Denver in recent years has struggled in early-day road games. In the past three seasons, the Broncos are 2-4 in games that start before their more comfortable 2 p.m. home start times.
The losses include a blowout defeat to Detroit last season and opening-day road setbacks to St. Louis and Miami in previous years.
The Broncos on Sunday travel to Atlanta for an 11 a.m. MST game against the Falcons.
“It is tough” playing in early games, quarterback Jay Cutler said.
“But it is the second half of the season and we don’t have any time for excuses. We have to get ready to play whether it is 7 a.m. or 7 at night. We have to find a way.”
Against the Falcons (6-3), the Broncos (5-4) will face a team clawing to stay in the race in a difficult NFC South division.
Atlanta ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards (157.8 per game) and and sixth in total yards (361.0).
“They control the ball offensively, they don’t have a lot of turnovers and they don’t put their defense in a lot of bad positions,” Cutler said.
But the quarterback is more concerned with the Falcons’ defense.
“They are really good on third downs and they get turnovers,” Cutler said. “I think they are 30-35 percent on third downs and any time you are doing that as a defense you are getting off the field and giving your offense a better opportunity to score.”
Elam surfaces as foe
Coach Mike Shanahan said he has mixed feelings about facing Atlanta kicker Jason Elam. The coach was asked if he’s excited to play against the former Denver mainstay:
“Not really,” the coach said. “I like to see him as a person but not kicking on the other team. He’s had a great year, 19-for-21, just a typical Jason year. He has played extremely well.”
