Broncos at Falcons second quarter recap

The Denver Broncos began the second quarter in Atlanta Falcons territory. On their second play, they ran an end around to KJ Hamler who got free in space for a 15 yard gain into field goal range.

An incomplete pass to Jerry Jeudy on first down and a poor Drew Lock throw across his body was almost intercepted. On third and 10, Lock went to Tim Patrick in the end zone who was tackled in the end zone, but the pass was uncatchable.

Falcons 10, Broncos 3.

After converting another third down on their first series to bring their total to 5/6 in the first half on third downs, the Falcons continued to target Devontae Harris for another first down.

Near midfield, the Broncos for a tackle for a loss when Essang Bassey came up to stop Todd Gurley for a three yard loss. Harris was beat deep on the next play for a 42-yard reception to Olamide Zaccheaus to the Broncos 13 yard line.

Two plays later the Falcons faced a third and four from the Broncos nine yard line. Justin Simmons was beat that time in coverage to expand the Falcons lead to 14.

Falcons 17, Broncos 3.

Tyrie Cleveland finally got going on a kickoff. He took the ball from the 1 yard line and got it out to the 30.

Phillip Lindsay was unable to hold up in pass protection as he gave up the sack on Drew Lock when the Falcons brought a blitz on first down. The 11 yard loss was cut in half with a draw to Lindsay up the middle for six yards. On third and 15, Lock completed to Melvin Gordon for a nine yard gain. A three and out is not what the Broncos were hoping for from their offense down by two touchdowns.

The Falcons wasted little time getting out near midfield on their next drive. On a third and six, Harris once again got beat and tackled Julio Jones for a 15 yard pass interference call to the Broncos 43 yard line.

Harris then whiffed on a tackle on Jones on the very next play that helped the Falcons to get another first down into field goal range. Harris had been targeted seven times with the only incompletion being called for that defensive pass interference.

Harris was benched at this point for Kevin Toliver II who was immediately beat for 21 yards down to the Broncos 13 yard line.

Two plays later, the Falcons were once again faced with a third down. The Broncos defense had only stopped them once in seven attempts on third down up to that point in the game. After tipping the previous pass, Dre’Mont Jones came up big on third down with a sack to force the Falcons to kick a field goal.

Falcons 20, Broncos 3.

KJ Hamler started back there on the kick off return unit and got the ball out to the 31 yard line for the Broncos with 1:35 left in the first half. They would convert the first third down with a Lock throw to Hamler out to midfield.

The Broncos didn’t like that they had a single timeout left, so they ran the ball for one yard with 37 seconds left. That decision would bring out the punt unit one play later.