ENGLEWOOD -- Get your popcorn ready for arguably the best one-on-one matchup of the NFL season.
"You've got the best in the game," coach Sean Payton said after practice on Thursday at Broncos Park. "And I haven't even told you what position. How often does that really happen?"
Of course, with a playoff berth within reach Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati, all eyes will be on Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain and Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Both are having NFL All-Pro caliber seasons with plenty of mutual respect.
"Obviously Ja'Maar, he's a great player," Surtain said earlier this week. "One of, if not the best, receiver in the league."
On Thursday, Chase told reporters in Cincinnati: "(Surtain) is a good corner. I've been going against him for years. We've been battling a couple of times before."
Chase enters Week 17 leading the NFL in catches (108), receiving yards (1,510) and receiving touchdowns (16). A league-high 722 yards after the catch is proof of explosive big-play ability with star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Surtain has limited opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 39.1 when targeted this season. A QB would have a higher rating (39.6) if they threw it into the ground on each pass, according to NFL on CBS. Surtain also has 11 pass deflections and four interceptions (one return touchdown).
Their playing history dates back to college at rival SEC programs -- Alabama (Surtain) and LSU (Chase) -- during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. They also met in Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season. As a rookie, Surtain helped limit Chase to one catch for three yards.
"Obviously, they've got a lot going on with (Cincinnati) on the offensive side of the ball with the quarterback and the receivers," Surtain said. "It's going to be a good challenge trying to eliminate them."
The Broncos (9-6) will clinch a playoff spot on Saturday with a victory in Cincinnati.
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The Broncos earlier this week released cornerback Levi Wallace and promoted running back Blake Watson to their active roster.
On Thursday, Watson reacted in a locker room interview with The Denver Gazette at Broncos Park.
"It's great to get back on the 53," Watson said. "I've been working hard for it and I'm glad that it finally came."
Last week, in a Thursday night road loss to the Chargers, Watson rushed four times for 10 yards. He also caught one pass for 13 yards. His lessons from the game tape?
"Just keep running hard. Be decisive and trust my o-line. I've got a lot of good guys up there," Watson said. "I just feel like I'm able to do everything. I've worked on my weaknesses a lot this offseason and throughout the whole draft process. I can always keep getting better in a lot of areas. I think my pass catching and vision are things that can work well for me."
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Briefly
Payton is preparing his team for potential rain and wind during the Bengals game. On Thursday, he said: "Everything from not wearing the (face) shields. They get fogged up. Understanding every player who wears gloves will have 10 sets. ... Special teams understanding coverage, wind (and) ball security." ... RB Tyler Badie (back) is questionable on Saturday against the Bengals. WR Troy Franklin (ankle), RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) and CB Riley Moss (knee) were full practice participants on Thursday and did not have injury designations in Week 17. ... Two Bengals players will miss the game due to injury: DE Sam Hubbard (knee) and DT Sheldon Rankins (Illness). TE Tanner Hudson (knee) is doubtful. Five Cincinnati players are questionable: OT Amarius Mims (ankle/hand), WR Tee Higgins (ankle/knee), WR Charlie Jones (groin), DE Joseph Ossai (illness) and S Geno Stone (illness).