ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Broncos welcomed Ring of Famer Steve Foley to practice ahead of Week 5, Head Coach Sean Payton asked the former safety how many interceptions he recorded in his career.
Foley, the Broncos' all-time interception leader, noted his 44 career picks — and that's when Payton turned to All-Pro Cornerback Pat Surtain II.
"I asked Pat where he was, and I said, 'Well, you need to get to work,'" said Payton with a laugh on Wednesday.
Surtain added two more interceptions to his career total — including a 100-yard pick six — in a win over the Raiders and then added an honor to his resume as he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
And while Payton and Surtain both said Wednesday that it's too early in the season to talk about awards like Defensive Player of the Year, Payton did acknowledge Surtain's high level of play.
"Man, he's playing lights out," Payton said. "… The play he made the other day was huge. He's obviously one of, if not the top corner in the league. He practices his tail off. Everything about him. He's a great teammate."
Surtain said he loved being able to "capitalize on the opportunities and make game-changing plays," but he also noted he will look to continue to improve as the season continues.
"I feel like I've got a lot more work to do," Surtain said. "I'm just looking to build and build and build and get better each and every week."
Surtain, though, did recognize that he hopes his dedication and on-field performance will allow him to join Champ Bailey in pro football's most prestigious club.
"That's the end mark for me, is to be a future Hall of Fame [selection], but I know I have a lot more work to do to get there," Surtain said. "Like I said, I'll just keep on working and honing in on my craft."
DUCK TALES
When Bo Nix takes the field Sunday for a matchup against Justin Herbert and the Chargers, it will mark the second time the two signal-callers have faced off.
In 2019, Nix made his first collegiate start as a true freshman quarterback for the Auburn Tigers against Herbert and Oregon. Nix threw a 26-yard touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining — to former Broncos draft pick Seth Williams, no less — to cap a 15-point comeback and earn the win for Auburn.
"It was a great head-to-head battle," Nix said Wednesday. "They had a great football team. I still remember them being one of the best defenses that I played. Justin had a great game himself. It came down to the wire, and it was just a really good college football game that day."
Nix got the chance to spend more time with Herbert after he transferred to Oregon, as Herbert's younger brother played alongside Nix for the Ducks.
"He would be back every once in a while," Nix said. "He came to a game or two. I was just able to be around him and talk and get to know him. … He won a Pac-12 championship and a Rose Bowl, so he's one of those guys you look up to playing at Oregon, and now he's been in the league for several years. [I've] been watching him, and he's been doing some great things. So it'll be fun watching him play live and fun seeing him again."
While Herbert told Los Angeles media Wednesday he hasn't seen much of Nix since entering the league, he did follow his Ducks over the last couple of seasons.
"It was awesome to see all their success at Oregon, especially his," Herbert said. "I've got nothing but respect for him."
FACING HARBAUGH
The Broncos will face Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh for the first time since he returned to the NFL, and Payton said Harbaugh is a "fantastic coach" who has found success in both the collegiate and pro games.
"Obviously his success speaks for itself both at the NFL level and the college level," Payton said. "I was excited he got a job in our league, but not so much in our division. He does a great job."
Payton said the turnover margin for Harbaugh-led teams stands out, and he also mentioned the balance Harbaugh's offenses maintain between the run and passing games.
"[The] turnover margin, it's off the charts," Payton said. "They protect the ball. They're smart. They're well-coached. They always have balance relative to running the football and throwing the football. … [Harbaugh does] all the things that are necessary to develop a team, and he's done that wherever he's been."
Nix has avoided throwing an interception during Denver's three-game winning streak, and he recognized the importance of protecting the football in a matchup between the league's top two defenses.
"This is going to be one of those turnover games," Nix said. "Who can win the turnover margin and who can protect the ball and who can cause takeaways? It's going to be important, especially for this game."
