Sep 25, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker (72) reacts during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-US PRESSWIRE

Within each football game, there are several battles within the game that a team must win to be successful. The Atlanta Falcons have a couple matchups that they must absolutely win if they are to have a shot at winning the game. Here are some of the matchups:

Falcons Offensive Line vs. Broncos pass rush: By far, bar none, this is my #1 most important matchup for the Falcons to win. The offensive line looked really good against the Chiefs in Week 1; a Chiefs team that was missing some key players, and played poorly in week 2 as well. If the o-line can provide a push for runs between the tackles, something they will be able to do with success against Denver, they will have an easier time protecting Matt Ryan when he drops back to pass. In particular, Tyson Clabo needs to play well, and Sam Baker needs to continue his outstanding effort from last week. If they can keep Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller off of Ryan for the most part and afford him time to deliver uncontested passes from the pocket, Ryan can pick apart just about any defense.

Falcons Receivers vs. CBs Champ Bailey & Tracy Porter: Aside from what Denver does up front, the Broncos have two very good corners in the secondary. Champ Bailey is 34, but he has 50 career interceptions, and his career resume as a top corner stand for itself. He is extremely smart. Porter isn’t nearly as good as Bailey, and he can be beaten at times, but he is opportunistic and can come up with the big play if Ryan were to make a poor throw. The good thing is both Roddy White and Julio Jones have the size, strength, athleticism, and chemistry with Ryan to make things happen, but they will have to use all of their tools to be consistently productive against these corners. Healthy doses of Harry Douglas and Tony Gonzalez might be what it takes to open up passes to the two outside receivers. If so, the Falcons are certainly capable of winning matchups down the field.

Atlanta CB Chris Owens vs. Whichever Bronco receiver he covers: Asante Samuel and Dunta Robinson will cover the receivers lined up on the outside. I don’t know that they will perform like ‘shutdown’ corners, but they will be solid at their spots. The real wildcard is Chris Owens, who the Falcons will line up against the Broncos slot receiver. The last time we saw Owens line up against the slot, he got roasted by Green Bay. Owens is extremely fast, and very athletic, but struggles at times in coverage. It doesn’t help that he will be facing Peyton Manning, one of the most talented and smart quarterbacks of all time. The Broncos will pick on Owens a good bit, and Owens will surrender some catches. The key will be if Owens can surprise Manning by breaking up a couple third-down passes, or even picking off a pass. If either of those things happens, he will have had a productive game. If not, the Falcons will get torched.

Falcons defensive front vs. Broncos o-line: Perhaps the matchup that is most important for the Falcons to win defensively, is also the one that I think is least likely for Atlanta to win. The Broncos not only have a good line that is capable of protecting their quarterback, but they also have Peyton Manning who is smart and very good at moving in the pocket. The Falcons weren’t able to generate much pressure on Matt Cassel of the Chiefs last week until the second half, when they got a strip-sack and two interceptions. Manning will probably not be bullied into that many turnovers, but if John Abraham, Ray Edwards, and Sean Weatherspoon can hit Manning and hit  him, hurry him, throw their hands up and deflect his passes,  things may loosen up a little. I’m not counting on this, but it is certainly a matchup to keep an eye on.

June 12, 2012; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during Minicamp at the Denver Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

In week 2 of the 2012 season, the Atlanta Falcons will play host to the Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos. I am not going to focus quite as much on the fact that Manning will the the Broncos QB, but it is a fact that cannot be ignored.

Yet again, it will be up to the Falcons running attack to set the tone for this game. The Broncos don’t have many good pieces to play the run, and the Falcons must exploit it. We will be at home, which will allow us free reign to use a lot of no-huddle offense without many repercussions. Pounding the ball down their throats will be the order of the day, as they have a terrific pass-rushing tandem in Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller. Two of the easiest ways to slow down a pass rush are through using the run-game, and throwing screen passes. Keeping the pass rush honest to play the run will keep pressure off Ryan and the passing attack, and the new commitment to the screen game is essential for keeping the defensive ends/outside linebackers honest. Keeping them honest will allow the Falcons to score readily, especially since they are at home. Champ Bailey is the only part of the defense that still worries me, but he is getting up there in years and can be beaten. He can still play passes extremely well, and is a dangerous defensive back.

Offensively, the Broncos have some strengths, and number one with a bullet is Peyton Manning. He is one of the top quarterbacks of all time, and there is no doubt that he will be in total command of the offense even by week 2. What makes this team suspect is Mannings’ supporting cast. Their offensive line was a strength, but it looked rough last season when they had a quarterback who didn’t stay in the pocket much. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. They are strong, but they can certainly be had. Getting pressure on Manning has to happen in key situations. He will not allow the rush to get to him every play. The Falcons must pick and choose the right situations for when to blitz.

One thing that Manning does do is at times throw interceptions in bundles. He is a great player who wins a lot of games and routinely posts lots of touchdowns with few interceptions, but he will have some stinkers for games. I think this could be one of those games for Manning. The Falcons bolstered their secondary with the trade for Asante Samuel, and the Falcons defense will likely be able to get a couple turnovers off Manning.

I think this game could end up being a barn-burner through the first half, but turnovers will allow the Falcons to pull away in the second half. I predict the halftime score will be tied at 21, and the final will be 34-24 Falcons. Manning will put up points, but the Falcons rarely lose in the Georgia Dome, and then certainly won’t allow Denver to win this early in the season.

How many games could Joe Hawley start in 2010?
(All images courtesy of YardBarker except Hawley courtesy of rebelnation.lvrj.com)

Part One: Shann Schillinger
Part Two: Kerry Meier
Part Three: Dominique Franks

Part four of our seven-part series detailing the best case scenarios for the Atlanta Falcons’ 2010 draft picks continues with their fourth round draft pick: Offensive Lineman Joe Hawley.

Using data from the last 10 NFL drafts (2000-2009), I focused on offensive lineman drafted in the fourth round to give us an idea of what Hawley’s ideal rookie season might look like. What have players, who play his position and were drafted in the same round, done in the last 10 years?

Hit the jump for the comparison.

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