Intriguing Individuals: Falcons vs Broncos

The gargantuan task of naming five Atlanta Falcons falls to me and this week’s intrigue focuses on players that need to step up. Several Falcons defenders will have to step up their game with multiple injuries entering the weekend. Also, the Falcons’ offense faces a formidable challenge against the Broncos’ defense, and will need players on that side of the ball to carry significant burdens.

Clark Phillips

Falcons’ second-year cornerback Clark Phillips has filled in admirably throughout this year whenever starting corner Mike Hughes needed a breather. But this week, he’ll have to step up due to the absences of Hughes and nickel cornerback Dee Alford. Phillips could start at either outside or slot cornerback against the Broncos, and it’ll mark a critical opportunity for his future.

He is auditioning to have a larger role in the defense come 2025, when Hughes and Alford become free agents. Phillips’s performance in their stead will go a long way in determining his potential future as a starter, or if he’s seen as just a capable backup.

Nate Landman

With linebacker Troy Andersen set to miss another game, it’ll fall on Nate Landman to pick up the slack. While Landman’s run-stopping abilities are unquestioned, his skills on passing downs leave much to be desired. Containing the mobility of Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who ranks fifth among passers in rushing yards, will be a challenge for the Falcons’ defense.

With Kaden Elliss producing as a pass-rusher, the Falcons will likely task Landman with spying on Nix on passing downs. That got him in trouble a couple of times two weeks ago against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Landman will have to do better.

Matthew Bergeron

The Broncos sport one of the league’s best pass rushes, and it’ll be left guard Matthew Bergeron who may draw the toughest matchup from defensive tackle Zach Allen.

Allen leads all NFL interior defensive linemen with 48 pressures this year, and about 65 percent of his pass-rushing snaps see him lined up on the right side of the defense, which faces the offense’s left side. While Bergeron will have his hands full on passing downs, he can assert his will on run downs, where Allen has been less effective.

Darnell Mooney and Drake London

The more intriguing of the two should be whichever wideout draws the Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II in coverage. The Broncos often shadow Surtain against the opposing team’s top wideout successfully, leaving either Mooney or London to feast on his Broncos teammate Riley Moss.

If the Falcons offense is going to put up the necessary points to win this game, they’ll need whoever faces Moss to dominate this game. And it wouldn’t hurt that whoever draws Surtain also makes him have an unusually rough day.