Atlanta Falcons
vs.
Denver Broncos
College Football Pick
10/9/19
One of the premier Games of Week 5 will display the hottest offense in the NFL versus the most dominant defense over the last season-plus. Two first-place teams that win different ways will be something very interesting to watch. Denver is listed as a 5.5-point favorite and the over/under for the Game is 47 ACCording to the 5Dimes Sportsbook.
Atlanta comes into Week 5 ranking as the top offense in the entire league — and it’s by a wide margin. The Falcons are averaging 478.8 yards per Game. The next closest is the Dallas Cowboys, averaging 395.8 yards per Game. The Falcons are also tops in the league in averaging 354.3 passing yards per Game — 50 yards per Game better than New Orleans who is second.
Matt Ryan has been very impressive as he’s throwing for more than 350 yards per Game. He’s completing over 70% of his passes and is averaging 10.5 yards per attempt. On top of all that, Ryan has thrown 11 touchdowns versus two interceptions.
In addition to having the NFL’s leading passer, the Falcons also boast the league’s top wide receiver in Julio Jones. Jones has 22 receptions for 488 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging a staggering 22.2 yards per reception. Jones is also coming off one of the biggest Games in NFL-history for a wide receiver. He had 12 receptions, 300 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win against the Panthers.
The test will be Atlanta’s passing attack going against the Broncos’ pass defense. Denver is only allowing 176.0 yards per Game through the air — second-best in the NFL — and is best in the NFL with 17.0 sacks.
Trevor Siemian is not a guarantee to play Sunday as he recovers from a left shoulder injury. Siemian is expected to play and has shown steady improvement as the season has gone along. Should he have to play, Paxton LyNCh played well when he came in last week. He completed 14-of-24 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown.
Whoever ends up playing quarterback for Denver should have opportunities to move the ball throwing to Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Atlanta has the next-to-worst pass defense in the NFL, averaging 317 passing yards per Game to their opponents. Thomas and Sanders are averaging over 150 yards per Game combined.
This one ought to be fun to watch, but I find it difficult to imagine seeing anything other than a Broncos win. They’ve been dominant since finding a way to GAin a come-from-behind win over the Panthers in the season-opener. Atlanta has been great offense, but they’ve faced a buNCh of defenses that are flat out awful or are underperforming (Panthers). The Broncos should be able to move the ball with ease and should be able to get enough stops of the Falcons’ offense. Siemian may be the key to whether this Game can reach the over, though. Assuming Siemian does play,
Denver 31, Atlanta 20