Atlanta Falcons

Bold Predictions: Atlanta Falcons v. Denver Broncos

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sunday, Denver Broncos face Atlanta Falcons in week 5 matchup at home. Falcons’ holes on defense allow many offensive targets to excel.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback, Paxton Lynch entered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game last Sunday and passed the first test of his NFL career, but this Sunday comes the first of possibly many in his young career. Lynch will face a defense in the Falcons ranked 29th in total defense and 31st in pass defense. Both statistics will give Lynch openings in every part of the field with Virgil Green returning and the wide receivers can separate from the defensive backs to gain big plays.

The Broncos defense continues to succeed in forcing turnovers against offenses and quarterbacks. Aqib Talib intercepted Jameis Winston twice last weekend and will now face Julio Jones, who is motivated after his 300-yard receiving performance versus the Carolina Panthers. Jones will not have 300-yards against Talib or the rest of the Broncos’ secondary, it is a fact.

Matt Ryan has the highest total quarterback rating (QBR) and passing yards entering Sunday. It will be the toughest offense the No Fly Zone and Orange Rush in the early part of the 2016 season. Head coach stated the Broncos did not face a bigger wide receiver group in the Buccaneers, but now with Julio Jones in town, the Broncos defense will be asked to continue the trend.

Week five bold predictions are officially a go.

Paxton Lynch: Throw For 300/Rush For A TD

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Let me get this out of the way, no matter the quarterback under center the Broncos are 4-0. Trevor Siemian exceeded expectations with how he can control the team’s offense and at times can win a game through the air. Paxton Lynch, on the other hand is the first round talent and most talented quarterback on the roster. Lynch will get his shot at the Atlanta Falcons for his first NFL start.

Lynch can elude defenders better in mobility and will sling it through the air when given the chance. On Sunday, he will throw for over 300 yards and rush for a score leading the Broncos to another victory. The defense of the Falcons can be easily exposed at linebacker and the secondary. Now that the Broncos’ tight end Virgil Green is expected to play Sunday, he will be a comfortable target for the young quarterback in his first start. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders established a solid rapport early with Lynch in Tampa, which should translate on Sunday.

The Broncos coaching staff also showed trust in the rookie letting him unleash his arm on third and seven when Siemian left due to an unfortunate injury. Head coach Gary Kubiak did not shy away from molding the offense to meet Lynch’s skill set. Lynch worked from the shotgun mostly in the game last Sunday and do not look for that to change.

No Fly Zone: Hold Julio Jones Under 60 Yards

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) defends Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Denver Broncos defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Aqib Talib had quite the welcome back to Tampa, intercepting Jameis Winston twice. One of such picks almost went for a pick-six. Talib now faces Julio Jones, who is coming off a 300-yard receiving performance at home against the Carolina Panthers. Chris Harris, at times will cover Jones in different pass defense situations, but Talib is to be glued on Jones for the entire game.

Jones is a physical threat from the wide receiving position and is a bigger threat than Mike Evans from the Buccaneers. Talib and the rest of the secondary answered the bell from the Denver coaches and held Evans to under 70-yards. This coming week, the No Fly Zone will hold Jones under 60-yards with hardly any yards after the catch. Playing at home will benefit from the crowd noise, which always benefit the Broncos defense every week at home.

194 yards receiving allowed per game by the Broncos No Fly Zone is third in the NFL behind the Ravens and Texans. Jones leads the NFL in receiving yards, but 300 of it came from last week. Talib historically performs well facing the number one receiver following him everywhere on the field. Jones’ encore performance is likely to be compromised against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Falcons Offense: Held Under 20-Points

Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety T.J. Ward (43) and cornerback Aqib Talib (21) break up a pass to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have the best total offense in the NFL to go along with Ryan’s league leading QBR and passing yards through week five. Last week in the matchup with the Carolina Panthers, Ryan put up monster numbers against a disappointing Panthers’ defense. This week, the team heads to the Mile High City, where a team’s passing attack goes to die.