The Falcons will see old friend Sean Payton this weekend as the club travels to Denver to take on the Broncos.
Atlanta’s defense will surprisingly have its hands full with Payton’s offense, led by Bo Nix. It’s not robust with the marquee names of other offenses, but it’s effective because Payton is still one of the best in business, and Nix is executing.
The strength of the Broncos’ team lies on the defensive side of the ball, particularly the pass rush, which might be the best in the NFL. The Falcons offense is going to be put to the test this week at Mile High, but they’ve got the horses, pun intended, to upset the Broncos, and Payton knows it.
“I think we all have been conditioned to a [No.] 1 and a [No.] 2. They’re both different types of receivers completely,” Payton said about Darnell Mooney and Drake London, via Sports Illustrated. “Then you deal with the tight end, and we haven’t even talked about the [running back]. So I think they’re different types of players.”
With Kirk Cousins in the fold, Atlanta’s weapons have started to realize their potential, especially Mooney and London. In the prior two seasons with the Bears, Mooney hadn’t eclipsed 500 yards receiving. Through 10 games, he’s already accumulated 684 yards, followed by London’s 649 yards.
In fact, the wide receiver duo is the only one in the NFL to be in the top eight of touchdowns and yards, something only two other duos — Randy Moss & Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison & Reggie Wayne — have accomplished.
As Payton mentions, then “you deal with the tight end,” with Kyle Pitts finally looking like the player the Falcons saw in his rookie campaign. Pitts is on pace to eclipse his combined production from the last two seasons.
That doesn’t even mention Bijan Robinson, who is averaging nearly 5.0 yards per carry, totaling 748 yards and six touchdowns this year. Don’t forget about Robinson in the passing game either. His 331 yards receiving on 41 receptions puts him over 1,000 scrimmage yards and only a few scores away from double-digit touchdowns.
The Falcons have the kind of weapons that will make defensive coordinators’ heads spin. They complement each other and have the point guard, Kirk Cousins, to distribute the rock to them.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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