How it Happened: Bo Nix, Broncos dominate Falcons to improve to 6-5

Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver hosts the Falcons at Empower Field at Mile High.

Live updates

FINAL | Broncos 38, Falcons 6

The Broncos were on fire from the start.

Denver scored a touchdown on their opening drive and added several more while stiffling Atlanta’s defense in a lopsided 38-6 win on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

Bo Nix completed 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He joins Marlin Briscoe and Don Breaux as the only Broncos rookie quarterbacks to throw four touchdowns in a single game.

Both teams leave the game with 6-5 records. The Broncos will head to Las Vegas next Sunday to take on the Raiders. Full story to come.

Fourth-quarter updates

It’s Stidham time (4:51 p.m.): Bo Nix is done for the day. He completed 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. As Fox mentioned, he joins Marlin Briscoe and Don Breaux as the only Broncos rookie quarterbacks to throw four touchdowns in a single game. — Nguyen

Casa Bonitto (4:47 p.m.): Chalk up another sack for Nik Bonitto, who stopped Michael Penix Jr. behind the line of scrimmage. — Nguyen

Touchdown, Broncos (4:37 p.m.): Bo Nix connects with Lil’Jordan Humphrey for a 41-yard catch-and-run touchdown. A four-play, 59-yard drive for Denver. Broncos 38, Falcons 6 with 9:03 to go. — Nguyen

Casa Bonitto (4:32 p.m.): Nik the Quick. Bonitto with his latest sack. He has eight. Well on his way to double figures this season. Broncos Dline and edge rushers have put in work today. — Renck

Field goal, Broncos (4:28 p.m.): Wil Lutz with the 45-yard field goal for Denver to cap off an eight-play, 41-yard drive. Broncos 31, Falcons 6 with 13:08 to go. — Nguyen

Lutz coverts FG. On the alignment, Peart moved inside to the TE position and Alex Forsyth is now on the outside/flank position. — Renck

Clean place-kicking operation for the Broncos today.

Four extra points and now a 45-yard Wil Lutz FG.

Denver leads Atlanta 31-6 with 13:08 to go. — Gabriel

Injury (4:28 p.m.): Falcons receiver Darnell Mooney is questionable with a hamstring injury. — Nguyen

Third-quarter analysis — Broncos 28, Falcons 6

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Bo Nix is on one.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos defensive line should get a ton of credit today. They’ve held Bijan Robinson to 12 carries for 35 yards and 2.9 yards per attempt today.

Troy Renck, sports columnist: Bo Nix is 25 for 30 for 261 yards and three scores. Not saying he’s going to win it, but it’s time to have a serious conversation about Bo Nix’s chances for Rookie of the Year with Daniels not appearing particularly healthy.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Bo Nix is dropping dimes on third down, Audric Estime is hurdling over defensive backs and Sean Payton is winning challenges. The Broncos have achieved moksha.

Third-quarter updates

So pretty (4:19 p.m.): Bo Nix is pump-faking dudes out of their pants. It’s all working right now, and it is beautiful. — Schubert

Courtland Sutton since Week 8: 28 catches for 370 yards and a touchdown. — Nguyen

Sacked (4:16 p.m.): Rookie Jonah Elliss just sacked Kirk Cousins. — Nguyen

Jonah Elliss getting a sack with his brother on the other sideline and 30 family members in the house is way cool. — Gabriel

Airborne (4:08 p.m.): Holy hell, Audric Estime! The rookie jumped over a defender. But a Garett Bolles personal foul kills off the gains. — Nguyen

Another week, another Garett Bolles penalty. — McFadden

Don’t mind Garett Bolles playing bodyguard for Bo Nix, but not often you’re going to get away with a headbutt. — Gabriel

Successful challenge (4:08 p.m.): Sean Payton is 2 for 2 on challenges today. Everybody’s eating! — Schubert

No pressure (4:05 p.m.): Falcons pass rush has been nonexistent this whole game. — McFadden

Dominance (4:05 p.m.): Not saying Broncos are in control, but Jaycee Horn is about to get heated. — Renck

