The Atlanta Falcons will look to continue their hot streak against the undefeated Denver Broncos on the road Sunday.
The Denver Broncos have gotten out to a 4-0 start through the first four weeks of the 2016 NFL season, and they will host the red-hot Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Atlanta comes into Sunday’s game fresh off a huge win against defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers, beating Cam Newton and company 48-33. They will face an extremely tough defense on Sunday, but just may have the horses to make it interesting.
Denver made the decision to go with inexperienced Trevor Siemian at quarterback during the preseason, and he has paid immediate dividends. Unfortunately, he was injured during Denver’s win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, and will be forced to miss this week’s game. Rookie Paxton Lynch will start in his place, and should be able to move the offense against the Falcons defense.
Lynch came on in relief last week and performed well, throwing for 134 yards on 24 completions. He connected with Demaryius Thomas for his first NFL touchdown pass, and looked very good running the offense. Denver is led by their defense, so all Lynch will be asked to do on Sunday is protect the ball.
For Atlanta, quarterback Matt Ryan is playing on an elite level this season. The Boston College-product leads the NFL in nearly all passing categories, and is coming off a 500-yard performance last week. He and Julio Jones have formed the best tandem in the league this season, as Jones leads the NFL in receiving yards. Sunday will be their biggest test of the season, as Denver’s defense is considered the best in all of football.
Highlights
Highlights will be posted throughout the game.
Three Stars Prediction
1. C.J. Anderson
Expect a big day out of Anderson, who will be relied on heavily in Lynch’s first NFL start. The Broncos are going to try to get the passing game going by first relying on the run, which means a ton of touches for Anderson. The fourth-year running back has scored at least one touchdown in three of the team’s four games, and should find the end zone on Sunday. Expect over 20 carries and 100 yards on the ground.
2. Julio Jones
The way Julio Jones is playing this season, it really does not matter who is covering him. Jones is going to get his on Sunday against Denver, and if Atlanta gets down early, they will be throwing the ball all over the field. Denver has a solid secondary, but Ryan is going to give Jones every opportunity for a big day against the Broncos. Expect over 100 yards and a touchdown for Jones on Sunday.
3. Paxton Lynch
I am going to go out on a limb and say that Lynch plays very well against the Falcons on Sunday. There is a reason the Broncos spent a first-round pick on him this past April, and he is going to show why against Atlanta. He has the arm to make all the throws, and if he is accurate in his first NFL start, he should be able to utilize his weapons on the outside. Expect Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to get plenty of opportunities downfield on Sunday.
Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best QB of All-Time
Odds
The Denver Broncos will host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday as a 4.5 point favorite. The odds makers have set the over/under at 45.5, which suggests they do not feel there will be a ton of scoring in the game.
Next Week
The Broncos have a short week, as they will travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers in a Thursday Night Football matchup. Atlanta will stay on the road, as they travel north to battle the Seattle Seahawks.