November, 16 2008 1:00pm EST
ATS: Denver Broncos +6.5 (-110)
WIN for +2.73 unit(s)

Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons

I'm taking the points with DENVER. Give the Falcons plenty of credit. They've exceeded expectations and are having a strong season. That being said, I don't feel that they're ready to be laying this kind of number against Mike Shanahan's Broncos.

Yes, the Broncos are banged up on defense and at the running back position. That didn't stop them from upsetting the Browns last time out though. The Broncos scored 34 points in that game and are now averaging greater than 25 points in their four road games, averaging a whopping 431.5 yards in those games. Cutler was 24-of-42 for a career-high 447 yards with three touchdowns against the Browns. This week, he'll be facing an Atlanta defense which gave up more than 500 total yards last week.

The injuries at running back don't particularly bother me. The Broncos re-signed free agent Tatum Bell and he's successfully carried the load here before. Tatum had some "issues" in Detroit but that should give him something to prove here. Shanahan had this to say of Bell: "I judge Tatum by what he's done here. Tatum did a great job for me..."

Of course, the defensive injuries are a bigger concern. Still, this is a well-coached team, which has had a couple of extra days of preparation time, and which will be riding a positive wave after their big comeback win. As linebacker Louis Green said: "We are sticking together as a team. There is no 'offense' or 'defense' - we are a team. We are going to take the momentum and ride it the rest of the season."

I believe this will prove to be a tough scheduling spot for the Falcons. After traveling to the West Coast to take on the Raiders, they returned home for a huge win vs. the Saints last week. Off that big divisional win, they've also got another huge divisional game (Carolina) on deck. Look for them to have their hands full as the Broncos score enough points to earn (at least) the cover. *Non-Conf. GOW

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