The Denver Broncos weren't supposed to play this way.
Coming into Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, Denver's running game was expected to be nonexistent.
Besieged by injuries, they turned to rookie fullback-turned-running back Peyton Hillis, fresh-off-the-practice-squad running back P.J. Pope, and re-signed journeyman running back Tatum Bell.
With the way Atlanta played defense last week against New Orleans' pass offense, there was good reason to believe the Falcons' defense would hold the lead.
Think again.
While the Falcons' players denied it, they seemed to lack their typical enthusiasm. Their mode of operation all season long has been to jump to an early lead with patient play from the offense and let the defense do the rest. Incidentally, that defense hadn't given up a first quarter touchdown—until Sunday.
Denver struck first, doing exactly what was expected of them. The running game was relied upon little as Cutler spread the ball around to different receivers (six ended the day with a reception). However, Hillis made the most of all 10 of his running attempts, for 44 yards, rushing straight through the middle of the Atlanta defense on his second attempt for a touchdown.
The Falcons answered with two field goals and a handful of confusing gimmick plays. They were moving the ball well and it made little sense as to why they chose to run the Wildcat, utilizing a direct snap to the third-string running back on one play and dangerously lining up the franchise quarterback in the slot on another.
In the second quarter, after a missed field goal by Denver, the Falcons' offense found its spark with the reliable Ryan-to-White combination.
In one of his better moments of the day, Matt Ryan scrambled to escape a pass rusher and passed to Roddy White, who made a great play after the catch, breaking a tackle before going down at the 10-yard line.
The offensive line opened up a huge hole on the left side on the next play that running back Michael Turner burst through for nine yards and a touchdown.
Heading into the half, it seemed that the Falcons' offense had found its rhythm and the defense was doing what was expected, not allowing a lot on the ground (19 yards in the first half) and preventing the big play through the air.
It turned out to be a tale of two halves.
The second half introduced a grittier and scrappier Broncos team to Atlanta.
Denver shocked everyone when they came out running in the latter half. The Falcons' defense was particularly shocked and said as much after the game.
Cornerback Dominique Foxworth said, "They definitely relied on the run and safe short passes, which is something that we weren’t ready for."
Denver gained 39 yards on the ground on their opening drive of the second half, which culminated with Hillis' second touchdown of the day.
The Broncos seemed to suddenly believe they could beat Atlanta at their own (running) game.
Defensive end Elvis Dumervil said about his team's resolve in the second half, "...no one gave us a chance in this game. All the media, including USA Today, all said we didn’t have a prayer. But you know, Coach Shanahan is a great coach and he rallied us all. We’ve got a lot of guys out, but we didn’t make any excuses."
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about 1 month ago
Daniel,
I appreciate your article. This was a surprise to the NFL but we Broncos fans will take it. The Falcons are still good and have nothing to be ashamed of. Please read my article on the Broncos/Falcons game if you have time.
from about 1 month ago
brad, thanks for reading. i think there was a contingent of falcons fans out there worried about this game. i don't think the falcons pass d is as good as they showed against new orleans. i think they believed it would be tough to do that two weeks in a row.
and then of course, they didn't need to because the broncos shocked the world and ran the ball so well.
it's a tough loss, but i think it's the kind of loss to be expected in the nfl.
thanks again!
about 1 month ago
I actually picked Denver for ths win. Not for any particular reason—just because they were about due for an upset. I've been trying to tell people all year that stats and previous games mean nothing. Look what the Giants did to the Ravens. I can't believe pros go into games thinking hard about the stat books. Teams need to do what they do. I hate when defenses don't adjust... like they haven't been playing and coaching this game for their entire lives!
from about 1 month ago
thanks for reading. you know, it seemed to me, and from the comments from the team, that they were prepared for the broncos not to run the ball and stay in the air. everything was going as planned in the first half and shanahan shocked everyone when he came out running in the second half. it was frustrating watching it happen and their inabililty to stop it. as foxworth said, they weren't ready for that.
i think this team is well-coached, but i'm a little disappointed that they were unable to adjust to the adjustment.
