This was a play Sean Payton liked, designed for the most reliable third-down and red-zone pass catcher on the Broncos roster.
Courtland Sutton zigged from the left side of the formation to the right late in the fourth quarter against the Eagles, toeing the line as Bo Nix’s first option. He usually was, in these situations. Third-and-8. Ball on Philadelphia’s 12-yard line. Two minutes left. But Eagles corner Cooper DeJean shadowed Sutton to the right side, and gestured come here to safety Reed Blankenship.
As Sutton broke off a slant, Blankenship veered over to double Sutton, and Nix shot only a split-second glance in his WR1’s direction before scrapping the play and taking a 1-yard loss.