FantasyHQ · Game Recap

NFL · Week 5 · October 9, 2016 · 12 min read

Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos: 2016 Week 5 Recap

Falcons defeat Broncos 23–16 in Week 5

Tavian Coleman led Fantasy Impact as Falcons prevailed in a 23–16 Week 5 finish.

Atlanta Falcons 23 4–1 Winner
Final 23–16
Denver Broncos 16 4–1
Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
23–16
Halftime
Atlanta Falcons 13–3 Denver Broncos
Top passer
P. Lynch
FantasyHQ MVP
Tavian Coleman
Game date
October 9, 2016

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • Tavian Coleman 4 REC · 132 YDS · 1 TD +9.5 Fantasy Impact
  • Matt Ryan
    Matt Ryan 15/34 · 252 YDS · 1 TD +1.6 Fantasy Impact
  • P.DiMarco 1 REC · 13 YDS +0.9 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Broncos

  • Eli Sanders 7 REC · 80 YDS +5.4 Fantasy Impact
  • P.Lynch 1 CAR · 3 YDS +2.1 Fantasy Impact
  • Drake Thomas
    Drake Thomas 5 REC · 49 YDS · 1 TD +1.9 Fantasy Impact

Quick answer

Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
Atlanta Falcons 23–16 Denver Broncos
Halftime
Atlanta Falcons 13–3 Denver Broncos at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Tavian Coleman
Top passer
P. Lynch
Biggest EPA play
(8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date
2016-10-09

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos 23–16 on 2016-10-09. Tavian Coleman posted a game-high +9.46 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 16 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4T
Atlanta Falcons10373023
Denver Broncos03013016

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

ATLAtlanta Falcons
DENDenver Broncos

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 11:22TD
    DFD. Freeman

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 1
    Score
    6-0

    (11:22) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 11:18XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    7-0

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  3. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 4:28FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 28
    Score
    10-0

    (4:28) 3-M.Bryant 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  4. DENDenver Broncos
    Q2 11:43FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 17
    Score
    10-3

    (11:43) 8-B.McManus 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  5. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 1:52FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    13-3

    (1:52) 3-M.Bryant 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  6. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q3 8:00TD
    TCTavian Coleman

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DEN 31
    Score
    19-3

    (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q3 7:53XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DEN 15
    Score
    20-3

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  8. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 11:06FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 28
    Score
    20-6

    (11:06) 8-B.McManus 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  9. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 8:24FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DEN 7
    Score
    23-6

    (8:24) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  10. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 2:43TD
    Drake Thomas

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 3
    Score
    23-12

    (2:43) 12-P.Lynch pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 2:38XP
    Brandon McManus

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 15
    Score
    23-13

    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

  12. DENDenver Broncos
    Q4 0:19FG
    Brandon McManus

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 27
    Score
    23-16

    (:19) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Tavian Coleman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +9.46 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.58 EPA/play
  2. 2Eli Sanders · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.39 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
  3. 3P. Lynch · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +2.15 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.15 EPA/play
  4. 4Drake ThomasDrake Thomas · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
  5. 5D. Booker · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.69 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
  6. 6Matt RyanMatt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +1.64 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
  7. 7A. Janovich · Denver Broncos · Rushing · +1.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.60 EPA/play
  8. 8P. DiMarco · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.92 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Tavian Coleman — ATL · Receiving

Tavian Coleman posted the highest total EPA (+9.46) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Atlanta Falcons. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.58 EPA per play.

Tavian Coleman's top snap (+4.10 EPA): (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

  • P. Lynch (Denver Broncos) · 50 dropbacks · 46.0% completion · +1.3% CPOE · -0.14 EPA/play · -6.83 total EPA
  • Matt RyanMatt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 34 dropbacks · 44.1% completion · -6.8% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +1.64 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatAtlanta FalconsDenver Broncos
Offensive EPA/play+0.085-0.052
Offensive success rate45.7%39.3%
Pass EPA/play+0.048-0.137
Rush EPA/play-0.022+0.161
Defensive EPA/play+0.052-0.085
Defensive success rate60.7%54.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Atlanta Falcons: +0.09 EPA/play (74th percentile vs. 2016 team-game averages)
  • Denver Broncos: -0.05 EPA/play (38th percentile vs. 2016 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +6.90 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Denver Broncos: 11 drives, -4.64 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q1 11:22)
  • Atlanta Falcons — Tavian Coleman (Matt Ryan pass) (Q3 8:00)
  • Drake ThomasDenver Broncos — Drake Thomas (P. Lynch pass) (Q4 2:43)

