The Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons each enter Week 2 with a win in their season openers last week. The Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-19, while the Falcons dominated the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-24. This Monday Night game certainly has the change at being a shootout.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan led a fast-paced offense to three touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown against a Chiefs defense that allowed 40 points in a season opener for the second straight year. The Broncos will need Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil relentlessly hunting for Ryan behind the line of scrimmage to stop that production. The team also needs to improve its third-down play, having allowed the Steelers to convert on 11 of 19 attempts.
Peyton Manning looked like the quarterback we knew in years past, connecting on 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He found a groove with his top two receivers, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, and tight end Jacob Tamme, completing five passes to each of them.
The Falcons defense held Matt Cassel to 258 yards on 21-of-33 passing while forcing two interceptions. But Cassel isn't anywhere near Peyton Manning's level.
PREDICTION: Broncos 28, Falcons 24 -- Peyton Manning throws three touchdowns and Willis McGahee churns up the ground for the other score.
Tune into ESPN on Monday night at 6:30 p.m. MT to watch these teams play.
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