Will they be holding the NFC South trophy ceremony on the field or in the locker room? — Schubert

Picked (4:01 p.m.): Kirk Cousins made a nice pass to Cody Barton. The Broncos linebacker then ran it 15 yards. Denver gets the ball at its own 46-yard line. — Nguyen

Broncos are rolling. The confidence in Bo Nix is swelling. The next three games are against Las Vegas, Cleveland and Indianapolis. … it might finally be happening. — Gabriel

Kirk Cousins with the Kirk Cousins-est of Kirk Cousins interceptions. Somehow he missed Cody Barton standing in the middle of the field … lofting a pass that almost looked like it was intended for him.

Just a complete performance from the Broncos today. What a response from the K.C. loss. — Schubert

Touchdown, Broncos (3:55 p.m.): Bo Nix throws it to Troy Franklin, who with great blocking, sprints into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown. A 10-play, 45-yard drive. Broncos 28, Falcons 6 with 9:05 to go. — Nguyen

T as in touchdown. @troyylul | : FOX pic.twitter.com/lJOUG89cJ7

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 17, 2024

Broncos Payton runs tunnel screen again. First one went for TD for Mims. This one is a TD for Franklin. Denver toying with Atlanta. Falcons inability to pressure QB shows up over and over. Denver leads 28-6. Not saying Broncos are in control, but Panthers Jaycee Horn is about to heated.

Not a great week to be a hater of Bo Nix or Deion Sanders. — Renck

Bo Nix: 21 of 25 for 216 and three TDs. — Gabriel

Bo Nix is turning into a star, folks. It’s happening. — Schubert

Vele’s day (3:54 p.m.): Vele has been so good on third down situations, man. — McFadden

No doubt first down (3:51 p.m.): Javonte Williams continues having a day with that 12-yard run up the gut. — Nguyen

No turnover (3:50 p.m.): Even the officials love them some Lil’Jordan Humphrey. — Schubert

Lil’Jordan Humphrey’s best fumble of the season, easily. — Gabriel

Turnover (3:48 p.m.): The Broncos went for it on fourth-and-3. Bo Nix threw the ball to Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who wasn’t able to pull it in. Atlanta ball. — Nguyen

Three-and-out (3:41 p.m.): The Broncos defense came out hot on Atlanta’s opening drive. They allowed just 3 yards. Then Mims returned the punt for 37 yards. The Broncos offense will start at the Falcons 45-yard line. — Nguyen

Marvin Mims Jr. is thoroughly enjoying his Sunday at the office. — Gabriel

Halftime analysis — Broncos 21, Falcons 6

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Bo Nix on third down today is 5/5 for 74 yards and a TD. Over the past 3.5 games on third down: 28/34 for 353 and four TDs.

That’ll work.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Bo Nix is making a strong case for OROY.

Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Little fun stat to note: In his last six quarters, Bo Nix is 39-49 passing for 407 yards, four TDs, zero picks, and a 128.49 passer rating. Broncos Country? Yeah. They got a guy.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: If you were worried about how the Broncos would respond to getting their hearts ripped out in Kansas City, worry no more. That was probably Bo Nix’s best first half of the season. That crossing route to Devaughn Vele? He’s not making that throw two months ago. Bo is no longer a rookie.

Second-quarter updates

Stopped (3:26 p.m.): Moss with terrific tackle of London in bounds as clock runs out. Denver leads 21-6. #Broncos have outscored NFC opponents 78-23 in 3.5 games. Bo Nix delivered the best half of his life, coming on the heels of being team’s best player at Baltimore and outplaying Mahomes in KC. — Renck

Cousins (3:24 p.m.): I’ll say this for Kirk Cousins: He can throw one hell of an out route. — Schubert

Dominance (3:21 p.m.): If Sean Payton coached in NFC South, he might be going back to the Super Bowl. Denver has blistered Bucs, Saints, Panthers and now Falcons.

