Falcons-Broncos game breakdown: What happened in loss to Denver

Find out the main takeaways, moments and more that determined the outcome of Sunday’s game between Falcons and Broncos.

Nov 17, 2024 at 06:59 PM

Terrin Waack

Falcons Digital Team Reporter

DENVER — The Atlanta Falcons struggled through all four quarters Sunday, losing to the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

Final score: 38-6

Why it's important: The Falcons lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, preventing them from pulling away from the pack in the playoff picture. Atlanta is 4-1 in the NFC South and holds a two-game lead in the division. However, the team could be, perhaps should be, further ahead as the bye week looms.

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Key takeaway: After back-to-back losses, the Falcons need to take a hard look in the mirror over the upcoming bye week.

More: The Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints last week. On paper, the Falcons should have won that game. They were statistically the better team. They were also the more stable team. The Saints had just fired their head coach, Dennis Allen, and named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi as the interim.

While the Broncos weren't in as sticky of a situation as the Saints, Denver was 5-5 compared to the Falcons' 6-4 entering their Week 11 game. To be fair, that's not a massive difference in records. But that goes to show the Falcons and Broncos were well matched. The loss shouldn't have been as lopsided as it was.

Because the Falcons have their bye next week, head coach Raheem Morris and his staff need to figure out why the tone around the team has changed so much in recent weeks. Because before the loss to the Saints, the Falcons were riding high after a big win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8. That win showed growth after the Falcons needed overtime in their first win against the Buccaneers.

Weeks 10 and 11 did not show growth, though. They showed the opposite.

Key moment: A third-quarter reversed call led to a Broncos touchdown.

After the Falcons went three-and-out to open the second half, the Broncos appeared to turn the ball over on downs as well. A fourth-and-3 pass from Denver quarterback Bo Nix to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey was ruled incomplete after it was knocked out of his grasp. Upon review, the call was reversed. Officials decided the pass was completed, fumbled and subsequently recovered for a first down.

Six plays later, Nix completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tory Franklin. That gave the Broncos a 28-6 lead.

Missed opportunity: The Falcons fell behind early on the scoreboard because of missed opportunities in the red zone that could have matched the Broncos' opening touchdown and changed the momentum of the first half.

More: Kirk Cousins, Drake London and Bijan Robinson moved the ball down to Denver's 1-yard line, but a holding penalty on Matthew Bergeron set the Falcons back to the 20-yard line. Another penalty negated a big play by London and pushed the Falcons even further back. These self-inflicted wounds were too much for Atlanta to overcome, and Younghoe Koo was called upon for a 41-yard field goal.

Koo lifted the Falcons in the right direction, but Atlanta likely would have had seven points rather than three had it played a clean series.

The Falcons did not score any touchdowns through two quarters, while the Broncos scored three. The closest the Falcons came was that drive hindered by penalties. Otherwise, Atlanta only made it to its own 24-yard and Denver's 32-yard line before punting or going for another field goal, respectively. Koo was good from 51 yards out to at least give the Falcons some points.

Still, the Broncos held a 21-6 lead at the break.

Standout performance: Kicker Younghoe Koo. After going 1-of-4 against the Saints, Koo made both his field goal attempts in Denver. He was good from 41 yards in the first quarter and 51 yards in the second quarter.

Number to know: 6-of-11. The Broncos' third-down conversion rate. That's why they scored as much as they did. They were able to keep drives alive.

Player milestone:

Tight end Ross Dwelley caught a 5-yard pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins in the first quarter, making his first catch as a member of the Falcons. Dwelley signed in the offseason as a free agent after six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.

Injury updates:

Cornerback Kevin King was evaluated for a head injury in the first quarter and ruled out with a concussion in the second quarter.
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney sustained a hamstring injury in the third quarter and was questionable to return.
Defensive lineman Zach Harrison sustained a knee injury in the third quarter and ruled out in the fourth quarter.
Rookie Wide Receiver Casey Washington sustained a concussion in the fourth quarter and was ruled out.
Linebacker Nate Landman sustained a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter and did not return.

A quick tweet: The Falcons editorial staff of Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden, Terrin Waack and Amna Subhan share their gut reactions to Sunday's outcome in 280 characters or less.

McElhaney: Pain.
McFadden: Atlanta needs to bring its A game after the bye week.
Waack: Well, I certainly didn't expect THAT aggressive of an outcome.
Subhan: At last … bye week.

Settling the storylines:

**Brandon Dorlus’ debut**: For the first time this season, the Falcons' fourth-round draft pick was active on game day. Atlanta needed the extra depth along the defensive line with Ta'Quon Graham and James Smith-Williams going on injured reserve Saturday.

**Justin Simmons’ homecoming**: The Falcons safety came to Atlanta from Denver as a free agent this offseason. Simmons was drafted by the Broncos in 2016 and became a two-time Pro Bowler during his eight seasons with the team. There were multiple Broncos fans seen with "Welcome Home 31" posters, because Simmons did indeed wear the same jersey number that he does in Atlanta while in Denver.

**Player of the Game prediction**: The entire Falcons offensive line. Center Drew Dalman was activated from injured reserve Saturday, but Ryan Neuzil still received the start at the position Sunday. Dalman hasn't taken a snap since he sustained an ankle injury in the Falcons' Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It wasn't a great day for the Falcons' offensive line, which allowed three sacks and struggled in the run game.

Looking forward: The Falcons have a Week 12 bye. Atlanta will next host the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 carries the ball during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons offensive line during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 makes a tackle during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews #70 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 kicks a field goal during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Ross Dwelley #85 carries the ball during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 makes a field goal during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 catches the ball during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 makes a tackle during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 hands the ball to Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 reacts during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 catches a pass during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 carries the ball during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Shanna Lockwood/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams #26 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. #9 during the Week 11 Game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, November 17, 2024. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Atlanta Falcons)

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Falcons-Broncos game breakdown: What happened in loss to Denver

Find out the main takeaways, moments and more that determined the outcome of Sunday’s game between Falcons and Broncos.

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