The Denver Broncos have gotten solid quarterback play from rookie Bo Nix, but the reason the Broncos are 5-5 and in the mix for a playoff spot is because of their defense. The Broncos are a top-five total defense, and almost top 10 in all major defensive categories.
So, what do the Falcons have to do on offense to be successful?
1.) Play clean in the red zone
The Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for fourth in the NFL with a 44.4 percent defensive red-zone touchdown rate, meaning their defenses are only giving up a touchdown 44.4 percent of the time when the opposing team gets in the red zone. The Atlanta Falcons are 15th in offensive red-zone touchdown rate scoring a touchdown 54.8 percent of the time when they get into the red zone.
The Morning Shift crew is worried about not only a very good Broncos red-zone defense, but Falcons potentially making some “bad mistakes” in the red zone on offense like they’ve had throughout this season.
2.) Don’t allow the Broncos to get pressure without blitzing
The Denver Broncos have 35 sacks going into Sunday’s matchup with the Falcons, and even though Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph is great at dialing up exotic blitzes, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been great against the blitz this season, what will give Cousins and the Falcons offense trouble on Sunday is if the Broncos can get to Kirk without having to blitz, and The Morning Shift acknowledged that earlier today as well.
“When you can generate pass rush without sending a blitz you can really really hurt a team like Atlanta with a quarterback like Kirk Cousins”. Beau Morgan said.
3.) Give Bijan Robinson & Tyler Allgeier the ball early & often
Every defense has some sort of weakness, and despite the Broncos rush defense being seventh best in the NFL they are still giving up just over 100 yards per game on the ground, and if the Falcons give the ball to Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier early and often they should be able to have enough success in the running game to open things up for Kirk Cousins and the Falcons’ receivers in the passing game.
This will be the best defense the Falcons have faced since facing back-to-back-to-back current top 10 defenses in the NFL in the Steelers, eighth best total defense, the Eagles, second best total defense, and the Chiefs, fourth best total defense, and it’s clear the Falcons’ offense has grown and gotten a lot better since week three, and now Sunday will show exactly how much better they’ve gotten.
