Atlanta, GA
Two Crucial Matchups Broncos Have to Win vs. Falcons
The Denver Broncos must beat the Atlanta Falcons to keep their playoff dreams alive. A loss wouldn’t eliminate the Broncos, but it would make their uphill battle for the playoffs even more challenging.
There are two key matchups Denver needs to win to come out on top over the Falcons at home. Let’s examine.
The first matchup the Broncos have to win should help translate to slowing down the Falcons offense. The Broncos have to sack Kirk Cousins, and if they can get at least four sacks, it would be surprising if they also didn’t get the win.
Putting them behind schedule can lead to issues from the Falcons as they try to make up ground through the air. The Falcons have a negative EPA/Pass in long situations, seven or more yards. It opens the door to mistakes that the Broncos defense can capitalize on.
What makes this difficult is Cousins’ ability to get the ball out, as he averages 2.75 seconds to throw. The good news is that the Broncos are averaging 2.63 seconds to pressure.
However, pressuring Cousins isn’t enough. The Broncos need to get home and bring him down.
The Falcons allow the fourth-fastest average time to pressure, and the eighth-highest quarterback pressure rate, but their 5.6 sack percentage is the seventh lowest in the NFL. The Falcons allow a lot of pressure, but Cousins does well to avoid sacks and get the ball out.
So, the Broncos front needs the secondary to force Cousins to hold onto the ball either by playing tight coverage or making plays of the ball.
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On the other side of the ball, Bo Nix has to deal with a similar issue with the Falcons defense. He doesn’t have to deal with the pressure up front, but the pressure in the secondary, especially from their two safeties.
Nix will have to be clean when he is trying to attack because Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons have three interceptions between them this season, and any errant pass will be ripe for the picking by these safeties.
Both safeties allow a negative EPA/Coverage, which is better for defensive players as they keep points off the board. Nix and the Broncos’ passing game have had issues attacking vertically, and some of those issues have been from some questionably placed/timed throws from Nix, and these two safeties can punish him for that.
Nix needs to improve his footwork, mainly if pressure builds up. This has been his biggest problem.
Much of what he has done in previous games won’t fly against the Falcons. This is especially true with Simmons, a former Broncos Pro Bowler, whom they released this past offseason.
While Simmons still has a soft spot for the Broncos and the city of Denver, he will want to win. He’s a competitor, and there will likely be some desire to prove the Broncos made a mistake by letting him go.
Everything Simmons knows about this offense will have already been shared with his coaches and teammates, but the question arises of how much things have changed since last year. Even so, that familiarity gives Simmons, Bates, and the Falcons an edge.
So, if the Broncos can sack Cousins while Nix accounts for Bates and Simmons, then the Broncos have a great chance to get to 6-5. If the Broncos struggle to do both, or even either, the game becomes much more challenging for them to walk out with a win.
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Atlanta, GA
Atlanta man convicted of abusing minors while stationed abroad
ATLANTA – An Atlanta man faces a potential life sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of terrorizing two young children during his military service abroad.
What we know:
A federal jury found 39-year-old Adam Schlueter guilty on Friday following a four-day trial. He was convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
Schlueter was stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany, from 2009 until 2013 while enlisted in the Army. During this time, prosecutors say he physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two victims who were under the age of 10.
Both victims testified during the trial that Schlueter beat and choked them. One victim recalled an incident at age 8 where Schlueter pushed him through a second-story window and dangled him above the ground. Evidence also showed Schlueter threatened victims and witnesses who spoke about his crimes.
What they’re saying:
“When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said. “Excellent work by the prosecutors and investigators assigned to this case will ensure that Schlueter is suitably punished for his wickedness.”
What’s next:
Schlueter is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9. He faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years of imprisonment for each of the aggravated sexual abuse convictions and may be sentenced to life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leanne Marek and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower are prosecuting the case, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from federal prosecutors with the Northern District of Georgia following the conclusion of a four-day federal trial.
Atlanta, GA
Philadelphia Phillies lose fifth straight game to end homestand, swept by Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II homered and had three hits as the streaking Atlanta Braves defeated the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 on Sunday night to complete a three-game sweep of their NL East rivals.
Ozzie Albies hit an RBI double and Austin Riley also drove in a run for the Braves, who have won five in a row and nine of 11. It was Atlanta’s first series sweep of at least three games at Philadelphia in 10 years.
Kyle Schwarber went deep for the Phillies, who have lost five straight and 10 of 13. They were outscored 56-33 on a 2-7 homestand against the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Braves, leaving Philadelphia 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division standings.
Raisel Iglesias escaped trouble in the ninth inning for his fifth save. Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out, but Trea Turner struck out and Schwarber lined out to right field on an excellent running catch by Ronald Acuña Jr.
Tyler Kinley (3-0) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win.
Schwarber’s two-run shot in the first gave Philadelphia a 2-0 lead.
Harris homered leading off the third before the Braves went ahead in the fifth with three runs against rookie starter Andrew Painter (1-1) and lefty reliever Tim Mayza.
Painter was lifted after he opened the inning by allowing singles to Harris and Acuña. Mayza loaded the bases with a walk, and the Braves tied the game on Matt Olson’s groundout. Riley’s dribbler to third went for an RBI infield single, and Albies’ double to the left-field wall made it 4-2.
Riley saved at least one run while ending a Philadelphia threat in the bottom of the fifth with a stellar defensive play at third base.
Braves starter Grant Holmes allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings.
On a chilly night, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto sat out after leaving Saturday’s game with lower back tightness.
Up next
Braves: Begin a four-game series Monday night at Washington. RHP Bryce Elder (2-1, 0.77 ERA) opposes Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (1-2, 6.16).
Phillies: Open seven-game trip Monday night with the first of four games against the Cubs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-4, 4.03 ERA) faces Chicago RHP Colin Rea (2-0, 3.63).
Atlanta, GA
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