Falcons Vs. Broncos Recap: The Good Defense, The Bad Manning, And The Ugly Refs

The now 2-0 Falcons played an impressive game in their 27-20 win over Peyton Manning and the Broncos on Monday Night Football.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: William Moore Leads Surprise Secondary

The Atlanta Falcons weren't expected to take care of Peyton Manning by most experts' opinion, and they certainly weren't supposed to confuse and disable the legendary QB. But the Atlanta secondary did just that, grabbing three interceptions in the first quarter and creating four total turnovers in the Falcons' win.

Safety William Moore was the first Falcon defender to grab a pick from Manning on the third play of the game. Moore held back in zone coverage and, in new coordinator Mike Nolan's scheme, confused Manning by first showing blitz. The safety then peeled back and took the interception to the Broncos' 1-yard-line. Atlanta would score three plays later to go up 7-0, and the secondary would set the tone for the entire evening.

"Hopefully it makes a big statement throughout the league," Moore said. "I wouldn’t say we were underestimated or underrated, but we feel like we went out there and did our job. We played some football against one of the best. It was excellent for our secondary. We haven’t been together long with Asante (Samuel) coming in and Brent Grimes down. I feel like we stepped up."

Moore and fellow safety Thomas DeCoud will be relied upon heavily in the new scheme with the corner Grimes out for the season with a foot iinjury.

Read more on the Falcons at The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Atlanta's Secondary Steps Up In Victory

Monday night's win did more than put the Atlanta Falcons at 2-0 - it helped break down the growing perception that Atlanta can't win "big" (read: primetime) games against "big" (read: first-place or marquee names) teams.

The Falcons' secondary made a bold statement early, intercepting Peyton Manning three times in the first quarter, thanks to a series of shifting coverages and looks from new coordinator Mike Nolan. Through just two games, Atlanta has five INTs, three coming at the safety position. Thomas DeCoud, who caught the one of the three INTs, talked to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday night about how the Falcons will now be perceived by the league:

"When you go up against a quarterback of the quality of Peyton Manning and you play well like we did I think it is a statement. You can go out and have one of the best quarterbacks in the game reeling a little bit and kind of on his heels, I think it does make a statement as far as the talent that we have."

Even though Atlanta's offense didn't score enough points to put the game out of reach, the Falcon defense created turnovers in four of the first five Bronco drives.

Read more on the Falcons at The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Replacement Officials Not Getting It Done

There were lots of issues with the replacement officials in Monday night's game between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. Overall, they slowed the game down with calls that had to be overturned by replay officials in the upstairs booth, three of which came in the first half.

On Monday, Mike Pereira, who used to be the league's top official and now works as an analyst for FoxSports, called for an end to the labor situation on SiriusXM NFL radio. He said that replacement officials are over-matched and obviously are not used to calling some of the downfield contact in the passing game.

It's not just downfield contact, though. Failure to make routine calls and maintain order within the game becomes more evident. There was a six-minute delay late in the first quarter after routine fumble, recovery and pile-up that resulted in Ray Edwards drawing a penalty for unnecessary roughness.

Read more on the Falcons at The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Mike Smith Praises William Moore's Monday Night Performance

After defeating the Denver Broncos, 27-21, on Monday night, Atlanta Falcon's head coach Mike Smith was very pleased with what he saw from his team. His defense forced one of the best quarterbacks in the game, Peyton Manning, to throw three interceptions in the first half. After the game, the coach heaped a ton of praise on his safety, William Moore:

"William had a very productive ball game. He seemed to be all over the field. Until I get to watch the tape we won't really get an opportunity to watch the tape because we're going to move on to the San Diego Chargers here in about ten hours. We're going to move on, but William made some plays out there on the field. I was really proud of the guys for the way they played tonight. They played together. There was some adversity that occurred in the ball game and we were very resilient as a team. When we do that you have a chance to win."

Moore finished Monday night's contest with eight tackles -- five of them solo -- one sack, two pass deflections and an interception. His pick of Manning was the first of the quarterback's three turnovers in the first half. Moore now has 15 tackles and two interceptions this season. In the Falcon's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs -- a 40-24 blowout -- Moore had seven tackles and one interception in the game.

The 27-year-old, who played his college ball at Missouri, is in his third year with the Falcons. He finished his 2011 campaign with 40 tackles and two interceptions.

For more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic, and be sure to check out SBNation's dedicated NFL hub for news and analysis.

Falcons Vs. Broncos Final Score: Atlanta Holds On To Win 27-21, Improves To 2-0

The Atlanta Falcons managed to hang on to their lead in a wild, sloppy matchup on Monday Night Football.

Though the team took a 20-7 lead into halftime, the Broncos would go down fighting and made sure to keep it close, with two TD runs scored by Willis McGahee in the final five minutes of the ball game.

