The Broncos can’t keep playing like this.

For the second week in a row, Denver fell far behind their opponent and then worked furiously to close the gap to win. While that worked at home against the Chargers in week eight, there was no more magic this week in Atlanta against the Falcons.

The Broncos can’t keep starting each game like an overweight divorcee easing into a hotel hot tub. Denver has been timid and predictable. There just isn’t an expectation of success within the offense that they will score early in games.

It has become obvious that Drew Lock thrives when the offense goes up-tempo. When there is a sense of urgency, the young Broncos quarterback is a different person. Decisive. Sure of his reads. Without stats in hand, I would even wager that his accuracy goes up as well.

Early in games, it feels like Pat Shurmer is content to sacrifice early possessions with pedestrian play calls that yield pedestrian results. The hallmark of the Mike Shanahan era was that he would script out the first ten plays and they would set the tone for the rest of the game. After 9 weeks of Broncos brand football, it’s become apparent that the same emphasis on starting strong just isn’t there.

In a season riddled with injuries and with COVID quarantines claiming new folks just about every other day, I’ve always said that it is difficult to identify folks on which to pin blame for poor results. However, in the last two weeks, it appears that the Pat Shurmur Drew Lock working relationship has emerged as one of the biggest areas of concern. I believe that Drew Lock has enough juice to make some noise at quarterback for the Denver Broncos, but if he’s going to do so, Pat Shurmur is going to need to change his approach with the young quarterback.

HORSE TRACKS

After near 21-point comeback, Broncos know they must be better to sustain success
The Broncos again nearly completed the impossible, but they know they can't continue to live on the edge.

Albert Okwuegbunam, Demar Dotson leave #DENvsATL after injuries
Dotson suffered a groin injury in the first half and Okwuegbunam left the game in the third quarter.

'He's hit his stride': Jerry Jeudy's first 100-yard game could foreshadow things to come
“He’s what we thought we got when we drafted him,” Head Coach Vic Fangio said of the rookie receiver.

Live game day info: Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons: 11/8/20 | 9news.com
Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 8, 11:00 a.m. MT. Where how to watch free, stream live and more.

Ryan throws 3 TDs as Falcons stop comeback, beat Broncos | FOX31 Denver
ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Ryan took advantage of Denver’s thin secondary to throw three touchdown passes and the Atlanta Falcons turned back Denver’s bid for a second consecutive comeback to beat the Broncos 34-27 on Sunday. Ryan completed 25 of 35 passes for 284 yards with one interception. Atlanta (3-6) improved to 3-1 under interim […]

Lions only have 10 men on field during Dalvin Cook's 70-yard touchdown run in loss to Vikings - CBSSports.com
The Lions have found a new level of ineptitude on the defensive side of the ball

Colts' Philip Rivers makes hilarious attempt at a tackle after Ravens recover fumble - CBSSports.com
Rivers clearly demonstrated why he doesn't play defense

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Mahomes set the record in just 40 games

NFL Week 9 scores, highlights, updates, schedule: Eric Ebron hurdles high over Cowboy for game-winning TD - CBSSports.com
All the best highlights from Week 9 are right here

Kyle Allen injury: Alex Smith moves forward as starter, Ron Rivera and Jabrill Peppers say play unintentional - CBSSports.com
Allen suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury against the Giants on Sunday

Ben Roethlisberger OK after temporarily leaving Steelers' win over Cowboys with a knee injury, per Mike Tomlin - CBSSports.com
Roethlisberger took a shot to his left knee and went to the locker room before halftime

J.J. Watt becomes fourth fastest pass rusher to 100 sacks - ProFootballTalk

Chargers lose another heartbreaker, as Raiders win on replay review - ProFootballTalk

Dolphins outlast Cardinals for 34-31 win - ProFootballTalk

FMIA Week 9: Saints Expose Bitter Truth About Buccaneers In Blowout - Peter King, NBC Sports
Peter King's Football Morning In America column begins with an NFL tribute to Alex Trebek, and then tackles Bucs-Saints, Steelers-Cowboys and more Week 9.

Logan Ryan seals New York Giants' win after wife's medical scare
Giants defensive back Logan Ryan came through on his promise to bring home a game ball for his family after it went through a week that saw his wife hospitalized with an ectopic pregnancy.

Dalvin Cook authors masterpiece performance in Minnesota Vikings' victory over Detroit Lions
Running back Dalvin Cook rushed for a career-high 206 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Deshaun Watson -- Would've been hell if Texans traded Will Fuller
Deshaun Watson was happy the Texans didn't end up trading Will Fuller.

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (25-5) ties Dan Marino for best start by quarterback
Lamar Jackson is now 25-5 since taking over as the Ravens' starter, tying Dan Marino for the best start by a QB since 1966.

Pittsburgh Steelers reach 8-0 for first time in franchise history with ugly win over Dallas Cowboys
It wasn't pretty, but the Steelers rallied from a 13-point deficit against the Cowboys on Sunday to reach 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Browns place QB Baker Mayfield on reserve/COVID-19 list
Cleveland placed Baker Mayfield on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday after close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.

Bolts HC Lynn: 'At some point, good things will happen'
Another nailbiting loss was had by the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, but coach Anthony Lynn believes their effort will eventually lead to triumph.

Pete Carroll after D allows 44 pts: I don't recognize us
Bills quarterback Josh Allen scorched Seattle to the tune of 415 yards and three touchdowns through the air for a 44-34 Buffalo win and a Seahawks defeat that exasperated coach Pete Carroll.

Philip Rivers' unpredictability makes Colts NFL's most frustrating team
The Indianapolis Colts put themselves in good position at the half to beat Baltimore before a poor finish by Philip Rivers derailed any chance of victory. Jim Trotter discusses why the veteran QB's unpredictability makes Indy the NFL's most frustrating te

After lopsided loss, Bucs' need for AB is glaring as ever
Antonio Brown can likely still help provide touchdowns and wins, although neither he nor anybody else wearing a Buccaneers uniform did on Sunday night. Given how terrible the Bucs offense looked in the loss to another top-level team, it certainly looks

NFL Week 9: What we learned from Sunday's games
The Ravens defense held down the Colts for a key win, Dalvin Cook had another huge day in another Vikings win and the Chiefs staved off the Christian McCaffrey-led Panthers.