Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2020 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-11-08, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 34–27 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Lock (Denver Broncos) paced the passing game, with +6.58 total EPA, and -7.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.87 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.7% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (1:33) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-M.Reed]. Penalty on DEN-27-D.Harris, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +14.87 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2. 2 O. Zaccheaus · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.09 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.35 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Lock · Denver Broncos · Passing · +6.58 total EPA · 57 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Powell · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.93 EPA/play
5. 5 N. Fant · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Jeudy · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +2.58 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Okwuegbunam · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.85 EPA/play
8. 8 K. Hamler · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.72 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — O. Zaccheaus (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 46:33)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Powell (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 39:23)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 21:27)
• Denver Broncos — J. Jeudy (D. Lock pass) (Q4 13:21)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gurley (Q4 9:10)
• Denver Broncos — T. Patrick (D. Lock pass) (Q4 3:58)
• Denver Broncos — D. Lock (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q1 54:56)
• Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q2 43:32)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 31:48)
• Denver Broncos — B. McManus (Q3 26:06)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DEN 34 (Q1 54:56) — (9:56) 7-Y.Koo 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DEN 51 (Q1 46:33); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 46:24) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ATL 25 (Q2 43:32) — (13:32) 8-B.McManus 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DEN 9 (Q2 39:23) — (9:23) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 15-B.Powell for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q2 39:18) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DEN 17 (Q2 31:48) — (1:48) 7-Y.Koo 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q3 26:06) — (11:06) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DEN 21 (Q3 21:27) — (6:27) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 21:20) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 21–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ATL 20 (Q4 13:21) — (13:21) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short right to 10-J.Jeudy for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 13:15) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q4 9:10) — (9:10) 21-T.Gurley left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q4 9:05) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q4 3:58) — (3:58) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short middle to 81-T.Patrick for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 3:53) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ATL 10 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock scrambles right end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 1:52) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-M.Reed]. Penalty on DEN-27-D.Harris, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +5.59]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 54:11) — (9:11) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short left to 87-N.Fant pushed ob at ATL 45 for 32 yards (37-R.Allen) [54-F.Oluokun]. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +2.78]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 41:01) — (11:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 17-O.Zaccheaus to DEN 13 for 42 yards (27-D.Harris). [WPA +6.8% · EPA +3.15]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 57:01) — (12:01) (No Huddle) 21-T.Gurley left tackle to DEN 37 for 13 yards (22-K.Jackson). [WPA +6.1% · EPA +1.21]
• Denver Broncos (Q1 52:09) — (7:09) 6-S.Martin punts 26 yards to ATL 15, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, fair catch by 15-B.Powell. [WPA -5.5% · EPA -0.75]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Denver Broncos (Q4 9:49) — (9:49) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass deep middle intended for 10-J.Jeudy INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Allen [97-G.Jarrett] at DEN 31. 37-R.Allen to DEN 12 for 19 yards (25-M.Gordon). [WPA -1.5% · EPA -5.70]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 46:33) — (1:33) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-M.Reed]. Penalty on DEN-27-D.Harris, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +5.59]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 7:33) — (7:33) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass incomplete deep right to 13-K.Hamler (37-R.Allen). [WPA -0.1% · EPA -3.36]
• Denver Broncos (Q4 13:21) — (13:21) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short right to 10-J.Jeudy for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.0% · EPA +3.23]

Quarterback report card

D.Lock led all passers in efficiency for Denver Broncos, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Lock (Denver Broncos) · 57 dropbacks · 43.9% completion · -7.5% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +6.58 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 40 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +5.8% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +14.87 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.08 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 14 drives, +7.33 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Denver Broncos: 13 drives, +1.04 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Lock (DEN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 54:56 · DEN 34 · Score 0-3
   (9:56) 7-Y.Koo 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
2. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 46:33 · DEN 51 · Score 0-9
   (1:33) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 17-O.Zaccheaus for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN [59-M.Reed]. Penalty on DEN-27-D.Harris, Defensive Pass Interference, declin
3. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 46:24 · DEN 15 · Score 0-10
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
4. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 43:32 · ATL 25 · Score 3-10
   (13:32) 8-B.McManus 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 39:23 · DEN 9 · Score 3-16
   (9:23) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 15-B.Powell for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 39:18 · DEN 15 · Score 3-17
   7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 31:48 · DEN 17 · Score 3-20
   (1:48) 7-Y.Koo 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
8. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q3 26:06 · ATL 23 · Score 6-20
   (11:06) 8-B.McManus 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
9. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 21:27 · DEN 21 · Score 6-26
   (6:27) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 21:20 · DEN 15 · Score 6-27
    7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
11. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 13:21 · ATL 20 · Score 12-27
    (13:21) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short right to 10-J.Jeudy for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 13:15 · ATL 15 · Score 13-27
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
13. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 9:10 · DEN 4 · Score 13-33
    (9:10) 21-T.Gurley left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 9:05 · DEN 15 · Score 13-34
    7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
15. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 3:58 · ATL 9 · Score 19-34
    (3:58) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock pass short middle to 81-T.Patrick for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 3:53 · ATL 15 · Score 20-34
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.
17. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · ATL 10 · Score 26-34
    (2:00) (Shotgun) 3-D.Lock scrambles right end for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 1:52 · ATL 15 · Score 27-34
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Bobenmoyer, Holder-6-S.Martin.