Peyton Manning threw for 357 yards with 3 touchdown passes and Willis McGahee added 146 yards on the ground as the Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons 33-23 on Monday Night Football.
The Broncos (2-0) have lost nine of their past 10 road Monday night games, but now hold a 9-4 lifetime record against the Falcons. Broncos' linebacker Von Miller had three sacks and a fumble recovery.
Falcons' defensive backs Dunta Robinson and Asante Samuel, held up fine, but gave up big receptions to the Broncos late in the game. Demaryius Thomas caught nine passes for 131 yards, but two of those receptions went for touchdowns of 43 and 27 yards. Jacob Tammy added 8 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Matt Ryan threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns both passes going to tight end Tony Gonzales, who ended the day with 54 receiving yards. Julio Jones was held to just two catches for 18 yards by the Broncos' defense.
Down 28-20, the Falcons started at their 29 with 14:43 left in the game. Ryan threw passes of 28 and 15 yards to Roddy White. A 10-yard rush Michael Turner put the ball at the 25-yard line of the Broncos. But the drive stalled and ended in a Matt Bryant field goal to put the falcons within five points and making it a one-position game.
On the following Broncos' possession, the Falcons defense shutdown Peyton Manning and Denver's offense. After two short gains on the ground, the broncos were looking at a third-down and seven with eight minutes remaining in the game. Manning threw a quick strike to Brandon Stokely, who came up short of the first-down forcing a Denver punt.
On the very next play, Elvis Dumervil sacked Ryan while ripping the ball loose, and Von Miller swooped in for the recovery at the Falcons' 34-yardline. Four plays later, Matt Prater kicked the ball through the uprights in the back of the end zone to give the Broncos a 34-23 lead, effectively putting the game away. Do you think Madden NFL '13 got the game right? Comment below...
Here is a list of Madden NFL 13's simulations for primetime games so far this season...
Week 1
Cowboys Vs. Giants
Week 2
Packers Vs. Bears
49ers Vs. Lions
Broncos Vs. Falcons
Week 3
Giants Vs. Panthers