But outside of the near fourth quarter collapse, the Falcons defense was nothing short of dominant. They held Peyton Manning to only 240 yards passing, picked him off three times, and sacked him three times. Safety William Moore was all over the field, racking up eight total tackles, an intercpetion, a sack, and big hits on several Broncos players.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Falcons weren't nearly as explosive as last week's win over the Chiefs, but they certainly got the job done.

The running game was once again a non-factor, with Michael Turner only managing 42 yards on 17 carries, but offensive line continued to be an extremely pleasant surprise. In a game involving two excellent pass rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, Matt Ryan was only sacked once.

Ryan himself was pretty sharp as well. Though he only totaled 219 yards on the night, he took good care of the ball and threw two touchdowns. Roddy White had another big MNF performance, catching eight passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.

All in all, it was a crazy and incredibly lengthy primetime game, but one that should have sports pundits and the national media talking about the Falcons as legitimate contenders going forward this season.

Also, your weekly reminder that Willy Mo is, indeed, always ready:

W.A.R. (WillyMo Always Ready) (via carterboyz131)

For more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic, and be sure to check out SBNation's dedicated NFL hub for news and analysis.

Falcons Vs. Broncos Update: Atlanta Up 27-14 With Just Over Ten Minutes Left

Since the second half began, this game has remained very much in the Falcons' hands.

Though the Broncos failed to give up any more turnovers, the Falcons defense did hold them scoreless through the entirety of the third quarter.

The Falcons, though stopped on two of their drives, managed to put together a nice six-play, 64-yard scoring drive capped off by a Roddy White touchdown catch. White would three passes for 45 yards on that drive alone, and top 100 yards for the third time in his last four MNF appearances.

But going into the fourth quarter, Peyton Manning and the Broncos embarked on a massive 15-play, 88 yard drive that sapped a lot of strength out of the defense, and they capped it off with a two-yard Willis McGahee TD run.

With 11 minutes left in this game, the Falcons will try to maintain possession and hold on to their 13-point lead.

For more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic, and be sure to check out SBNation's dedicated NFL hub for news and analysis.

Chris Owens Injury: Falcons CB Out Remainder Of Game With Head Injury

Falcons cornerback Chris Owens left Monday night's contest in the second quarter with an apparent head injury. Atlanta will be without him for the remainder of the game:

INJURY UPDATE: Falcons CB Christopher Owens has a head injury, and he will not return to the game tonight. #atlden12

— Atlanta_Falcons (@Atlanta_Falcons) September 18, 2012

Atlanta lost Pro Bowl CB Brent Grimes for the season during their Week 1 win in Kansas City and starting CB Asante Samuel left Monday's game briefly with a shoulder injury, though he returned one series later.

The Falcons now are down to just four cornerbacks -- Samuel, Dunta Robinson, Dominique Franks and Robert McClain, who intercepted Manning in the first half -- for the remainder of this Monday Night Football game. Atlanta safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud both had first quarter interceptions of Manning, and they may see more coverage duties in the second half to help out a depleted cornerback corps.

For more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic, and be sure to check out SBNation's dedicated NFL hub for news and analysis.

Falcons Vs. Broncos Halftime Score: Atlanta Only Up 20-7 Despite Four Denver Turnovers

Through one half of play, the Falcons defense has kept Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense mostly clueless.

Peyton Manning has thrown three interceptions already - one INT to William Moore, Thomas DeCoud, and Robert McClain - and former UGA star Knowshon Moreno fumbled on one of his two carries in this ball game.

Sure, the ageless Willis McGahee has found some astounding success on the ground so far, with 77 yards on 11 carries.

But holding Manning to seven points of offense, the lone touchdown coming on a third-and-goal pass to Demaryius Thomas with under ten seconds left in the half, is an impressive feat.

Still, this football game has been thoroughly ugly so far. Thirteen penalties have been called, and the replacement refs stumbling their way through an already embarrassing performance.

The Falcons offense has also disappointed somewhat. Despite being gifted four Denver turnovers, the offense has only managed 20 points, and they've generally looked much more conservative than last week.

However, an eight-play 73 yard drive capped off by a Tony Gonzalez TD catch late in the half may be a sign that the Falcons offense is beginning to find their groove.

That's always a good thing when Peyton Manning is still behind center.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Chris Owens Injury: Falcons CB Leaves With Rib Injury

After losing one starting cornerback (Brent Grimes) to injury after Week 1, Atlanta can ill afford to lose more secondary depth. For the time being, they'll be without another corner:

INJURY UPDATE: CB Chris Owens with a rib injury. His return is questionable. Falcons now with two CBs injured in 1st Q (Samuel). #atlden12

— Atlanta_Falcons (@Atlanta_Falcons) September 18, 2012

This comes after starting corner Asante Samuel was injured on Atlanta's last defensive series and left with a neck injury. Samuel's replacement, Robert McClain, intercepted Peyton Manning several plays later. Samuel did return on Atlanta's next series and made a crucial tackle on third-and-five to force a Denver punt.

