FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are back on the road in Week 11 to take on the Denver Broncos, who boast one of the league's best defenses.
Atlanta had its perfect 3-0 record away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium tarnished against the New Orleans Saints, but the Falcons can get back in the win column on Sunday and avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season. This matchup will also be the final one before a well-deserved bye for the Falcons.
The coaching staff will use that week off to self-scout and make necessary adjustments to the team's approach, while the players will use their time to recover and reset mentally. Sunday's contest against the Broncos will either send the Falcons into their bye week on a high note or a two-game skid. So…
Which Falcon needs a big game before the bye?
McELHANEY: This Broncos defense that the Falcons are about to face is a good one — one I'd argue is among the best in the league. It's because of this defensive prowess that I don't see this game being high scoring.
In my opinion, this puts a lot of pressure on the Falcons defense to make plays and keep the Broncos' offense at bay. Who better to step up and make a difference than the two players we've come to know and expect to do so when the team's back is against the wall? That's right, Jessie Bates III and Grady Jarrett. I realize I am answering this question with two individuals, but hear me out: I think it's going to take both having big games to give the offense the best chance to win.
Bates doesn't have to have a turnover, but it would be nice. Jarrett doesn't have to have a sack, but that would help, too. The reason I say these two is because of who they are as much as what they do. I don't know if you've watched any mic’d ups of defensive guys this year, but if you want to go back and watch, be on the lookout for interactions between Bates and Jarrett. You'll often hear some version of the same rallying cry for both: "Lead 'em."
Jarrett says it to Bates as much as Bates says it to Jarrett. I think it's because they are both the life blood of their units, just on two separate depths on the field. I think leadership is actually going to play a major role in this game in a similar sense to the way it did coming off of the Seahawks loss.
One of the first plays the defense made after that loss was Bates forcing a fumble in Tampa Bay a week later. That moment, while overlooked, I think is indicative of what leadership looks like and how it's your leaders who set the tone. How many times over his 10-year career have we seen Jarrett make a stand early in games to set a tone, too? The Falcons need to set the tone early in Denver if this thing is going to be a battle (which I am expecting). Who better to do so than the guys who have done so before?
McFADDEN: There would be no better unit to have a momentum-building performance heading into the bye week than the pass rush, and I believe that should start with Matthew Judon. I am not under the impression that Judon suddenly regressed as a player, and I think he still has a lot to offer this Falcons team in 2024.
He's faced double teams at a fairly high rate this season; however, I have liked the way Jimmy Lake and the defensive staff have schemed up different actions along the defensive front to get him in one-on-one situations. And I think the recent uptick in play from Arnold Ebiketie could help soften the attention Judon is getting.
Now, he just needs to capitalize on those opportunities and get the quarterback on the ground. That's easier said than done against a very solid Broncos offensive line that ranks fourth in sacks per pass attempt this season, but Judon is more than capable of beating good players. If he can start doing so at a consistent clip, I think it would be exactly the extra boost Atlanta needs to reach its full potential.
WAACK: Is it a cop-out to say the entire team? The Falcons have not lost back-to-back games this season. To do so right before the bye would be a major disappointment, especially since the Broncos head coach is Sean Payton, who was the Saints head coach for 15 years. Payton boasts a 21-9 record against Atlanta. He has yet to play against his former NFC South rival with Denver.
If I do have to pick a singular player, though, it would have to be kicker Younghoe Koo. As Will wrote Monday, Koo is in the worst stretch of his seven-year career, making just eight of his last 15 field goal attempts. Last Sunday, he missed two of his four attempts and had a third blocked, marking the first time he has ever missed more than twice in a single game — and the Falcons lost to Saints by just three points. So, although the Falcons would surely rather score an abundance of touchdowns than rely on field goals to win, a big game for Koo would also be a well-timed confidence boost before a week away from the field.
The bounce back would also come on the road, which could double the confidence boost if Koo is successful. Empower Field at Mile High is an outdoor stadium. The National Weather Service predicts a high of 53 degrees and a low of 28 degrees in Denver on Sunday. At first blush, I thought those conditions could make Sunday's venue a tricky one for Koo. But weirdly enough, no one has missed a field goal there this season. That could bode well for Koo's return to glory.
SUBHAN: Kirk Cousins. Of course, it's always important for the quarterback to have a big game, but against this Broncos defense, Cousins will have to bring the veteran stability he's provided for much of this season.
The Falcons' quarterback had a stretch of clean and accurate games before the loss to the Saints, where the whole offense had an off performance. Atlanta scored 17 points in Week 10; it has scored more than 20 points in each of its six wins this season. Cousins clicking with his weapons on offense is imperative for a victory in Week 11.
Denver's defense is nothing to scoff at. They rank No. 2 in the NFL in both sacks (35) and pressures (105). Cornerback Patrick Surtain leads the defense with three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, but four other Denver defenders have logged an interception as well this season.
Cousins threw a late interception and was sacked three times against the Saints. Against a good Broncos front, he'll have to make quick, smart decisions in the pocket while under pressure. Luckily, that's been Cousins' strength for most of his career.
A big game from Cousins would help the offense build some needed momentum heading into the bye. Because on the other side of the bye week, they'll face the Los Angeles Chargers, who have the best scoring defense in the league.
