Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) breaks free from a tackle and keeps the ball for a first down during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)
ATLANTA — With the Falcons, no lead is too big and no lead is ever, ever safe.
The Falcons needed middle linebacker Deion Jones to recover an onside kick late and stop a drive in the final minute to secure a 34-27 victory over the Denver Broncos before 7,665 fans Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After leading 27-6, the defense started playing soft and the offense stalled. They combination allowed the Broncos to get within one score.
Atlanta Falcons fans celebrate a touchdown during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)
The Falcons have blown big leads in three games this season against Dallas, Chicago and Detroit when they had a 98% win-probability.
Playing without leading receiver Calvin Ridley, quarterback Matt Ryan tossed touchdown passes to three different receivers and Todd Gurley scored his ninth rushing touchdown of the season as the Falcons improved to 3-6 on the season. Denver dropped to 3-5.
Here are the five things we learned from the Falcons' win:
National Football League fans sit at a social distance while watching the Atlanta Falcons take on the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020.(Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) completes a catch against the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) falls short of the end zone after completing a catch during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield (20) tackles Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) after he completed a long pass during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means (55) celebrate a sack against the Denver Broncos during an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons players huddle in the tunnel before taking the field to practice before the start go the game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) successfully passes the ball during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders perform in U.S. uniformed service like-outfits during the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank takes the field as the fourth quarter of the game winds down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) celebrates Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell (15) after Zaccheaus caught the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage (83) misses the catch against Denver Broncos defensive back Essang Bassey (34) during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons defensive back Darqueze Dennard (34) practices before the start of an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. Cornerback Darqueze Dennard was activated to the 53-man roster on Saturday in time to face the Denver Broncos at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes Benz Stadium. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris looks at the scoreboard during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell (15) catches the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)The Atlanta Falcons defense puts pressure on Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the first half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley (21) finds a hole as he completes a touchdown run during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) catches the ball in the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons fan removes his mask to cheer for the team during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank (left) greets Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) before the start of an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) practices before the start of an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst (81) completes a catch for a first down during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (17) completes a catch against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell (15) catches the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders perform in U.S. uniformed service like-outfits during the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen (37) intercepts a throw from Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the second half of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos, 34-27. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the second quarter of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Sunday, November 8, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)
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