Funkerstation » eason: 20-13, lost in first round of the NCAA

DENVER -- Instead of 300 yards receiving from Julio Jones, the Atlanta Falcons got 3 1/2 sacks from Vic Beasley Jr.Maybe this defense really can play.Already an offensive juggernaut, the Falcons turned up the defensive pressure and made life miserable for rookie Paxton Lynch in a 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.Beasley led the punishment of Lynch, who was making his first start as he filled in for a banged-up Trevor Siemian . Lynch was sacked six times and looked every bit like the rookie he is for the Broncos (4-1).It may be the start of something good for a maligned Falcons defense.This is like a machine and you have to have all the parts of the engine working together, defensive end Dwight Freeney said. When you have that, you can have the success like were having.The road wont get any easier for the Falcons (4-1) as they stay out west to go against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks next weekend.For Denver, its quickly back to the drawing board in a short week. The team travels to San Diego on Thursday. Siemian and his sprained left shoulder could be back in time for that game.We didnt want to expose (Siemian) today, explained Broncos coach Gary Kubiak, who was taken to the hospital following the game as a precaution with flu-like symptoms. They came into our place, played with a lot of poise and made a lot of big plays.But none of them came from Jones. He had 300 yards receiving in a win over Carolina last weekend, but was held to two catches for 29 yards.They took me away and they were like, `All right, youre not going to beat us today, Jones said. Everybody else is going to step up. Weve got a lot of weapons.Like tailback Tevin Coleman, who had four catches for 132 yards and a TD. Or Devonta Freeman, whose 1-yard TD on fourth down during the opening drive set the tone for the rest of the game. Matt Ryan later converted a fourth-and-1 with a QB sneak that set up a field goal before halftime.Thats our mindset, to attack offensively, Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. We just wanted to keep attacking.A few takeaways from the game:BRONCOS QBs: Lynch struggled in his first NFL start, and the Broncos only have three days to get Siemian healthy.Siemian sat out with a sore left shoulder, though Kubiak said he had been very close to being able to play against Atlanta. Instead, Lynch went 23 for 35 for 223 yards and took six sacks. It was a near opposite of his relief appearance last week against the Bucs , when he threw for 170 yards and a score to help the Broncos pull away from Tampa Bay.If my number gets called again, Im going to make sure Im ready to go out there and play, Lynch said. But if my number isnt called, Ill make sure Im ready to play if I have to go in the game.BY AIR OR LAND: Jones took a backseat to Atlantas tandem of tailbacks. Freeman rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and caught three passes for 35 yards. Coleman caught four passes for 132 yards and a touchdown and added 31 yards on six carries.I thought the running backs really stole the show today, being a factor both in the run game and the pass game, Quinn said.FAST START, THEN WHAT?: The good start is nothing new for the Falcons. But now what?Atlanta won its first five games last season, but only won three games the rest of the way. This year, the Falcons are 4-1 through five games and Quinn is convinced the season wont play out like 2015.We are mentally tougher than what we were, Quinn said.RESHUFFLED LINE: With right tackle Ty Sambrailo struggling to keep Beasley contained, the Broncos juggled around their line. They shifted Michael Schofield from guard to tackle and inserted Darrion Weems at guard. Sambrailo watched from the bench.NEAR PICKS: Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. both had interceptions in their hands, but couldnt hang on.Those are plays we expect to make all the time, Harris said. We just didnt make them today.---AP National Writer Eddie Pells and AP Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Wholesale Ultra Boost Online . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Wholesale Adidas Ultra Boost . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. http://www.clearanceultraboost.com/ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Cheap Adidas Running Shoes . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Adidas Shoes China . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Texas Preview CapsuleBy The Associated Press=TexasLast season: 20-13, lost in first round of the NCAA Tournament.Nickname: Longhorns.Coach: Shaka Smart.Conference: Big 12.Whos gone: G Isaiah Taylor, F Prince Ibeh.Whos back: Sophomore guards Eric Davis and Kerwin Roach werent regular starters last season but are now the veteran leaders on a team of talented freshmen. Roach will be looked at early at point guard and Davis is the best returning 3-pointer shooter after making 42 last season.Whos new: Forwards Jarrett Allen and James Banks will be expected to make an immediate impact. Teexas needs some interior scoring and defensive stops after the graduation of shot blocker Ibeh, last seasons Big 12 defensive player of the year.ddddddddddddThe Skinny: Getting to the NCAA Tournament hasnt been a problem for Texas. Staying long is another story. The Longhorns havent made it out of the first weekend since 2008. Smart, who is in just his second season at Texas, has been just as frustrated of late, with three consecutive first round losses. ' ' '