Owens played mostly nickel corner in the Falcons' season-opening win in Kansas City and was set to see an expanded role in Grimes' absence.

For more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic, and be sure to check out SBNation's NFL hub.

Falcons Vs. Broncos Score Update: Interceptions By William Moore, Thomas DeCoud Have Falcons Up 10-0 Early

This Monday Night matchup between the Falcons and Broncos has gotten off to an absolutely rocking start for Atlanta.

Not even a full quarter into this ball game, the Falcons defense has picked off two Peyton Manning passes, one interception by starting safeties William Moore and Thomas DeCoud each. Interestingly enough, both passes were attempts to the deep right intended for starting tight end Jacob Tamme.

And as all good teams do, the Falcons capitalized on both turnovers. The first would turn into seven points, courtesy of a one-yard TD run by Michael Turner, and Matt Bryant would tack on three points from 37 yards out following the second pick.

The Broncos offense and Manning have looked a little sloppy so far, and all in all the Falcons could not have asked for a much better start to this ball game.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons Update: Manning Intercepted Twice Early

Peyton Manning is not looking very good in the early going against the Altanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome on Monday Night Football.

After slicing up the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night in the season opener, Manning has already been interceptied twice by Atlanta.

The first turnover was courtesy of William Moore on the first Denver drive of the game. Moore was able to theft the future Hall-of-Famer and return it all the way to the Broncos' 1-yard line. Michael Turner was able to punch it in from there, giving Mike Smith's group a 7-0 lead.

The second pick was taken by Thomas DeCoud on Manning's second possession. It wasn't a tough play for DeCoud, with the ball being thrown right into his waiting arms. The miscue gave Atlanta the ball at Denver's 43-yard line.

All in all, Manning is 1-of-4 for 5 yards and two INT's.

For more on the Falcons, please be sure to check out our blog The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta for all the latest news and updates.

Broncos Vs. Falcons Inactives: Sean Weatherspoon Active

Sean Weatherspoon is active, as both the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos announced their inactives for Monday night's contest.

Broncos vs. Falcons: Game Time, TV Schedule, Injury Updates And More

The Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos go head-to-head at the Georgia Dome for Monday Night Football on ESPN.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Stopping Peyton Manning Key For Atlanta

The key for victory for the Falcons is stopping Peyton Manning– easier said than done.

Broncos Vs. Falcons Injury Report: Sean Weatherspoon, Tyson Clabo Questionable For Monday

The Atlanta Falcons listed WR Roddy White, OT Tyson Clabo and LB Sean Weatherspoon as questionable for Monday night's game against the Denver Broncos, and The Falcoholic has the rundown on the status of three key Atlanta starters.

Though Atlanta listed White as questionable in this week's injury report, The Falcoholic's Dave Choate says White is likely to play Monday after he was able to complete a full practice Friday. That means Matt Ryan will have his full complement of weapons to work with, though it will be interesting to see if White is still limited at all with a lingering groin injury.

The news on Clabo and Weatherspoon, however, is not quite as positive, Choate says:

Clabo, meanwhile, did not practice on Thursday and only had limited practices on both Friday and Saturday. If the Falcons are without Clabo, that makes the Broncos' pas rush even more effective. Mike Johnson would start if he could not, and however you feel about Johnson, the Falcons would have a much harder time in both the ground and aerial game without Clabo. Downgrade Turner in particular if Tyson can't go.

Sean Weatherspoon was a limited practice on all three days. He's truly questionable to go, probably a 50/50 chance, and without him the Falcons are obviously a little less athletic and dynamic on defense. When you consider that Robert James or Mike Peterson may be his replacement, and that's a huge downgrade in every sense of the word. He's a risky IDP play.

For more on the Atlanta Falcons (and even fantasy advice!), head over to The Falcoholic, and be sure to check out SBNation's dedicated NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Mike Smith Excited For Monday Night

There's nothing better in sports than seeing two elite athletes go head-to-head and in football, quarterback duels are one of the most exciting aspects of the game.

That's exactly what Atlanta Falcons fans will get to witness on Monday night when the Denver Broncos come into the Georgia Dome, and Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning go at it. The buildup and excitement has been gaining intensity with each passing day, and fans of the NFL are excited for this marqee matchup between two of the game's best signal callers.

After Friday's practice, Falcons head coach Mike Smith spoke on a number or elements leading into the big game. The coach spoke on how the team is preparing for Manning, on Asante Samuel's experience playing against him and if he's provided any useful information, and on having home field advantage.

