Falcons at Broncos: Game preview, odds, prediction
By Brad Weiss
Two red-hot teams will do battle on Sunday, as the 3-1 Atlanta Falcons travel to Denver to take on the undefeated Broncos.
Two of the hottest teams in the NFL will go head to head on Sunday, as the Atlanta Falcons will head to Denver to do battle against the Broncos. The Falcons have looked very good on offense this season and have been a juggernaut the past two weeks. Denver has the best defense in the AFC, so it will be interesting to see the chess match that takes place on Sunday.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has played at an elite level in 2016, as he currently leads the NFL in passing yards. His main target has been Julio Jones, who is coming off a 300-yard effort against the Carolina Panthers this past week. Jones is the league leader in receiving yards and is an almost unstoppable figure on the outside.
Denver will counter with a defensive unit that may actually be better than the group that led them to a Super Bowl victory this past February. Von Miller could be an NFL MVP this season, and leads the NFL with 5.5 sacks already through four games. He will be looking to feast on Ryan, who has made NFL defenses look silly through the first quarter of the season.
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The Broncos also may be without starting quarterback Trevor Siemian, who suffered a sprained AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder this past week. Siemian was replaced by rookie Paxton Lynch, who played well in relief. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is preparing his team for both quarterbacks, but the Broncos believe Siemian will be ready for game time.
Odds
Line: DEN (-5.5)
Over/Under: 47
The game figures to be a classic offense vs defense battle, as both units are the best in the business. The Ryan-Jones show in Atlanta is at an all-time high, but they will be facing their biggest test of the season in Week 5. If Falcons running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman can get it going early, it should take some of the pressure off the passing game.
Denver’s defense is just too good, and they will come up with a game plan to stop the Falcons on Sunday. Ryan and Jones are going to get theirs, but the Broncos should make enough plays to come away with the victory. Atlanta is for real, but this week, the opponent will just be too much.
Pick: Broncos 24 Falcons 21