Eye on …The Falcons
Broncos at Atlanta Falcons, 6:30 p.m., Monday, ESPN/KTVD-20
For the record: Falcons 1-0, tied for first in NFC South; Broncos 1-0, tied for first in AFC West
Last game: The Falcons opened the season with a 40-24 victory over Kansas City on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Who’s hot: The Broncos’ secondary will have a tough matchup against the Falcons’ receivers and tight ends. Second-year WR Julio Jones is emerging as a potential star. He caught six passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs.
Who’s not: The Falcons’ defense gave up chunks of yards, including 152 yards rushing and 241 passing to the Chiefs. After one week, Atlanta ranks No. 23 in total defense.
Key stat: The Falcons’ offense couldn’t have started the season any hotter. Atlanta scored on its first eight possessions Sunday in Kansas City — four touchdowns and four field goals.
FYI: The Broncos are 9-4 all time (including one postseason win in the 1998 season, perhaps you remember it) against the Falcons. The teams last met in 2008, when Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was a rookie. Denver won that game 34-20.
Injury report: The Falcons’ defense suffered a massive blow when cornerback Brent Grimes suffered a season-ending Achilles injury against Kansas City. Grimes was considered the Falcons’ best cornerback.
Coachspeak:“Matt’s played some really good games for us in his four years here. This might be the best game that he played. It was a great start to the season,” Atlanta coach Mike Smith, on QB Ryan’s performance on Sunday. Ryan completed 23-of-31 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown. Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