Broncos have outscored NFC opponents 78-23 through 3.5 games. — Renck

Touchdown, Broncos (3:19 p.m.): Mimsy! A short pass to Marvin Mims Jr. who runs it in 12 yards for the score. Ten-play, 70-yard drive. Broncos 21, Falcons 6 with 25 seconds to go in the half.

Marvin Mims left witness protection last week and gets his first TD this week. Bo Nix is having a terrific first half. He is 17-for-19, 192 and 2 TDs. — Renck

Sack, McGlinchey (3:17 p.m.): That’s not what Denver wanted. Bo Nix was taken down after Mike McGlinchey was pushed into him. Second-and-goal from the Atlanta 19. — Nguyen

Rookie moves (3:15 p.m.): Troy Franklin with some nifty moves on that 8-yard gain for Denver. — Nguyen

Falcons D (3:14 p.m.): Atlanta’s defense is not good. — McFadden

Bo knows football (3:11 p.m.): So, Bo Nix is 12/13 for 150 and a TD. — Gabriel

Big gain (3:08 p.m.): Bo Nix Laser Beam Alert. — Gabriel

Bo Nix to Devaughn Vele for a huge 33-yard gain. — Nguyen

Bo Nix with laser strike to Vele down middle of the field. He had no chance on that pass earlier in the season. More evidence of his growth on mid-range passes. That was a 33-yard gain. — Renck

Field goal, Falcons (3:03 p.m.): Koo came into the game having made only 8 of his last 15 FGs. But he’s been on point today with two boots. — Renck

Two drives into Broncos territory for the Falcons. Two field goals. The Denver defense is doing its job. — Schubert

The story of today’s game between two offenses moving the ball: Touchdowns are better than field goals.

Broncos 14-6 with 2:48 to go in the first half. — Gabriel

Allen update (3:02 p.m.): Allen walks to the sideline on his own power. He is on the bench being looked at by trainers. — McFadden

Zach Allen was down on the field. And testing mobility of right foot and ankle. But appears OK, walking off under his own power. He has been Broncos’ second-best player this season. — Renck

Zach Allen getting taped up on the sideline. Say it’s a safe bet he’s coming back. — Schubert

Bullet dodged for the Broncos’ defense, it appears, as Zach Allen gets his right ankle re-taped on the sideline. He’s been terrific all season. — Gabriel

Zach Allen injury (3 p.m.): Broncos defensive end Zach Allen is down on the ground and being looked at by trainers. — McFadden

Fourth-down conversion (2:58 p.m.): Heady stuff from Kirk Cousins on fourth-and-1. Had nobody open but held the ball and held the ball until finding London against J-Mac for 26 yards. — Gabriel

Order of onions for Kirk Cousins. — Schubert

Fun times (2:57 p.m.): Enjoyable sequence for Broncos Country in stadium. Javonte receives push into end zone from multiple teammates and during commercial break members of the No Fly Zone secondary, who helped team win Super Bowl 50 were introduced to a standing ovation: Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, TJ Ward, Darian Stewart, Bradley Roby and David Bruton. Kayvon Webster should also be mentioned as part of this group. … Best secondary in team history. — Renck

Touchdown, Broncos (2:52 p.m.): Javonte Williams took off for a 14-yard touchdown. Well, he got like 12 of the yards and then the rest of the team powered him into the end zone. It was a nine-play, 77-yard drive. Broncos 14, Falcons 3 with 6:16 to go. — Nguyen

Looking like Audric Estime is going to have to wait a little longer for the No. 1 RB job to be his. Javonte Williams is submitting a vintage performance through a quarter and a half. Pretty sure the entire offensive line just carried him into the end zone. — Schubert

Williams has five carries for 32 yards after having one carry last week in Kansas City. — McFadden

They’re definitely putting the clip of that rugby scrum on the sizzle reel when the NFL sends the Broncos to Australia in 2026. — Gabriel

The business (2:51 p.m.): Quinn Meinerz gave LB Nate Landman the business on downfield block. — Renck

Mimsy (2:49 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr., at long last, is on the board with a big play this fall. — Gabriel