Smith was also asked if he sees any similarities between Manning and Ryan and the coach noted that the two quarterbacks do indeed share similar qualities:

"Physically, they're almost the same height in terms of size. When you talk about Peyton Manning, you're talking about one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. When you watch Matt at his stage in his career of where he is, I think he's very comparable to Peyton Manning. He has a very good understanding of how to defeat defenses. He knows where to go with the football. He's very accurate, and believe it or not Peyton is sneaky, especially in his younger days, when he tried to escape and run. I think Matt is the same type of guy. He can make plays with his feet when the opportunity arises."

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Injury Report: Demaryius Thomas Fully Participates In Practice

Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (shoulder) fully participated in practice on Friday. Thomas also practiced Thursday and appears on track to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. The same is true for offensive guard Manny Ramirez, who has an elbow injury.

Related: The Falcons' Run Blocking Prowess ... Or Lack Thereof

Cornerback Chris Harris (ankle) and offensive guard Chris Kuper (forearm) were not able to practice on Thursday or Friday. Harris is a reserve who recorded four tackles in the season opener, while Kuper is still on the mend from an injury he suffered during training camp. Kuper, who started all 16 regular season games for Denver last season, is expected to be sidelined for another couple of weeks.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Falcons Injury Report: 3 Starters Limited In Friday's Practice

The Atlanta Falcons injury report lists a number of key players as the Falcons gear up for their Monday Night Football showdown with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Three of the four players listed on Friday's injury report are at the top of the depth chart, and the fourth is a backup for one of the three.

On offense, wide receiver Roddy White was limited with a groin injury. If Monday's game turns into a shootout, Matt Ryan is going to need all of his targets. Protection will also be key, making it all the more unfortunate that starting right tackle Tyson Clabo was limited with a hip injury.

On the defensive side of the ball, starting linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was limited in practice with a hamstring injury. To make things worse, backup linebacker Robert James was also limited.

With none of the players listed as out or as not participating in practice, their ability to play at full strength in Monday night's game is still uncertain. Atlanta will need a strong effort from anyone who can give one, whether it's their top performance or not.

Stick with this StoryStream for more from the Falcons in Week 2, or head over to Falcons blog The Falcoholic for complete analysis and commentary.

Denver Broncos Vs. Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta's Defense Wants To Match Peyton Manning's Tempo

The Atlanta Falcons' defense faces a big test on Monday night when they face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Manning showed success in week one when he used the no huddle offense against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Falcons linebacker Sam Witherspoon says that one of the big keys for Sunday's game is to match Manning's tempo:

It's all about matching his tempo. I think it comes during the week with everyone working that way. We're going to work as if we're not going to be able to huddle. I think that'll help us once we step out there. We're going to go out there and match that tempo the best way we can

Conditioning is also going to be an important part of Sunday's game. Linebacker Mike Peterson, who played with Manning in Indianapolis as well as against him as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, pointed to game film of the Steelers defense where they looked visibly tired late in the game.

The Falcons may have struggled in the first half of week one, but the defense clamped down and helped secure a win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Witherspoon believes if they take the right lessons from the Chiefs victory, they will have a chance against the Broncos.

As a defense, you're giving up yardage, you're going to get a little more tired than what the offense is. They're going to be excited about the next play. We have to have the mindset, even when he gets us, we have to bounce back and be ready on the next snap and ready to play and take it one snap at a time.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Denver Broncos Vs. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Smith Prepares For Peyton Manning

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith spoke with reporters on Thursday about preparing for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Smith knows that it doesn't take much for Manning to make a defense pay for its mistakes:

The most important thing is we have to play sound technique and make sure we're in the right place. If you're in the wrong place by a half yard you're going to pay for it. He has a good understanding of how you're trying to defend him. If you give him pre-snap reads he's going to know where to go with the football

Smith knows that the key to staying with a Manning-led offense is to take advantage of the drives and opportunities that the offense will have:

It's important because if they're playing efficiently and moving the football you may have to match them drive for drive. That's the beauty of the game. Sometimes it's going to be that way and the offense will have the upper hand. Other games the defense will hold the upper hand.

The Falcons play the Broncos on Monday Night Football, broadcast on ESPN with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Week 2 NFL Picks: Broncos Vs. Falcons

The Broncos-Falcons meeting on Monday night is a toss up among NFL experts around the web.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Three Things to Watch

The wait for fans is a little longer than usual, as the week seems ever-longer until Monday night. Thankfully the rewards will be great, as the Falcons-Broncos match up looks to be one of the best games of the week. It's a game that features two offenses, both of whom featured heavy run schemes in 2011, but now look like decidedly past-first organizations. Let's take a look at three things to watch on Monday night.

