Monday 10 October 2016 07:17, UK
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman both scored as the Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos 23-16 at Mile High Stadium. It was the Broncos' first loss of the season as rookie Paxton Lynch struggled in his first NFL start.
In 140 Characters...
Rookie QB Lynch struggled as Denver lost unbeaten record. Touchdowns for Freeman and Coleman as Falcons move to 4-1 & extend NFC South lead.
MVP
Tevin Coleman had 163 total yards for the Atlanta Falcons, including a touchdown that put the game beyond Denver.
Game-Changer
In his own end zone and trying to get the offence moving, Broncos quarterback Lynch launched the ball downfield but it was picked off by Ricardo Allen and the Atlanta offence took full advantage, setting up a touchdown for Coleman.
Stat of the Night
3 - Vic Beasley had three sacks on Lynch in a dominant defensive performance. Only six players have managed three sacks in a single game this season.
The game
The Falcons came out firing, Coleman on a 48-yard catch and run on their first drive of the game. As they approached the end zone, the Broncos defence came to life, holding Jason Tamme on a one-yard run to stop him entering for a score. However Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan went for it on fourth down, Devonta Freeman diving in to give Atlanta an early lead. With the Broncos unable to get anything going, the Falcons extended that lead to 10-0 with a 46-yard field goal.
The Broncos responded with a second quarter field goal, but defences dominated the first half as Atlanta added another three points of their own to re-establish a 10-point lead.
Lynch's struggles continued as the rookie threw his first interception of the night, at the start of the second half. The Falcons took advantage, Ryan combining with Coleman on a 31-yard throw to the end zone.
The two teams exchanged field goals before Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas scored from three yards to make the score 23-13. Denver added a 45-yard field goal with 19 seconds to go, hoping they could recover an onside kick, but the Falcons stayed strong to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.
It was the Broncos' first loss of the season and, with the Oakland Raiders beating the San Diego Chargers, leaves both teams at 4-1 in the highly competitive AFC West.
