DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Empower Field At Mile High on November 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos beat up on the Falcons 38-6 to improve to 6-5. Below is the recap and postgame interviews:
Broncos offense started with the ball and Bo Nix got off to a much faster start than they have much of the season. Nix found Courtland Sutton for a 16 yard gain on 3rd and 9 and Devaughn Vele for 14 on 2nd and long. On 1st and 10 from the 12 yard line, Nix found a wide open Nate Adkins over the middle and he walked into the endzone for an early 7-0 lead with 10:31 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Falcons offense went to work and found a nice balance of run/pass as they moved the ball inside the Broncos red zone but a holding call ended up stalling out the drive and Atlanta settled for a 41 yard field goal, cutting into the lead 7-3 with 1:33 remaining in the 1st quarter. Drive was 13 plays for 48 yards and took 8:58 off the clock.
Denver went back to work from their 30 yard line but unfortunately lost yards on the drive after a check down to Estime went for -3 yards. Broncos punted the ball back to Atlanta who would start their next drive from their 16 yard line after an Unnecessary Roughness call backed them up. End of the 1st quarter.
After an initial first down on a wheel route to Bijan Robinson, a bad snap followed by a Malcolm Roach sack effectively ended the Atlanta second drive and they punted it to Marvin Mims who returned it to the Denver 23 yard line where the Broncos would begin their 3rd offensive drive.
Bo Nix hit Javonte Williams for a checkdown and he fought for additional yards to get the initial first down. On 3rd and 10, Bo Nix found Marvin Mims down the left sideline for a 37 yard gain and the Broncos were quickly into Falcons territory. Javonte Williams fought for extra yards on a 16 yard screen and then, on 2nd a 4 from the 14 yard line Javonte Williams was hit at the 5 yard line before the offensive line helped push him into the end zone to extend the Broncos lead 14-3 with 6:16 remaining in the 1st half.
The Falcons, now in an 11 point hole, went back to work. On 4th and a foot at their own 39 yard line, Cousins found Drake London for a huge 26 yard gain into Denver territory. The drive stalled though at the Denver 32 yard line. Younghoe Koo converts the 51 yard FG and the Broncos lead cut into 14-6 with 2:48 remaining in the 1st half.
Denver started their 4th drive at their own 30 looking to add some points before half. Nix fired an absolute laser over the middle of the field and hit Devaughn Vele in stride for a 34 yard gain. Denver was quickly in Atlanta territory down to the 34 yard line as we hit the 2 minute warning. The Broncos offense worked inside the 20 yard line as Nix completed a quick pass to Courtland Sutton on 3rd and 3 with 1:34 remaining in the 1st half. On 3rd and goal from the 12 yard line, Nix hit Marvin Mims for a screen off the right side and he scampered into the end zone for the 3rd touchdown in the 1st half. Broncos lead extended 21-6 with 25 seconds remaining in the 1st half.
Atlanta started with the ball at their own 30 yard line out of halftime. PJ Locke almost came up with pick 6 but dropped the tipped pass. Nevertheless, the Falcons went 3 and out and, after a 37 yard punt return by Marvin Mims, Broncos were set up at the Atlanta 45 yard line for their first drive of the 2nd half.
Bo Nix and the offense were looking to add to their lead. On 4th and 3, Lil'Jordan Humphrey came up with an 8 yard reception to move the chains. Javonte Williams carried it into the Red Zone with a 12 yard carry. Devaughn Vele caught an 11 yard pass to put the Broncos into a goal to go situation. On 2nd and goal from the 7 yard line, Nix hit Troy Franklin on the right side and the rookie receiver did the rest with a run into the end zone. Broncos extend the lead 28-6 with 9:05 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Now in a 22 point hole, the Falcons went back to work and quickly moved the ball into Denver territory but an errant throw targeting Drake London went right to Cody Barton and he returned it to the Broncos 46 yard line with 7:56 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The got an initial first down with a short pass to Audric Estime but a personal foul penalty against Garett Bolles ended up killing the drive and Denver punted it back to Atlanta. Tremon Smith downed the ball inside the 6 yard line.
On 3rd down, Pat Surtain was called for a facemask penalty that helped Atlanta continue their drive. On 3rd down, Jonah Ellis beat Caleb McGary for a huge sack and the Falcons were forced to punt the ball back to Denver, who started their drive from their own 32 yard line with 2:45 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton for a 23 yard gain and the Broncos offense was quickly into Atlanta territory. The drive stalled at the Falcons 27 yard line so Wil Lutz came in to convert a 45 yard field goal, extending the Broncos lead 31-6 with 13:08 remaining in the game.
The Falcons desperately looking for points but Nik Bonitto sacked Kirk Cousins on 3rd down and ended their drive.
Broncos next drive started on the ground as Denver tried to run some clock. On 2nd and 6 from the Atlanta 41, Bo Nix booted out to his right and found Lil'Jordan Humphrey for a huge 41 yard touchdown to extend the lead 38-6 with 9:03 remaining in the game.
Michael Penix Jr came into the game with it being out of reach. He moved the ball to the Broncos 46 yard line but eventually punted it to the Denver. Jarrett Stidham came in for mop up duty.
Broncos would go on to win 38-6!
The next broadcast is on Sunday, November 24th as the Broncos travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders. Coverage begins at 8am MTN on KOA 850AM/94.1FM.
Below are the postgame interviews with Sean Payton, Bo Nix, Marvin Mims, Javonte Williams and Malcolm Roach.