1. The need for offensive balance

Last Sunday the Falcons displayed a balanced offense in which they ran the ball 23 times, and passed 31 times– it's this kind of offense that will have success. Against the Broncos the Steelers, minus Rashad Mendenhall displayed a pass heavy scheme, which proved unsuccessful. Ben Roethlisberger passed 40 times, and Pittsburgh ran the ball an uncharacteristically low 26 times. Denver pulled the team out of their element, and it showed. If the Falcons can manage to stay in their lane, and play their own game they'll be in good stead.

2. Get Julio Jones involved early, and often

Despite playing a pass-heavy game, the Steelers struggled because they couldn't get their wide receivers the ball. Antonio Brown had a decent day, but Mike Wallace was completely diffused by effective pass defense. Meanwhile, Atlanta succeeded against the Chiefs last week, largely in part to the contribution from Julio Jones. He's a near-impossible match-up, and that alone should cause headaches– but it will be all about how Matt Ryan can stand in the pocket and ensure his second year receiver is able to make plays.

3. Rushing Peyton Manning

It's a task that's easier said than done: rush a future hall of famer. Throughout his career Manning has shown an innate ability to keep his head on a swivel, and get the ball out with lightning quickness. Against the Steelers he managed to be sacked just two times, and a normally dominant defense really had trouble phasing Manning. Last week the Falcons totaled three sacks against Kansas City, but this is a far more talented offensive line, and a far better quarterback. John Abraham will be vital in getting to Manning, and he'll need to turn in a similar performance to last week in which he registered a sack and a force. If the Falcons can get consistent pressure on Manning they'll make huge headway in winning this game.

For more on the Falcons please visit The Falcoholic, and stay here at SB Nation Atlanta.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Looking To Establish Running Game

Establishing the run game is going to be a priority for the Atlanta Falcons when they play against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, and the Falcons are confident in their ability to set the tone.

Michael Turner running the ball wasn't the theme of the high volume scoring seen from the Falcons in their when against the Chiefs in Week 1, but Turner is expecting to perform whenever he is handed the ball despite the heavy focus in passing.

"That's what I've been used to the last couple of years," Turner said on Thursday. "Now I've just got to take advantage of the opportunities that I get on the field. Ten, 20, 30, I've got to be ready for each carry."

The important part about establishing the run is that it will help the passing game as well, which is where the Falcons really want to beat teams -- down the field.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: No Huddle Offenses Featured On Both Sides

The Falcons and Broncos are two teams that are expected to feature high-energy, no huddle offenses this season, as the Falcons have been known to do with Matt Ryan and as Peyton Manning has become famous for in his career.

Broncos head coach John Fox said he thinks both defenses will be at an advantage when the teams face off on Sunday.

"They utilized the no huddle even when I was out there," Fox said on Thursdays' conference call with the Atlanta media. "That's what makes them such a good offense. They've got the ability to get big and pound you and get small and stretch you that way. That's what good offenses are capable of and they're one of them."

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Falcons Injury Report: Atlanta With Three Players Limited In Practice On Thursday

As the Atlanta Falcons prepare for their showdown with the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football next week, the team could be without a few key players due to injury. According to the official team injury report, Robert James, Sean Weatherspoon and Roddy White all had limited participation in practice on Thursday.

James, a fourth year linebacker, is currently nursing an injury to his knee. Weatherspoon, Atlanta's starting weakside linebacker, has a hamstring injury. White, the Falcon's All-Pro wide receiver, has an injury to his groin.

The Falcons also lost starting cornerback Brent Grimes to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in their 40-24 blowout victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday.

In a game billed as a showdown between Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning, the aforementioned Ryan can ill-afford to be without his main receiving target. On defense, the Falcons certainly can't afford to be without one of their key starters on defense with Manning under center for the Broncos.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

NFL Odds Week 2: Broncos Vs. Falcons

Las Vegas oddsmakers are expecting a close game between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. The Falcons opened as 3.5-point favorites, though that line has moved a bit and they're now 3-point favorites.

Related: Falcons Fans, Don't Fear Peyton Manning

Both teams looked good in Week 1 wins. The Falcons defeated the Chiefs, 40-24, behind a fantastic performance from quarterback Matt Ryan, who accounted for four touchdowns. The Broncos beat the Steelers, 31-19, in Peyton Manning's first game back from a neck injury. Those two players figure to be the focal points in Monday night's game, but there are plenty of other interesting storylines, including the matchup between Atlanta's wide receivers and Denver's secondary.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, visit Falcons blog The Falcoholic as well as Broncos blog Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Asante Samuel's Experience Vs. Peyton Manning Key For Atlanta

Asante Samuel will start at cornerback in the Atlanta Falcons' Week 2 game against the Denver Broncos, the Falcons' official website reports. That's good news for Falcons fans, as Samuel has 11 pass breakups and three interceptions against Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.

