DENVER -- There is surely more to it than this, but right tackle Donald Stephenson and tight end Virgil Green have missed the past three games for the Denver Broncos, and during those three games, the Broncos have not run the ball well.
In the first two games, it was an annoyance on the way to a victory. But Sunday, it became an issue the Broncos couldn't overcome, and they suffered their first loss of the season, 23-16 to the Atlanta Falcons. File away for a minute that the Falcons came into the game ranked 30th in total defense and 29th in scoring defense -- the Broncos simply needed more Sunday from the one thing in their offense they are supposed to be able to rely on.