Following an impressive win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and OLB Vic Beasley, Jr. earned recognition for their respective roles in Atlanta's victory.
In the MMQB’s award section, Peter King named Beasley one of his "Defensive Players of the Week" and Shanahan as one of his "Coaches of the Week".
Beasley put together the best game of his career, registering 3.5 sacks – becoming the first player to do so in a single game this year.
Vic Beasley, outside linebacker, Atlanta
"For a first-round pick—and purported pass-rush savior for the Falcons—who had just five sacks in 20 career games entering Sunday's fray at Denver, Beasley took a huge step in the Falcons' victory. He sacked Denver quarterback Paxton Lynch four times (he got credit for 3.5, including a shared sack with Dwight Freeney that looked an awful lot like Beasley's alone) and had seven tackles. Rushing from Lynch's right all day, Beasley consistently beat the Denver right tackle—Ty Sambrailo, then Michael Schofield—with speed. Great time for a breakout game," King on Beasley, Jr.
The versatility Atlanta's offensive possesses has been a popular topic of late, and it was again on display on Sunday. Shanahan's plan to create mismatches between his running backs and Denver's linebackers proved to be successful as the Broncos couldn't find a way to slow down the two-headed monster of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. The two running backs recorded 286 total yards, the second time the two have combined for 200-plus yards this season.
Kyle Shanahan, offensive coordinator, Atlanta
"Returning to his childhood home, where he often accompanied his father (longtime Denver head coach Mike Shanahan) to work on Saturdays, Shanahan had the best game of his 12-year NFL coaching career. With Denver one of three NFL unbeatens entering Sunday, and with the best defense in football, Shanahan used multiple weapons in a 23-13 statement win for the Falcons. Atlanta gained 372 yards and kept Matt Ryan relatively clean with a good, diversified game plan," King on Shanahan