Samuel faced Manning 11 times during his years with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles while the quarterback was with the Indianapolis Colts. His experience includes the 2006 AFC championship game, in which he intercepted a Manning pass and returned it 39 yards for a score (though Manning's Colts beat Samuel's Pats, 38-34) and a 2010 Eagles victory in which Samuel picked off Manning twice and was a key contributor to Philly's 26-24 victory.

The Falcons will need everything they can get from Samuel, as Manning looked sharp in his Week 1 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, going 19-for-26 for 253 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

Stick with this StoryStream for more coverage from the Falcons in Week 2. For complete coverage, check out Falcons blog The Falcoholic. For coverage from across the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Former Falcon Keith Brooking Returns To Georgia Dome

Keith Brooking, a former standout linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, is set to make his return to the Georgia Dome on Sunday as a member of the Denver Broncos. Brooking played for the Falcons from 1998 to 2008, making five Pro Bowl within that span. When the Falcons declined to re-sign Brookings in 2008, he was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys. He spent three years with Dallas, one of which included an odd scene against his former team:

It was somewhat comical - and certainly out of character - how he trash-talked his former team and mocked them during Dallas' win. (He later apologized for the trash-talking. But when asked about taunting the team by flapping his arms like a bird during the game, he responded, "I ain't apologizing to anybody."

The Broncos signed Brooking in August, and he missed much of the preseason with a hamstring injury. Denver is now using him primarily on special teams and, to a lesser extent, to spell weakside linebacker Wesley Woodyard.

Stick with this StoryStream for more coverage from the Falcons in Week 2. For all things Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic.

Falcons Add James Rodgers To Practice Squad

The Atlanta Falcons have signed James Rodgers - brother of running back and return specialist Jacquizz Rodgers - to the practice squad as a wide receiver, according to their official site. Rodgers, an undrafted free agent in 2012, saw significant time at the receiver position in all four of the Falcons' preseason games this summer but was cut on August 31 during the final move to establish Atlanta's 53-man roster. Per the Falcons' site, he'll join brother Jacquizz as a multiple record holder in his time with the Beavers:

He established a school record with 222 career receptions, including an OSU record 91 catches in 2009. He also set the Oregon State career record with 6,377 all-purpose yards and is the first player in OSU history with 1,000 yards rushing and 2,000 yards receiving.

Currently Jacquizz Rodgers is working in the return game, but James also fielded punts and kickoffs during the preseason.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: With Brent Grimes Out, Focus On Secondary

Losing a cornerback for the season in your first game is never a good start. It gets only worse when your next game is against Peyton Manning.

That's the situation the Atlanta Falcons are in after Brent Grimes suffered an Achilles tendon injury in Week 1. Not having Grimes on the field will be a strange feeling, according to AtlantaFalcons.com.

"It’s hard. He’s one of my closest friends on the team. We spend a lot of time together," safety Thomas DeCoud said of Grimes on Tuesday. "It’s just one of those things where I have to fight through it, as well. I’m missing one of my closest guys back there, so I’ve got to stay focused and make sure I keep myself in the game."

There is extra pressure on Christopher Owens and Dominique Franks, who will be shifting up in the depth chart. Dunta Robinson will take Grimes' starting spot opposite Asante Samuel.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Christopher Owens In At Nickel Corner

Last Sunday's win did not come without consequence for the Atlanta Falcons, as cornerback Brent Grimes was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

The injury means that Dunta Robinson will shift from the nickel cornerback to the right cornerback, and Christopher Owens will become the team's new third cornerback.

The full depth chart heading into Monday's game is below, courtesy of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Offense

WR 11 Julio Jones 83 Harry Douglas

LT 72 Sam Baker 76 Lamar Holmes

LG 63 Justin Blalock 68 Phillipkeith Manley

C 62 Todd McClure 61 Joe Hawley 66 Peter Konz

RG 75 Garrett Reynolds 66 Peter Konz 79 Mike Johnson

RT 77 Tyson Clabo 79 Mike Johnson 76 Lamar Holmes

TE 88 Tony Gonzalez 81 Michael Palmer 87 Tommy Gallarda

WR 84 Roddy White 15 Kevin Cone

QB 2 Matt Ryan 12 Luke McCown 4 Dominique Davis

RB 33 Michael Turner 44 Jason Snelling 32 Jacquizz Rodgers 35 Antone Smith

FB 45 Lousaka Polite

Defense

RE 55 John Abraham 90 Lawrence Sidbury 98 Cliff Matthews

DT 94 Peria Jerry 99 Vance Walker

DT 95 Jonathan Babineaux 92 Travian Robertson

LE 93 Ray Edwards 71 Kroy Biermann 96 Jonathan Massaquoi

OLB 56 Sean Weatherspoon 51 Robert James

MLB 52 Akeem Dent 53 Mike Peterson

OLB 54 Stephen Nicholas 53 Mike Peterson

CB 23 Dunta Robinson 21 Chris Owens Terrence Johnson

CB 22 Asante Samuel 27 Robert McClain 29 Dominique Franks

S 25 William Moore 24 Chris Hope

S 28 Thomas DeCoud 26 Charles Mitchell

Special Teams

K 3 Matt Bryant

KO 5 Matt Bosher

P 5 Matt Bosher

KR 32 Jacquizz Rodgers

PR 83 Harry Douglas 29 Dominique Franks

LS 47 Josh Harris

H 5 Matt Bosher

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

NFL Schedule 2012 Week 2: Monday Night Showdown Between Falcons and Broncos Highlights Week

