Mile High Report
After two straight road losses, the Broncos need to get back in the win column at home this Sunday.
Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos have their opportunity to put a tough loss behind them.
In the process, they keep the Broncos (5-5) hopes alive for a spot in the AFC playoffs. To do so, Denver must beat a good Atlanta Falcons team led by quarterback Kirk Cousins and first-year head coach Raheem Morris. Atlanta enters Sunday’s game in the Mile High City at 6-4 and has one of the best offenses in the NFL.
For Nix and the Broncos, turn the page and get a win at home.
Atlanta: Fifth in total offense (375.1 yards per game), 12th in rushing offense (124.7 YPG), fifth in passing offense (250.4 YPG), tied for 13th in scoring (23.8 points per game).
Denver: Twenty-fourth in total offense (303.7 yards per game), 20th in rushing offense (117.1 YPG), 27th in passing offense (186.6 YPG), tied for 22nd in scoring (19.7 points per game).
Atlanta: Twenty-fourth in total defense (352.8 yards per game), tied for 20th in rushing defense (129.4 YPG), 24th in passing defense (223.4 YPG), 20th in scoring (23.6 points per game).
Denver: Fifth in total defense (295.7 yards per game), seventh in rushing defense (103.5 YPG), 10th in passing defense (192.2 YPG), fourth in scoring (17.7 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
Save for the loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Nix and the Broncos offense has been fairly effective at moving the ball. Now it’s a matter of closing drives with touchdowns. Some form of the offense we saw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints would be ideal, but finishing drives with touchdowns will give Denver a great shot at winning on Sunday. — Ian St. Clair
Force Kirk Cousins into uncomfortable situations, like the back of a Volkswagen. Hit him, move him around, and just make his day miserable. Don’t let him get comfortable. — Adam Malnati
The Broncos’ rushing attack has been hit or miss in most games this season. It’s time to make that a focus and get it moving in the right direction. The Falcons’ defense is in the bottom 10 in the NFL in run defense. They are allowing opposing running backs to gain 4.5 yards per carry. The Broncos gave Audric Estime a lot of reps against the Chiefs, and I’d like to see that trend continue against Atlanta. Establishing the run will be important for the Broncos to control the pace of the game and give the defense some time to breathe. — Christopher Hart
The Falcons have a premier rushing attack that Kirk Cousins has used to open up an explosive passing game. The Falcons currently rank 5th in total passing offense thanks to that...