i think you were right picking denver though, i was a little worried about this game. i mean, they're not going to win every game...
about 1 month ago
i went 12-2-1 this week! atalnta was one of my only losses! JACKSONVILLE BEING THR OTHER! LOL
there seem to be a few quarterbacks and teams that you don t wan t to give the ball too with a small lead and a couple minutes left. Jay cutler is in this category apparently carolina is coming to town next and i am really on the fence on this one. I picked the panthers but it s a worrisome pick! got to go with the 8-2 team however. 11-3 10-4 12-2-1 last three weeeks so i don t want to 2nd guess myself. 1st instincts are best! good luck making the playoffs Falcon fans. i have cleveland tonight as buffalo is sliding downhill fast! The Brady quinn era starts tonight! i hope!
from about 1 month ago
thomas, i can see how you picked the falcons to win...all the trends were pointing that way, combined with the injuries from denver.
it'd be tough to pick against carolina on sunday. even though the passing game has looked anemic, but the falcons have shown they struggle in stopping the run. if there's a team that can run, it's the panthers...
thanks for reading!
about 1 month ago
Good recap Daniel. I think outside of Broncos fans and Mike Golic, nobody thought the Broncos would win this game. I mean, we had ten rooks playing, and not just playing but actually contributing to a winning effort. That is just great coaching.
Both of these teams are pretty good man, and they have bright bright futures.
from about 1 month ago
sayre, i agree with you there. i actually love cutler a lot. love how he plays and his approach to being a quarterback. it's not a bad loss by any stretch. just thought the falcons would have been able to do more with what the broncos were bringing, as you point out, 10 rookies.
coaching did it, you're right shanahan's adjustment at half made all the difference.
thanks for reading!
about 1 month ago
Good recap, I don't know how its lookin for the Falcs playoff hopes. They will really have to pull out some wins. Maybe next year. Side note: I dont know if bell qualifies for journyman status.. but to go from selling cell phones to rushing the ball is very impressive.
from about 1 month ago
john,
well this win would have gone a long way towards helping the playoff cause. you might be right there--they've got a long way to go. a tough row to hoe, if you will.
bell's a journeyman at this point...in and out of the league...i dunno, maybe that doesn't qualify, but i didn't want to crack on him about the stealing thing, at least in this particular article.
thanks for reading john. i appreciate it...
from about 1 month ago
Yeah I don't know if theres qualifications for the word journyman... hes been on one hell of a journy thats for sure... im curious if he's been hanging with Travis Henry
I'm excited to see how the falcs finish out the year, but im more excited to see the offseason moves they make. one signing and a few good draft picks could put them at the top of the south.. not something i expected to happen this soon in the wake of Vick
from about 1 month ago
john-you don't know sh*t about anything. admit it
about 1 month ago
Hey Daniel, fantastic recap. I was just as surprised that the Broncos were able to pull that one out, but as a die-hard Broncos fanatic, I can't say I was upset. Before this season, I never for a second thought that Matt Ryan would be anywhere near productive much less the caliber he's displayed so far. I was incredibly impressed with his play yesterday and he would've had the winning touchdown if Roddy White hadn't dropped that perfect pass in the end zone.
I think you guys will bounce back though. You have a solid, well-rounded team that should definitely have a good shot at the playoffs.
Great job again.
from about 1 month ago
anthony, thanks for your comments. you know, you denver fans are a cordial and intelligent bunch. i like you guys...
yeah ryan has impressed this year. here in atlanta, we're ecstatic to have him. that was a pretty great pass to white. as you probably read, he took that one pretty hard. i feel bad for the guy, he's overcome the drop issue in his young career and he's really talented.
i think you may feel better about the falcons shot at the playoffs than i do at this point. they've got some tough games ahead, but a few of them are at home.
about 1 month ago
Another great job here Daniel. I'm not going to lie, I was shocked when I saw that the Broncos came back to beat the Falcons. With all of injuries on the Denver defense, I thought the Falcon's rushing crew would have a field day against these guys.
