Broncos respond with a statement 38-6 home win over Falcons

After back-to-back losses to AFC powerhouses, the Denver Broncos came out with a statement win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11.

In a game the Denver Broncos had to have, they dominated. The Atlanta Falcons were 6-4 on the season coming into this game and were no slouches. What happened was just perfect offensive football from Bo Nix. He would finish with his first 300 yard passing game and four touchdown passes.

Denver has their franchise quarterback.

With a bit of a softer schedule incoming with games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts, the Broncos have their 2024 destiny at hand. They just need to take it, now.

First Quarter

Bo Nix and the Broncos came out firing on all cylinders with a 9-play, 70 yard opening drive that was capped by a touchdown pass to tight end Nate Adkins. Before this first quarter score, the Broncos had scored just three first-quarter points in their last seven games.

The Falcons would answer Denver’s opening drive with an even longer 13-play drive and had multiple plays that ended at the goal line, but penalties on each of those plays pushed Atlanta out of the red zone and were ultimately held to a field goal on that drive.

Overall, it was a solid start to the game for both offenses with an advantage towards Denver.

Broncos 7, Falcons 3. Read full first quarter recap.

Second Quarter

Both teams traded punts to start the second quarter, but it was from there that Bo Nix had himself a first half. The Broncos would start with a 12-play drive that was setup by a beautiful catch and throw to a wide open Marvin Mims Jr. for a 33-yard gain on third and long.

That would setup this Javonte Williams run up the gut where he was met head on by former-Bronco Justin Simmons at the three yard line. The cavalry would arrive at the same time and Williams would be carried in by a gang of Broncos players for a game-breaking touchdown.

Atlanta would answer that drive with a long field goal, but the Broncos offense was just getting started. Bo Nix would finish the first half going 17/19 for 192 yards and two touchdowns. The second was this well-designed screen to Mims who zoom in for the third and long touchdown score.

Denver went into halftime in firm control of the game and dominating offensively. All they needed to do was keep up the pressure going into the second half.

Broncos 21, Falcons 6. Read full second quarter recap.

Third Quarter

There is always a worry for a momentum shift to start a half when the other team starts with the ball, but the Broncos defense shut Kirk Cousins and the Falcons offense down immediately for a three-and-out. That set the tone for the entire quarter.

Bo Nix and the Broncos offense would drive methodically down the field that would end in another successful screen pass — this time to rookie Troy Franklin,

Denver’s defense would keep the pressure up. Cody Barton added an interception to end one drive and rookie Jonah Elliss would end another with a third down sack on Cousins. Overall, the Broncos smothered the Falcons in every facet of the game.

Broncos 28, Falcons 6. Read full third quarter recap.

Fourth Quarter

Denver’s offensive onslaught never stopped in this game. Lil’Jordan Humphrey added another touchdown on a 41-yard catch and run from Nix midway through the quarter that put the Broncos up 38-6.

The Falcons put in Michael Penix Jr. late to get some experience in a game that was too far gone for Atlanta. This was a statement game for the Broncos and it was quite the statement. At 6-5, they are in prime position to make a strong push in the AFC down the stretch.

Broncos 38, Falcons 6.