The Broncos' defense isn't going to be confused with the Ravens' or the Steelers', but it is making progress.

The Broncos were pleased with the job they did against Atlanta, holding the powerful Falcons rushing game to 3.3 yards per attempt and allowing only 20 points in a 24-20 win Sunday.

Denver has worked at improving the run defense after a horrible start, and it paid off Sunday.

"To play the rushing defense we played against an excellent running offensive football team, I was very pleased," coach Mike Shanahan said.

The Broncos brought an eighth man in the box on most plays to contain Michael Turner. The powerful running back had a pair of touchdowns but managed just 81 yards on 25 carries, ending up with a rather quiet day.

No more bone-jarring tackles for John Lynch. The hard-hitting, nine-time Pro Bowl safety retired Monday, saying it was time to begin a new phase of life after 11 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and four more with the Denver Broncos. He felt so strongly about the relationships he built with both clubs that he decided against stepping down in the colors of either team.

The Denver Broncos have come up with all sorts of ways to deal with their injuries, from starting a player on both sides of the line to relying on a guy with plenty of baggage. It's working out just fine. Jay Cutler threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Graham with 5 1/2 minutes remaining, the Denver defense held off Matt Ryan's last-gasp drive and the gritty Broncos rallied for a 24-20 victory...