DENVER — The Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos have spent the week addressing special teams breakdowns that led to gut-wrenching losses for both.
The Broncos (5-5) are trying to fix their field-goal protection unit after allowing the Kansas City Chiefs — the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions and an AFC West Division rival — to remain unbeaten this season by blocking a 35-yard kick while going for the win as time expired last weekend.
The Falcons (6-4), meanwhile, worked to get scuffling kicker Younghoe Koo back in rhythm after his trio of misses allowed the New Orleans Saints — a fierce NFC South rival — to end a seven-game skid and hand Atlanta its first loss in division play after a 4-0 start in such matchups this season.
Sean Payton’s Broncos are 3-0 against his familiar foes in that division this year — now in his second season in Denver, he coached the Saints from 2006-21 — and all three wins have been by double digits thanks to disruptive defense and a blossoming offense featuring quarterback Bo Nix, who was named the NFL’s rookie of the week after he outplayed Kansas City counterpart and two-time league MVP Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium.
Sunday’s showdown could be a tipping point for both the Broncos and the Falcons, and it features the return of Justin Simmons, the star safety who was jettisoned in a cost-cutting move after eight seasons in Denver.