Down: COVID blues. 2020’s silent gremlin finally bit Vic Fangio the way it bit Bill Belichick last month. Coronavirus protocols forced the Broncos to have to work remotely for much of the week in advance of the Falcons, and it showed. The Broncos looked sloppy and out of sync from the get-go.
Up: Noah Fant as a blocker. The former Iowa Hawkeye is known more for his wheels and athleticism than brawn, but the tight end made a stellar block early in the second quarter to clear the edge on a KJ Hamler reverse, helping the rookie break free for a 15-yard gain.