Huge 39-yard catch-and-run by Mims. — Nguyen

Bo Nix hits wide open Mims down sideline for 37 yards. Victory for Falcons that he didn’t score. Mims in open field is a joy to watch. Not so much out of the backfield. — Renck

Offensive attack (2:46 p.m.): Broncos offense cannot take foot off pedal in this one. Falcons have multiple mismatches that will continue to play a role until Denver’s D gets a takeaway or two. Atlanta’s lack of pass rush is also alarming. — Renck

Injuries (2:44 p.m.): Falcons had three corners inactive today and have lost CB Kevin King to a concussion. — Gabriel

Casa Bonitto (2:40 p.m.): Kirk Cousins fumbled, giving Nik Bonitto an easy tackle for a loss.

And then Malcolm Roach gets another one the hard way on the next play. — Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — Broncos 7, Falcons 3

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: That went by quickly. Almost certainly means a slog from here.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos’ first drive was a thing of beauty before reverting back to what we saw earlier in the season. Denver better be careful because this game has the potential of being a shoot out due to the amount of weapons Atlanta has on offense.

First-quarter updates

Tale of two drive (2:33 p.m.): Broncos’ fist drive: Very pretty. Broncos’ second drive: Very not. — Gabriel

Uninspiring series for Broncos. Three-and-out with zero net yards. — Renck

Rushing attack (2:32 p.m.): Falcons running back Bijan Robinson had seven touches for 32 total yards on the opening drive. He’s gonna be a problem for Denver throughout the afternoon. — McFadden

Field goal, Falcons (2:29 p.m.): Younghoe Koo knocks in a 41-yard field goal for Atlanta. Broncos 7, Falcons 3 with 1:33 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen

Penalties (2:28 p.m.): Two penalties in scoring territory for the Falcons, though, ain’t gonna work. — Gabriel

Falcons shoot themselves in the foot twice. Otherwise, that drive ends in a touchdown. We might have a shootout coming. — Schubert

Falcons’ offense (2:26 p.m.): Atlanta’s balance already showing through offensively. Bijan is a dude. — Gabriel

Skills (2:23 p.m.): Nobody will remember this play after the game, but Pat Surtain just tackled a guy with one arm. — Schubert

Special teams switch (2:18 p.m.): Looked like the Broncos slid Matt Peart down one spot on the FG unit and had Alex Forsyth outside one spot. So those two trade places on the left side this week after the blocked FG last week. — Gabriel

Touchdown, Broncos (2:14 p.m.): Bo Nix to Nate Adkins for the 12-yard touchdown. A nine-play, 70-yard drive for Denver. Broncos 7, Falcons 0 with 10:31 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1858257509531730314

First drive script from Sean Payton

Whenever a tight end strolls into the end zone untouched, there’s one guy who gets the credit: The play-caller. Masterful first drive for the Broncos. — Schubert

That is Broncos’ most impressive opening drive of the season when consider time, place, opponent and what happened last week. Broncos’ Nix was 4-for-5 for 50 yards and TD. Nix opened Tampa Bay game 4-for-4 for 70. Sean Payton’s institutional knowledge of NFC South at work again. — Renck

Another third-down conversion (2:12 p.m.): Michael Burton with the tough run to get a first down for Denver. — Nguyen

Third-down conversion (2:08 p.m.): Third-and-10? No problem. Bo Nix connects with Courtland Sutton for a 16-yard gain and the first down. — Nguyen

The Broncos are suddenly a third-down juggernaut. Have gone from one of the NFL’s worst groups on third down to one of the best over the past three weeks. — Gabriel

Coin toss (2:05 p.m.): Atlanta wins the toss and defers. Broncos will start with the ball. — Gabriel

Pre-game updates

No-Fly Zone (12:50 p.m.): Great to see members of No Fly Zone at game. See Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart and David Bruton chatting it up at the 40-yard line. Biggest joy in covering team as a beat writer was talking to that group. They were candid, confident and backed it up. — Renck

Injury report (12:41 p.m.): Broncos starting safety Brandon Jones (abdomen) has been ruled OUT of today’s game. Jones was a limited participant at practice and listed questionable on Friday’s injury report.

