had five catches for 122 yards, but also completed a 38-yard pass. And now, in 2024 against the Panthers, he has added another 100-yard receiving game to his record, along with a 28-yard pass. With a grin, Sutton joked that he is now part of the "club of one."
It's clear that Sutton's versatility and skill on the field make him a valuable asset to the Broncos. And while his passing stats may not be the most impressive, he has proven that he can make an impact in multiple ways. As for Sutton, he's just happy to contribute to the team's success and is looking forward to more opportunities to showcase his abilities.
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