FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall spent time in Atlanta over the off-season working on their timing and training together for the coming year.
Nine games into the season the work seems to be paying off. Cutler has found Marshall 57 times for 714 yards and four touchdowns. Marshall had an 18-catch game earlier in the season and Denver ranks third in the NFL in passing offense.
Their return to Atlanta, however, won't be a game of uncontested pitch-and-catch.
There's a defense involved in this matchup. A motivated defense.
The Falcons (6-3) knocked away 15 passes last week against New Orleans (the NFL's best pass offense) en route to a 34-20 victory. Erik Coleman, Chris Houston and Chevis Jackson each recorded interceptions as quarterback Drew Brees, a likely MVP candidate, was held to his lowest completion percentage of the season.
"We accepted the challenge," safety Lawyer Milloy said. "That's what we're capable of doing... It's getting fun. we're showing we can make those plays. We have a bend but don't break style of defense, especially when our offense is putting points on the board and running the ball, but we also showed everyone when we need to pressure the quarterback we can do that also."
But the Broncos don't throw the ball in the same style as the Saints. Cutler moves outside pocket and the ball gets out of his hands quickly.
"They do some things in terms of scheme that is much different than what we've seen," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "This is more of a traditional five- and seven-step drop (team)."
Cutler threw for a career-high 447 yards last week in a victory over Cleveland, carrying the team after another Broncos running back went down with a season-ending injury.
"I can't tell them anything they don't already know," cornerback Domonique Foxworth said when asked about his former team's quarterback. "All the things he did in practice are the things he's doing in games. He has a strong arm. He's a smart guy. He's really competitive; he's never going to give up. You saw in that last game he put his team on his back and won."
Denver turned the ball over 11 times in a three-game losing streak earlier in the season, including a five-turnover game at New England. A few interceptions or fumble recoveries could be a difference in the game.
"These are two offenses going against each other that have had some success," Smith said. "They've been able to have a lot of success throwing the football and our offense is one of the top rushing teams in the league. They're going to come out and do what they do and we're going to have to come out and do what we do. It's going to be a really tough game this week."
WELCOME HOME: The team plans to honor the 1998 Falcons at halftime of Sunday's game. More than 35 players and coaches from the team's only NFC Championship squad are expected to attend including quarterback Chris Chandler, kicker Morten Andersen, wide receiver Terance Mathis, coach Dan Reeves, defensive end Chuck Smith, linebacker Jessie Tuggle and tackle Bob Whitfield.
Ironically, two members of the Broncos organization (assistant general manager Brian Xanders and assistant coach Ronnie Bradford), will be in the building. Bradford played cornerback and safety for the Falcons while Xanders was listed as a coach.
Denver defeated the Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII 34-19.
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: Three Falcons are questionable for the game including kicker Jason Elam (hip). Elam was limited in practice on Friday but has dealt with soreness in his hip the past few seasons.
The 16-year veteran has made 19-of-21 field goals this year and is on track to tie the club's single-season scoring mark (138).
Defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead (foot) is doubtful after missing every practice this week. He's been a key reserve this season totaling 12 tackles. The Falcons added extra depth on the line, however, by bringing up defensive end Brandon Miller from the practice squad earlier in the week.
Visit the Saint Joseph's Injury Report for more Falcons and Broncos injury news.
THE SKINNY: All the Broncos opening day starters at linebacker are out with injuries. Starting safety Marlon McCree has also been ruled out for the game. All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey has missed time with a hamstring injury but is questionable for Sunday.
No matter how you slice it, Denver's 29th-ranked defense is banged up.
The Broncos allow more than 389 yards per game (146.3 on the ground).
The Falcons love to run the football and rank second in the league in the category. This stat difference could be key on Sunday as Atlanta looks to control the clock and keep a potent Broncos offense off the field.
But the Birds aren't expecting an easy go in the running game.
"It presents a big challenge," starting center Todd McClure said. "We have to be ready to come off the ball and not let their quickness and their movement slow us down because they are going to move some. We just have to be ready to play our game, know our assignment and not let it slow us up... It looks like there's going to be some opportunities but we can't take it for granted and say teams have done it in the past and expect it to happen. We have to go make it happen."
Michael Turner subscribes to the "any given Sunday" mantra -- that any team can have an all-world defensive performance at any time. He played against the Broncos when he was a member of the AFC West so he expects their best.
"Denver has been the best team in the AFC West so far," he said. "They're still fighting for something so it's going to be a good game."
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Broncos...
- The Falcons will wear red jerseys Sunday against the Raiders.
- Atlanta hasn't defeated the Broncos in Atlanta since 1975 and trail in the overall series, 7-4.
- The Birds are undefeated against the AFC West this season.
- The Falcons have scored on the game's first drive four times this season. Each time they went on to win the game.
- Atlanta leads the league in first-quarter scoring (75 points).
- The Falcons are second in the NFL with 42 rushing plays of 10 yards or more this season.
- A 4-0 start at the Georgia Dome is the best since 1998, when the team went undefeated at home.
- The defense has forced 19 turnovers this season leading to 44 points.
- Matt Ryan hasn't posted a QB rating of less than 116.1 in four home games this season. He's thrown zero interceptions.
- Linebacker Keith Brooking is set to make his 121st straight start against the Broncos.
MORE FALCONS-BRONCOS COVERAGE:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Defense in for another test against Broncos
- FALCONCAST: J. Mike and Matt preview the game | Fantasy Football
- NFL FILMS: Game preview from the NFL Films team
- PLAYBOOK: Special feature on Falcons-Broncos from NFL Network | Ryan Discussion
- ASK THE COACH: Curtis Lofton chats with linebackers coach Glenn Pires
- NOTEBOOK: Birds look for opportunity to run football
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons-Broncos game
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VIDEO: Smith | Ryan | Turner | Milloy | Elam
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Shaking Out the Weirdness | Birdseed
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news and more in the Saint Joseph's Injury Report
- RELEASE: Falcons waive wide receiver Jennings
- NEWS: Falcons up for weekly awards on NFL.com
- COMMUNITY: Weiner named Falcons Man of the Year | Blog
