ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the wake of a tough loss, there's an opportunity ahead.
On Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium, the Broncos will battle the Los Angeles Chargers — and could fly back to Denver leading the AFC West.
"This is a big-time game," cornerback Pat Surtain II said Wednesday. "Obviously, a divisional opponent. Win this game, and we're first in the division. That's a big mark that we want to hit, especially early on in the season. It's always good to win those divisional games early on to set you forward for the rest of the season."
Both Surtain and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said Head Coach Sean Payton emphasized the opportunity for the Broncos this weekend, as Denver would jump ahead in the standings with a victory.
And from tackle Mike McGlinchey's perspective, it's particularly critical for the Broncos to earn a win given the way the Chargers have started the season. Denver's division rival earned wins over the Chiefs and Raiders to start the year, and the Broncos will try to prevent them from a clean sweep to kick off the division schedule.
"There's certainly an elevated sense of awareness of what's at stake here," McGlinchey said. "I've never seen a schedule open up the way that they've opened up with three division games. All of a sudden, if they beat us this weekend, they're 3-0 in the division.
"… We've got to do everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen, and we're ready for the challenge."
As the Broncos have discussed their goals for the season, they've repeatedly emphasized that finding success begins in the division.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton said he's come to understand the importance of division games during his career — and he has seen a number of games in both this rivalry and against the Broncos' other AFC West foes.
"I love when we get a chance to play these divisional games, because I've been in this division my entire career, so I understand the significance of the AFC West," Sutton said. "I feel like we play some of the best football in the NFL in this division. It's always fun to be able to go out and compete against the quality of talent that we have in this division."
Sutton's six career touchdowns against the Chargers are tied for his most against any opponent, and he's made some acrobatic plays against Los Angeles during his career. His one-handed diving grab in Denver in 2024 was simply his latest big moment against the Chargers.
The Broncos, as a collective, made a slew of plays early in last year's game at SoFi. Denver jumped out to a 21-10 first-half lead and seemed on the verge of clinching a playoff berth before the Chargers stormed back for a 34-27 win.
"It's going to be a tough battle," quarterback Bo Nix said Wednesday. "We're going to have to play well in all three phrases to get the job done. We feel confident. Especially after going there last year and not being able to finish, we want to go over there and start the same way we did — and this time just finish the football game."
On Sunday in Los Angeles, Nix, Sutton and the Broncos will look to make good on that chance.
"We have an opportunity to be able to make a statement Sunday," Sutton said. "It's upon us to be able to take advantage."
