--The Broncos needed help at tailback, and decided to give Tatum Bell another chance. Bell, a 2004 second-round pick of the Broncos, was out of football since being cut by the Lions and being accused of taking running back Rudi Johnson's bags.
Bell said he worried that accusation -- which he claims was a misunderstanding -- might have kept him out of the NFL.
"I wasn't getting any interest, any calls -- I think it was because of that," Bell said. "I'm going to leave Detroit in Detroit and move on."
--There are 45 tackles in the NFL that have started all nine games for their respective teams this season. Four have not given up a full sack this season, and two are first-year starters with the Broncos.
Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris have each given up only a half of a sack, according to STATS, Inc. Indianapolis' Charlie Johnson and Tennessee's Michael Roos are the only tackles to have given up no sacks.
Harris and Clady have a challenge this week. Each will spend some time against Atlanta's John Abraham, who lines up at different places along the line and is tied for second in the NFL with 11 sacks.
--Broncos coach Mike Shanahan likes playing on Thursday night, because he views it as a second bye week for his team. Denver got three extra days of rest and recovery after winning last Thursday at Cleveland.
"It was very helpful for us because we were banged up a little bit," Shanahan said. "To get that extra day of practice and get a few more days of recovery time really helps."
BY THE NUMBERS: 2-0 -- The Broncos are 2-0 against the NFC this season, and have won three straight games against the NFC dating back to last year.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm blessed. I'm grateful." -- Broncos RB Tatum Bell, on getting signed by the Broncos after being out of football for two months.
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