The Denver Broncos are picking up steam, as they have won three games in four games after starting the season 0-3. The Atlanta Falcons are also doing a lot better, as they have gone 2-1 following a horrendous and traumatic 0-5 start. Check out our preview of this game between two teams who are long shots to make the playoffs, but are starting to turn a corner.
With Drew Lock finally scoring his first touchdown pass of the season, the Broncos were able to take the LA Chargers down at home last Sunday, 31-30. Lock finished the contest with 248 passing yards and three touchdowns with an interception on 26-of-41 completions while running back Philip Lindsay rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on six carries. The touchdown Lock tossed to wide receiver Daesean Hamilton might just be the one moment the Broncos needed to unlock the potential of their offense that seemed lacking in confidence, for the most part, this season. Lock can look forward to another solid game in Week 9 against the Falcons, though Lindsay and Melvin Gordon could be the better options to lead Denver’s attack. Atlanta’s gotten better of late defensively, but their run defense had just given up 147 yards and a touchdown to the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. Gordon and Lindsay head the Broncos’ ground attack that is averaging 112.9 rushing yards per game. Denver’s defense, despite all the points it gave up to the Chargers, put up a solid performance in that game. It’s currently sixth in the NFL in opponents’ third-down conversion percentage (36.0) and third in opponents’ red zone touchdown percentage (48).
The Broncos are 3-1 against the spread in their last four games overall.
In Week 8, the Falcons got the job done, holding their lead and avoiding yet another meltdown, which has become their signature this season, as they defeated the Carolina Panthers on the road, 25-17. Atlanta’s much-maligned defense was the key for that Falcons win, as the team sacked Teddy Bridgewater three times, recorded an interception while making key stops. The Panthers even went just 2-of-10 on third downs. Atlanta is just 17th in the NFL in scoring defense so far this season, with 26.1 points allowed per game, but it has gotten better of late. As proof, Falcons opponents have given up just 21.0 points over Atlanta’s last three games. Superstar wide receiver Julio Jones has also gotten back to his vintage form after a few games in which he had to deal with body aches. Against the Panthers, Jones turned seven receptions into 137 receiving yards. Over his last three games, he has accumulated 371 receiving yards and two touchdowns. When Jones is playing like that, the quality of the opposing defense is almost a moot point. Atlanta’s air attack is second in the NFL with 292.4 passing yards per game, with Matt Ryan leading it. Ryan is No. 1 in the league with 2,462 passing yards to go with 12 touchdowns.
The Falcons are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games away from home.