Field goals

  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q1 4:28)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q2 11:43)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q2 1:52)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q4 11:06)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q4 8:24)
  • Brandon McManusDenver Broncos — Brandon McManus (Q4 0:19)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DEN 1 (Q1 11:22) — (11:22) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q1 11:18) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DEN 28 (Q1 4:28) — (4:28) 3-M.Bryant 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ATL 17 (Q2 11:43) — (11:43) 8-B.McManus 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DEN 15 (Q2 1:52) — (1:52) 3-M.Bryant 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DEN 31 (Q3 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DEN 15 (Q3 7:53) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 13–3. Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q4 11:06) — (11:06) 8-B.McManus 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DEN 7 (Q4 8:24) — (8:24) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q4 2:43) — (2:43) 12-P.Lynch pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 2:38) — 8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the ATL 27 (Q4 0:19) — (:19) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 13:58) — (13:58) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 26-T.Coleman pushed ob at DEN 15 for 48 yards (26-D.Stewart). [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.35]
  • Denver Broncos (Q3 10:02) — (10:02) 12-P.Lynch pass deep left intended for 88-D.Thomas INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Allen at DEN 42. 37-R.Allen ran ob at DEN 42 for no gain. [WPA -7.1% · EPA -2.57]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 11:22) — (11:22) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +2.68]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 13:16) — (13:16) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 24-D.Freeman to DEN 1 for 14 yards (26-D.Stewart; 54-B.Marshall). [WPA +6.5% · EPA +1.53]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q2 11:17) — (11:17) 5-M.Bosher punts 59 yards to DEN 20, Center-47-J.Harris, fair catch by 11-J.Norwood. [WPA +6.4% · EPA +0.61]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q3 8:00) — (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.1% · EPA +4.10]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 13:58) — (13:58) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 26-T.Coleman pushed ob at DEN 15 for 48 yards (26-D.Stewart). [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.35]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:01) — (11:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 26-T.Coleman pushed ob at DEN 26 for 49 yards (43-T.Ward) [92-S.Williams]. [WPA +0.5% · EPA +3.22]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 11:22) — (11:22) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +2.68]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 11:22 · DEN 1 · Score 6-0
    (11:22) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 11:18 · DEN 15 · Score 7-0
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  3. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 4:28 · DEN 28 · Score 10-0
    (4:28) 3-M.Bryant 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  4. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 11:43 · ATL 17 · Score 10-3
    (11:43) 8-B.McManus 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 1:52 · DEN 15 · Score 13-3
    (1:52) 3-M.Bryant 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 8:00 · DEN 31 · Score 19-3
    (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 7:53 · DEN 15 · Score 20-3
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  8. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 11:06 · ATL 28 · Score 20-6
    (11:06) 8-B.McManus 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 8:24 · DEN 7 · Score 23-6
    (8:24) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  10. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 2:43 · ATL 3 · Score 23-12
    (2:43) 12-P.Lynch pass short right to 88-D.Thomas for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 2:38 · ATL 15 · Score 23-13
    8-B.McManus extra point is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
  12. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q4 0:19 · ATL 27 · Score 23-16
    (:19) 8-B.McManus 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-C.Kreiter, Holder-9-R.Dixon.

Key takeaways

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

  • Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Tavian Coleman (Atlanta Falcons) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matt Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos on 2016-10-09?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Denver Broncos 23-16 in Week 5, 2016.

What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos?

Q1: Atlanta Falcons 10, Denver Broncos 0; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 3, Denver Broncos 3; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 7, Denver Broncos 0; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 3, Denver Broncos 13; Final: Atlanta Falcons 23, Denver Broncos 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Freeman (Q1 11:22) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Coleman (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 8:00) Denver Broncos touchdown — D. Thomas (P. Lynch pass) (Q4 2:43) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 4:28, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q2 11:43, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 1:52, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q4 11:06, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 8:24, 3 pts) Denver Broncos field goal — B. McManus (Q4 0:19, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos?

P. Lynch (Denver Broncos), 46.0% completion, +1.3% CPOE, -0.14 EPA per dropback, -6.83 total passing EPA. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 44.1% completion, -6.8% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +1.64 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos?

Tavian Coleman (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.46 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+4.10 EPA): (8:00) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 26-T.Coleman for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Atlanta Falcons vs Denver Broncos a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Atlanta Falcons won 23-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 3-1 Now 4-1 W

Denver Broncos

Entered 4-0 Now 4-1 L