Peyton Manning, fresh from a Sunday night victory to open his first season with the Denver Broncos, will visit the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night in one of Week 2s key matchups.

The Falcons looked more than prepared for their opening week showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, as Atlanta throttled the Chiefs, 40-24 behind quarterback Matt Ryan's three touchdown passes.

Other key games in the NFC South include:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants, Sunday Sept. 16, 1 p.m. EST

After the defending Super Bowl champion Giants came out somewhat rusty against the Cowboys to open the 2012 season, they'll look to top the reinvigorated looking Bucs.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers, Sunday Sept. 16, 1 p.m. EST

After dropping their opener to the Buccaneers, the Panthers will look to rebound against the Saints, also looking to rebound from an opening week loss to the Washington Redskins.

A full schedule can be found at NFL.com

For more on the Falcons visit The Falcoholic and SB Nation Atlanta. SB Nation's NFL hub has you covered for news on all 32 teams.

2012 NFL Power Rankings: Falcons Land Among League's Best

The Falcons land at No. 10 on the SB Nation NFL power rankings, but rank much higher at ESPN and CBS Sports.

Atlanta Falcons Sign Terrence Johnson

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Terrence Johnson, just one day after the Falcons placed injured cornerback Brent Grimes on the injured reserve list, ending his season.

Johnson appeared in 10 games as a member of the Colts in 2011, registering 37 total tackles with no interceptions.

The folks over at The Falcoholic, SB Nation's Falcons blog, have some details on Johnson:

Terrence Johnson is fast. Johnson is fairly young (26 years old). Johnson has experience playing cornerback for an NFL team. Outside of that, you'd be hard-pressed to mount a strong case for this signing, being reported by the reliable Adam Caplan as imminent.

Johnson was an undrafted free agent who bounced around practice squads during his first season in the NFL. He wound up being pressed into slot duty for a while with the Colts' woeful secondary in 2011 before landing on injured reserve in late October, where he showed a penchant for being able to catch up with and tackle guys but not necessarily to stop them from catching the ball.

Johnson is fast -- but he'll apparently need to improve on his defensive skills if he's going to be an asset to Atlanta's secondary.

If nothing else, the Falcons appear to making a legitimate effort to improve their secondary depth. We'll see the Falcons have any other moves up their sleeves, and how this signing works out in the coming weeks.

Be sure to check out The Falcoholic for all things Falcons.

NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Atlanta Falcons Break Into Top 10

The Atlanta Falcons rose up many power rankings lists after their 40-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in week one. In the SB Nation Power Rankings, the Falcons rose three spots to break into the top 10 at No. 10:

Scoring on your first eight possessions to open the season is alright. The Falcons punted once in a 40-point beat down against the Chiefs in their own place, Arrowhead. The Matt Ryan/Mike Smith combination has yet to win a playoff game. This sure looks like the team to break that trend.

However, in the ESPN.com, NFL.com and National Football Post power rankings, the Falcons are ranked No. 6 in each of them. ESPN.com's Mike Sando says that this is now officially Matt Ryan's team:

Looks like the formerly run-oriented Falcons are officially Matt Ryan's team.

On NFL.com, the Falcons are ranked slightly ahead of the Chicago Bears at No. 7 and six points behind the Denver Broncos at No. 5. On the National Football Post, they say that a new prolific quarterback-receiver combo is emerging in Atlanta:

Send a memo out to the league that Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are going to put up big numbers this season.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Falcons Add Phillipkeith Manley To Practice Squad

The Atlanta Falcons have made another minor roster move, signing offensive lineman Phillipkeith Manley to the practice squad just days after cutting him to make room for receiver Drew Davis. Here's the official statement from the Falcons' web site:

Manley, 6-5, 309 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on April 30, 2012 out of Toledo. In 2011, he helped pave the way for the Rockets offense to rush for 2,777 yards, including RB Adonis Thomas, who logged a team-high 1,071 yards.

The Falcons' biggest concern on the offensive line will be at left tackle, as backup and former starter Will Svitek was lost for the year with a knee injury in the preseason.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons Odds: Atlanta Three-Point Favorites Over Denver

The Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos face off next week on Monday Night Football, and if you're into high-profile, quarterback duels, then you won't want to miss two of the best in the game go at it in Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan.

