Broncos vs Falcons preview: Denver looks for rebound win at home

Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos have their opportunity to put a tough loss behind them.

In the process, they keep the Broncos (5-5) hopes alive for a spot in the AFC playoffs . To do so, Denver must beat a good Atlanta Falcons team led by quarterback Kirk Cousins and first-year head coach Raheem Morris. Atlanta enters Sunday's game in the Mile High City at 6-4 and has one of the best offenses in the NFL.

For Nix and the Broncos, turn the page and get a win at home.

Offensive Rankings : Fifth in total offense (375.1 yards per game), 12th in rushing offense (124.7 YPG), fifth in passing offense (250.4 YPG), tied for 13th in scoring (23.8 points per game).

: Twenty-fourth in total offense (303.7 yards per game), 20th in rushing offense (117.1 YPG), 27th in passing offense (186.6 YPG), tied for 22nd in scoring (19.7 points per game).

Defensive Rankings : Twenty-fourth in total defense (352.8 yards per game), tied for 20th in rushing defense (129.4 YPG), 24th in passing defense (223.4 YPG), 20th in scoring (23.6 points per game).

: Fifth in total defense (295.7 yards per game), seventh in rushing defense (103.5 YPG), 10th in passing defense (192.2 YPG), fourth in scoring (17.7 points per game).

Here are the MHR staff's keys to Sunday's game.

Score TDs on offense Save for the loss to the Baltimore Ravens , Nix and the Broncos offense has been fairly effective at moving the ball. Now it's a matter of closing drives with touchdowns. Some form of the offense we saw against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints would be ideal, but finishing drives with touchdowns will give Denver a great shot at winning on Sunday. — Ian St. Clair

Pressure the QB Force Kirk Cousins into uncomfortable situations, like the back of a Volkswagen. Hit him, move him around, and just make his day miserable. Don't let him get comfortable. — Adam Malnati

Establish the run and control the pace of the game The Broncos' rushing attack has been hit or miss in most games this season. It's time to make that a focus and get it moving in the right direction. The Falcons' defense is in the bottom 10 in the NFL in run defense. They are allowing opposing running backs to gain 4.5 yards per carry. The Broncos gave Audric Estime a lot of reps against the Chiefs, and I'd like to see that trend continue against Atlanta. Establishing the run will be important for the Broncos to control the pace of the game and give the defense some time to breathe. — Christopher Hart

Stop the run The Falcons have a premier rushing attack that Kirk Cousins has used to open up an explosive passing game. The Falcons currently rank 5th in total passing offense thanks to that strong rushing game behind Bijan Robinson. This is the best offense the Broncos have faced after the Baltimore Ravens, and we all know how that turned out. Make them one dimension with Cousins, and then tee off the pass rush. — Tim Lynch

Maintain focus and intensity The Falcons are a good football team, but they're still a tier (or 3) down from the Ravens and Chiefs. This is an eminently winnable game if the Broncos bring the same level of focus and intensity as they did in Kansas City. The Broncos can't let being a favorite strip them of the underdog mentality. — Jonathan Rice