Five key matchups: Broncos vs. Falcons
A look at the most important matchups that could help decide Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. (Photos by AP)
Eleven touchdowns. 1,473 yards. Just two interceptions. Matt Ryan is off to a blistering start to the 2016 season and is near the top of many potential MVP lists. His return to brilliance is a big reason why the Falcons are off to a 3-1 start this season. But another player lurks near the top of the MVP watch lists, as well: Von Miller. With 5.5 sacks through four games, Miller is on pace to at least challenge the all-time sack record held by Michael Strahan. If the Falcons drop back as many times as they did against the Panthers, Miller will definitely have his chances to add to that total and maybe force a fumble or two in the process.
The biggest playmakers will line up across the line of scrimmage from each other on Sunday. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who racked up 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown last week against the Panthers, may be the most explosive receiver in the league right now. Cornerback Aqib Talib will help slow him down. Talib has three picks in four games, including one for a touchdown. In a Broncos secondary that is dominant across the board, Talib may be the biggest playmaker. As Head Coach Gary Kubiak said at his press conference on Thursday, that knack for game-changing plays is what makes a good cornerback a great one.
The Falcons gained a three-time Pro Bowl center in free agency when Mack voided the final three years of his contract with the Cleveland Browns and signed a new five-year deal with Atlanta in March. The move reunited Mack with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, whose high-powered system has powered Atlanta to a 3-1 start. Mack's impact is truly felt in the Falcons' run game, which ranks fourth in rushing yards per play and sixth in rushing yards per game. As Williams lines up over Mack, he will look to create penetration in Mack's blocks to disrupt Atlanta's line and get into the backfield. Williams already has one sack and three quarterback hits.
In his second year in Head Coach Gary Kubiak and Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison's offense, Demaryius Thomas has looked more successful through four games. He has caught 21 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns, in spite of hip injuries that have bothered him since the season opener. Cornerback Desmond Trufant will likely draw the assignment to guard the physically imposing Thomas, who is not afraid to use his height to his advantage over smaller corners. Though Trufant has been a tough corner to beat this year, the Falcons passing defense ranks 31st in passing yards allowed per game and 19th in passing yards allowed per play. Trufant has one interception, two passes defensed, one sack and 14 total tackles though four games.
The Falcons' third-year runing back out of Florida State has bounced back from a poor opening week performance to provide another threat for the pass-heavy Falcons. Freeman rushed for 152 yards on 14 carries in a Monday Night Football win over the Saints, and he's averaging 5.9 YPC on the season. As the Broncos look to limit the passing game, Freeman and backfield partner Tevin Coleman will be depended on to help the Falcons remain two dimensional. Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall, who leads the team in tackles, will be among the players looking to contain Freeman and Coleman. If Marshall and Co. can limit the running game as a threat, they'll set the secondary and pass rushers up for even more success.
