Credit the New England Patriots with an assist.
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Denver Broncos 23-16 on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. It was an impressive win for the Falcons, who exposed the Broncos’ defense with a game plan that looked like something out of Bill Belichick’s playbook.
“We haven’t seen that scheme since the AFC championship. That’s Patriots all day,” Broncos cornerback Chris Harris said after the game, according to The Denver Post.
Denver’s defense is renowned for hitting quarterbacks in the mouth and shutting down opposing aerial attacks with its exceptional secondary. The Falcons countered those strengths by relying on their running backs in man-to-man coverage against the Broncos’ linebackers.
The result? Atlanta running backs Tevin Coleman (four catches, 132 yards, a touchdown) and Devonta Freeman (three catches, 35 yards) made an impact through the air on a day when stud wide receiver Julio Jones finished with just two catches for 29 yards.
It was a well-executed game plan by Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Co. Belichick would be proud.
Thumbnail photo via Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports Images