There's no doubt about it -- Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Co. put on an explosive show last week. Ryan's 503 passing yards and Jones' 300 receiving yards both challenged NFL records in a handy win over the struggling Panthers.
Don't expect the same this week, though. Not by a long shot.
That's because the Falcons will be taking their show on the road to Denver, home of one of the most vaunted defenses in the NFL. While Aqib Talib and the secondary will attempt to keep Jones in check, linebacker Von Miller will do his best to make it a bad day for Ryan.
Standing in Miller's way will be Falcons right tackle Ryan Schraeder, whom our Pete Prisco pegged as one of the keys to success for Atlanta. The 6-foot-9, 315-pounder has yet to allow a sack this season, and will need to keep up his strong play against the Broncos pass rush.
With all the attention on Denver's defense, you can't ignore their offense. Rookie quarterback Trevor Siemian had been progressing nicely until he was knocked out of last week's game with a shoulder injury. His status is up in the air for this Sunday, and there's no doubt that the Broncos would rather have him out there than backup Paxton Lynch, who did a decent job filling in after Siemian's exit last week.
Either way the Broncos will need a strong performance from running back C.J. Anderson, who has scored three touchdowns in four games so far this season.
Offense aside, the focus for the Broncos will be slowing what has been a nearly unstoppable Falcons offense thus far in 2016. Here's how to watch the game.
How to Watch
- What: Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos
- When: Sunday, Oct. 9, 4:05 p.m. ET
- Where: Sports Authority Field, Denver, Colorado
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile App
- Sunday Ticket: DirecTV
- Online: NFL Game Pass (available to watch online after midnight)
- Odds: The Broncos are 5-point favorites, according to SportsLine
Injury Report
Falcons
- De'Vondre Campbell, OLB - Out
- Deion Jones, LB - Out
- Paul Worrilow, LB - Out
Broncos
- Virgil Green, TE - Questionable
- Shiloh Keo, S - Questionable
- Trevor Siemian, QB - Questionable
- Donald Stephenson, T - Questionable
- DeMarcus Ware, OLB - Out
- Kayvon Webster, CB - Out
Prisco's Pick
This is a tough road test for the Atlanta offense, the highest-scoring unit in the league. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones will be challenged to make plays. The key will be blocking up the Denver front. Trevor Siemian could miss this game, which would put rookie Paxton Lynch in for his first start. I think even if that's the case, Denver wins.
Pick: Broncos 27, Falcons 23