Manning was impressive in dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday when he threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 31-19 victory. Ryan was equally impressive in the Falcons' season opener as he threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns to help Atlanta crush the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-24.

According to Oddshark, the Falcons playing in the comforts of the Georgia Dome gives them the edge over the Broncos by 3. Of course this number could change as the week progresses and the game draws nearer, so stay tuned.

For updates on the Falcons, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check out Falcons blog, The Falcoholic. For more information the Denver Broncos, check out Mile High Report. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Broncos Vs. Falcons: Mike Smith Wants More From Run Game

Good head coaches can find problems, even in blowout victories. Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith is one of those coaches.

Smith wants to see more production out of his running game, as the Falcons get ready for a Monday night contest against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

"We've got to run it more effectively and more efficiently than we did [Sunday]," Smith said. "We have to sustain our blocks. We missed some blocks. We missed some cuts. I think it was a group effort. That is something that we want to make sure we address in the next couple of days because we want to be able to run the ball effectively. Going into the game plan this week, it wasn't the main thing that we wanted to get accomplished."

Running the ball effectively, and therefore controlling the clock and pace of the game, is certainly one way to beat the Broncos. The best way to beat a quarterback like Peyton Manning is to keep him on the sidelines -- and that's exactly what the Falcons may try to do next week.

For more on the Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic.

Falcons Brent Grimes Out For Season, Fans: Don't Hit That Panic Button Just Yet

Brent Grimes Injury: Falcons DB To Miss Rest Of Season With Achilles Injury

The Atlanta Falcons suffered a huge blow on Sunday when cornerback Brent Grimes suffered an Achilles injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Grimes was tagged as a the team's franchise player during the offseason and reluctantly signed the tender after the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on a long term contract.

The injury will force the Falcons to go with Asante Samuel and Dunta Robinson likely as the team's starting corners. Atlanta acquired Samuel from the Eagles during the offseason but it was Grimes who was the team's starting left corner.

Up next for the Falcons is a Monday night matchup against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the team's home opener.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Atlanta. For more in-depth coverage, check outFalcons blog The Falcoholic. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.

Brent Grimes Injury: Falcons Cornerback Left Sunday's Game With Calf Injury

Brent Grimes was hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game.

Atlanta Falcons Schedule Preview, Week 2: Monday Night Duel With Peyton Manning

If I could think of one game on the Falcons schedule that jumps out at you and screams "this is huge," well, a Monday Night Football matchup at home against the Denver Broncos would be really hard to top.

2011 Finish: 8-8 (45-10 loss to New England in playoffs)
Noteworthy Stats: Had No. 1 rushing offense, No. 31 passing offense in the NFL
Key Additions: Some guy with a big head, CB Tracy Porter, TE Joel Dreessen, TE Jacob Tamme
Key Losses: Some Christian quarterback, S Brian Dawkins, CB Andre Goodman, DT Broderick Bunkley, WR Eddie Royal, FB Spencer Larsen

Denver is down one Tim Tebow, but they added a Peyton Manning to replace him at quarterback. This was a team that made the playoffs and possessed a very capable defense in 2011, but an offense that boggled minds with its inconsistency and inability to score before the fourth quarter.

That offense is now commanded by perhaps the best QB to ever play the game. But will he be the MVP Manning of the 2000s, or will we bear witness to a hollow version of the all-time great?

To answer this question, I'll turn to baseball for help. Adam Wainwright, a pitcher whom was considered by many to be a Cy Young snub two years ago (20 wins, 2.42 ERA), missed all of the 2011 season following Tommy John surgery.

He came into 2012 "fully healthy," according to his manager, but (predictably) started off slow. His velocity was there, but the control wasn't. An ERA of 4.56 before the All-Star break, compared to a 2.32 ERA afterwards, tells it all. It took Wainwright almost four months before he was finally pitching at the expected level, at peak performance.

And that was one surgery. Manning had four surgeries on his neck, at age 36 no less. Four! He missed an entire season of football. He's playing for a new coach on a new team with new receivers. Chances are, he'll be rusty.

With dome-field advantage and the national spotlight on Atlanta, look for the Falcons to step up big.

The new-look offense and the red-hot Julio Jones should match up well against a secondary that features an aging Champ Bailey, Porter, and two unproven guys at safety. And the defense should be able to contain Manning just enough to win by a score or two.

Verdict: Win
Another close one, but a rusty Manning combined with home-field noise should be the difference for the Falcons.

For more on this game Falcons fans should visit The Falcoholic and Ravens fans should check out Baltimore Beatdown. For more news and notes from around the NFL head over to SB Nation'sNFL hub page.