Winners and Losers from the Denver Broncos 38-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons

I give you the winners from the Broncos dominating win over the Atlanta Falcons.

That’s how you come back after a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Denver Broncos absolutely dominated the Atlanta Falcons and improved to a 6-5 record on the year. This was an absolute blowout that saw rookie quarterback Bo Nix throw for 4 TD passes, the Broncos’ defense kept the Falcons out of the end zone and frankly just outplayed the Falcons in all parts of the game.

With it being a 38-6 blowout, there are understandably a lot of winners and absolutely no losers in this one. So, with all that said, here are your winners and winners from the Broncos’ dominating win over the Falcons.

Winner – Bo Nix

Folks, we finally have a Franchise quarterback.

Bo Nix followed up his great showing vs. the Chiefs by throwing for 4 touchdown passes vs. the Falcons. He finished the game by completing 28 of 33 passes (84.9 completion percentage) for 307 yards and 4 touchdown passes.

That’s a damn nice stat line.

Bo Nix is legit, Bo Nix is the favorite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Bo Nix is making a lot of people eat crow, and most importantly, Bo Nix is the Broncos franchise quarterback.

He now has 18 total touchdowns on the year and is doing a lot of this with an offensive cast that would rank near the bottom of the league. Sean Payton is proving that he can evaluate quarterbacks and hit and absolute home run here by selecting Nix who was the 6th quarterback selected in the draft.

Nix and the Broncos are getting hot at the right time.

Javonte Williams – WINNER

Last week I proclaimed that rookie Audric Estime has taken over the Broncos backfield.

I was wrong.

Javonte Williams bounced back in this one and had 9 carries for 59 yards, 1 touchdown and an additional 4 receptions for 28 yards in the passing game.

It looked like Estime took over the backfield after he had the most snaps, carries, and yards vs. the Chiefs. Many assumed that would continue moving forward but Sean Payton threw a wrench into those plans in this one. Williams responded with a solid showing, scoring his 10th-career rushing touchdown.

We’ll see how this backfield shakes out moving forward but this week, Javonte Williams was the Broncos lead back and their best back.

WR/KR Marvin Mims Jr – WINNER

I had him as a winner last week simply for the way he was used vs. the Chiefs. That usage continued this week and Payton may have found a role for Mims in this offense and one that the explosive playmaker is thriving in.

Mims was used as a receiver, returner, and a ball carrier in this game and thrived in this role. He had 2 receptions for 49 yards and 1 touchdown, 3 carries for 4 yards, and 3 punt returns for 57 yards.

The highlight of his game was a 33-yard completion from Bo Nix where we saw him line up in the backfield and run a wheel route and turn it into a big game. He followed that up by taking a screen pass by Nix for a touchdown.

Mims is a dynamic playmaker who needed a role like this to thrive and Sean Payton and the Broncos are utilizing him very well these past few weeks. It’ll be interesting to see how his role continues to develop as we progress through the second half of the season but he is currently giving the Broncos a dynamic gadget playmaker they desperately needed.

Nik Bonitto – WINNER

Bonitto had a spectacular game vs. the Chiefs last week and continued that today vs. the Falcons. He had two sacks and improved his sack total on the year to 9 as he nears double digits.

This summer, I described the Broncos edge unit as a deep room that lacked an alpha pass rusher. Well, Bonitto has turned into that alpha pass rusher while Cooper, Elliss, and Tillman have all elevated their game as well.

The Broncos will need Bonitto and their pass rush to continue to play well moving forward if they want to make the playoffs. So far, they have been the top team in pressures and Bonitto and company have been a big reason for that.

Broncos Defense – WINNER

The Broncos’ defense held the high-powered Falcons offense to just 6 points. They totaled just 226 yards passing, and 50 rushing yards, held the Falcons to just 4 of 13 on third downs, and had 4 sacks, and 1 turnover.

Vance Joseph once again proved that his defense is one of the best in the league and he continues to make his case for a head coaching job this offseason.

Broncos rookies – WINNER

The Broncos rookie class came up big in this game. We already touched on Bo Nix’s big game, but the rest of the Broncos rookies all made plays in this game.

Devaughn Vele: He had 4 catches for 66 yards and looks like a very good piece for the Broncos moving forward. Vele is a big target who has reliable hands and has made some key catches in big moments over the past few weeks.

Troy Franklin: The other rookie wide receiver does not have a sexy stat line but he did find the end zone for the second time in 2024.

Audric Estime: The rookie running back did not have the game I expected but he showcased his athleticism by leaping over a Falcons defender late in the game.

Jonah Elliss: The promising rookie pass rusher had a sack late in the game and looks to be a key piece in the Broncos’ edge rushing room moving forward.

With the Broncos lacking draft picks and salary cap, they needed to hit on this rookie class and so far, it appears to be a home run draft class for Sean Payton, George Paton, and the Broncos.

Broncos 5.5 win total from Vegas – WINNER

Vegas had the Broncos over-under win total at 5.5 games this past offseason. Well, Sean Payton and the Broncos needed just 11 games to surpass that win total and give whoever bet on the over some extra money for the Holiday season.

A lot of people doubted the Broncos this offseason and throughout the year but there is going to be a lot of crow to be had as we head into the month of December.

Other notable winners

• TE/FB Nate Adkins – WINNER: The blocking specialist scored the first of four Bo Nix touchdown passes. He was left wide open and gave the Broncos an early 7-0 lead.
• WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey – WINNER: LJH gets a lot of hate from Broncos Country, and rightfully so sometimes, but he had a good showing in this game. He scored Nix’s 4th touchdown pass late in the game and had a key 3rd down reception that was initially ruled a drop. Broncos challenged and it was ruled a catch, fumble, and Broncos recovery. It was a 38-6 win so I am feeling generous.
• NT Malcolm Roach – WINNER: The big run-stuffing nose tackle had a good game. He had a sack and a TFL late in the game. He has been a very good addition to the Broncos defensive line.
• S Devon Key – WINNER: Simply for not repeating what he did vs. the Ravens. I can’t speak to his film but I do not recall seeing Key on the bad end of some plays like we saw vs. the Ravens. Simply for that, he gets a win! Again, feeling generous
• LB Cody Barton – WINNER: Had his 2nd INT of the season. Kirk Cousins threw it right to him but still. Good play by the Broncos linebacker.
• Broncos postseason hopes – WINNER: They improved to 6-5 on the year and have the Raiders on the road and Browns at home the next two weeks before their bye week. The Broncos should be 8-5 heading into their bye before playing a crucial game vs. the Colts coming out of the bye.