DENVER — The Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons spent the week addressing special teams breakdowns that led to gut-wrenching losses.
The Broncos (5-5) are trying to fix their field-goal protection unit after allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to remain unbeaten by blocking a 35-yard would-be game-winner as time expired last weekend.
The Falcons (6-4) worked to get scuffling kicker Younghoe Koo back in rhythm after his trio of misses allowed the New Orleans Saints to end a seven-game skid and hand Atlanta its first loss in five games against the NFC South.
Sean Payton’s Broncos are 3-0 against his familiar foes in that division this season, and all three wins have been by double digits thanks to disruptive defense and a blossoming offense featuring quarterback Bo Nix, who was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week after he outplayed Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium.
Sunday’s showdown could be a tipping point for both franchises and it features the return of Justin Simmons, the star safety who was jettisoned in a cost-cutting move after eight seasons in Denver.
Simmons’ $18.25 million salary for 2024 was too rich for the Broncos, who are saddled with an enormous dead cap charge from Russell Wilson’s departure. Simmons signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Falcons after the safety market dried up.
“Hey bro, you see me coming across the middle, just remember we’re friends,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton texted his former teammate ahead of their reunion.
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) chases after the ball after his last-second field goal attempt was blocked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 16-14. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Both the Broncos and Simmons have thrived after their split. Denver again features one of the league’s best defenses and it replaced Simmons with free agent Brandon Jones, whose three-year, $20 million contract was much more…
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