CB Kris Abrams-Draine, offensive tackle Frank Crum, guard Calvin Throckmorton, TE Greg Dulcich, DL Eyioma Uwazurike and QB Zach Wilson are also inactive. Wilson will serve as the team’s emergency third QB. — McFadden

Game day (12:14 p.m.): It is yet another picture-perfect day at Empower Field a couple hours before Broncos vs. Falcons. It’s Justin Simmons’ return to Denver and it’s a critical game for the Broncos, who have lost two straight and find themselves at 5-5 on the season.

A good number of Broncos players are out doing their normal warmups. At the moment, S Brandon Jones (questionable due to an abdomen issue) is walking the perimiter of the field barefoot. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible he plays, but doesn’t look promising. — Gabriel

Scouting report (10:55 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Falcons in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 28, Falcons 27

This feels like a sneaky-tough matchup given the way Kirk Cousins has been playing, the diversity of Atlanta’s offense and the group’s terrific run game. It’s the kind of challenge that can test even the best secondaries. The brain keeps saying “upset alert.” Sometimes you go instead with the gut. And the gut says Sean Payton’s team is ready for this challenge.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Falcons 21

Inside the locker room in Kansas City, the Broncos were frustrated by letting a victory over the defending champs slip through their fingers. Expect Denver to carry that aggression over to Sunday’s matchup against Atlanta. Bo Nix will take advantage of Atlanta’s inability to generate pressure and have a strong performance at home.

Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 23, Falcons 20

The Broncos insist this team is different. Time to prove it. If they are a playoff team, they need to win at home against a good team. Bo Nix will join Peyton Manning as the only rookie QB to pass for at least 200 yards and multiple touchdowns in four straight home games. And Denver will benefit as slumping Younghoe Koo misses a key kick, staying on brand since Week 4 (8 for 15).

Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 21, Falcons 20

Only two NFL defenses have given up more rush attempts per game to opposing QBs than the Falcons (6.3), and only five are allowing more QB rush yards per tilt than ATL (28.6). Good defense (Broncos) vs. good offense (Atlanta) + meh offense (Broncos) vs. meh defense (Atlanta) means special teams could swing this one. Wil Lutz for the win, kids. What could possibly go wrong?

Broncos-Falcons NFL Week 11: Must-reads

Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons’ return to Denver sparks memories from those he impacted in eight seasons with team

Despite being more than 1,400 miles away, Justin Simmons still considers Denver home. Black and red are his new uniform colors, but he continues to bleed orange and blue.

Simmons’ football career took a different path last spring when the Pro Bowl safety was released from the Broncos in March. The franchise’s longest-tenured player at that time was left to find a new team. He found it in Atlanta, signing a one-year deal with the Falcons in August.

Months after the move, he is still learning to adjust to life away from the Mile High City. Read Ryan McFadden’s full story.

Broncos, QB Bo Nix have engineered major turnaround on third downs over past three games

Over the past three weeks, though, the money down has been an entirely different story for Sean Payton’s offense.

In a win against Carolina (11 of 17) and losses at Baltimore (6 of 14) and Kansas City (7 of 13), the Broncos offense was far from perfect, but really good on third down.

The team over that stretch has converted 24 of 44 chances for a rate of 54.5%. Read Parker Gabriel’s full story.

Renck: Broncos cannot afford to move on from left tackle Garett Bolles

Justin Simmons’ exit left Garett Bolles as the longest-tenured Bronco. His resume is measured in accomplishments — Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, community work — and quarterbacks. Bolles has played with all 14 starters since Peyton Manning retired. He pledged his loyalty to each of them.

Bolles will be a free agent at season’s end, his eighth with the Broncos. He faces an uncertain future in Denver. He shouldn’t. The Broncos cannot afford to lose him. For all of the similarities to Simmons, Bolles’ situation is different. Read Troy Renck’s column.

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