By the way, I am one of few people I know who can now say they witnessed an NFL tie live haha. I'm still in shock that it happened against the Bengals....
from about 1 month ago
dan, yeah..that's some distinction there my friend.
yeah, coming in, i thought the falcons running game would run wild on denver's injured defense. i thought the passing game would do well as well, no champ bailey and all.
you've gotta give denver credit for having a plan, making adjustments and just playing a tough game. they really deserved that win...
about 1 month ago
I caught the last five minutes of this game and saw the dropped touchdown. This was a nice recap, man. Tough loss, but the Falcons will surely bounce back next week.
from about 1 month ago
monk, thanks, i appreciate that.
yeah...that pass was there..in the hands...disappointing to say the least.
it was a good game, i'm sure, for the out-of-town fan to watch. no allegiances....four lead changes, some unexpected players stepping up big. it had it...for those with falcons allegiances...a little heartbroken today...
about 1 month ago
another really good recap. I'm sorry you guys lost. (especially since it means you guys will be more fired up next week!)
It seemed, like you said, as though the same intensity wasn't there that usually is when ATL plays at the Dome. I didn't get to see a whole lot of the game, as the Panthers game was on at the same time, but in what I did see, it seemed like they were perhaps looking past Denver. They seemed to settle after Turner's long touchdown run, and even let Denver convert the play after the penalty that gave them second and long on that last scoring drive which let them sneak out of facing a loud third down do-or-die situation.
After the score, they were able to move the ball but couldn't do enough after a penalty of their own to pull off another comeback win.
I don't expect the same next week, though, and I'm amped up for the rivalry game!!
POTD, 5* man...talk to you sometime during the week--maybe we can get together for an article since our teams play eachother.
from about 1 month ago
austin, always love your comments man--you've got your stuff together.
that penalty was murder on the drive. third and 18 is a lot to overcome, and they STILL almost did it. it was there...white just dropped it. he's played well enough over the last season and a half that he gets some slack there. he's over the dropsies...so atlanta's not going to give him too much hell over it.
i'd hate to believe this team looked ahead. there's nothing in the coaching staff that implies they would do such a thing, but their play certainly made it seem as if they were.
i think you're right...they're going to be ready for this game sunday. national tv game, at home (for atl) after a tough loss. it's going to be a crazy exciting game. i wish we could all get together to watch it.
reach out to me, i'll see what i can do.
thanks again austin .
about 1 month ago
good article danny, but i fully expected the falcons to win this game. champ bailey was out, so i thought matt ryan would have a field day. they'll bounce back next week, and i think michael turner will get back on track. things just don't always go the way you think they will, but it happens all the time. i still expect the falcons to go to the playoffs
good read
from about 1 month ago
nick, thanks for reading.
the falcons have a lot to do to get to the playoffs. playing well this week against carolina would go a long way towards accomplishing that. getting turner going is always critical, but it's not going to be a cakewalk against THAT panther defense.
thanks nick!
about 1 month ago
Fantastic recap, very detailed and you talk about every major play. Big statement win for Denver, and the loss by the Chargers, I think, might have finally sealed the West, but since this is the NFL, we really never know until January who's going to make it. Once again, great article!
from about 1 month ago
henry, i agree. it was as big a win for denver as it was a loss for atlanta. all the credit to the broncos. great game plan and they carried it out. all allegiances aside, it was a fantastic game to watch.
i think the broncos are in. that offense can be electric. haven't watched marshall for an entire game..just seen his highlights and stuff and let me say, he's a great player. that one long catch he made was impressive.
thanks for reading!
about 1 month ago
GREAT recap! I was very very shocked that Atlanta lost! Especially with Denver's run defense being it's achilles' heel!
I am quite uneasy that the Panthers are playing the Falcons next week.
from about 1 month ago
eric, yeah, run defense and run offense. one thought, going in, they would struggle with both. not the case on either side.
i'm glad to hear you're uneasy. i am too...i think it's going to turn out to be one heckuva game.
i just hope the falcons win..you guys have a few losses to spare...the falcons don't.
thanks, as always, for reading.
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