The Denver Broncos showed out in Week One of the preseason in a 27-7 thrashing of the Atlanta Falcons. Davis Webb’s first game playcalling, Jahdae Barron’s 97-yard pick-six, and Courtland Sutton’s pair of contested catches marked this game.
Other key plays were made by Karene Reid, Jarett Stidham, and Jonah Coleman. Barron’s pick-six was batted into his arms by Karene Reid.
Stidham finished going 9 of 15 for 131 yards and a touchdown. Three of those passes went to Sutton for 60 yards. Coleman rushed 4 times, finishing with an average of 6 yards per carry.
Stidham led Denver to a 24-0 halftime lead before giving way to Sam Ehlinger, and he finished out the game. Ehlinger went 10 of 14 for 67 yards.
A 3rd Quarter Jaleel McLaughlin fumble allowed Falcons running back Jack Strand to rush for a 1-yard touchdown.
Denver got their first look at Tyler Onyedim, Jonah Coleman, Red Murdock, and the rest of the 2026 rookie class. Onyedim performed poorly in his first time out, logging a goose egg in the stat sheet.
“Too many penalties… But overall good first game,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton, additionally calling the offensive operation “smooth.’
Bo Nix didn’t play in the preseason opener due to a cautious approach. Also seemingly due to Center injuries. With three of the four rostered Centers being injured at the time of the game. Including the starting, second-string, and third-string centers being injured.
Nix is on the horizon of his first start this season. He is coming off a season where he produced 3,931 yards passing, 356 rushing, and 30 total touchdowns. Fans are excited to see him in his first action since his ankle injury.
Luke Wattenburg returned to practice on the side field following the Preseason Opener. Drew Sanders and Alex Forsyth did not practice to finish out the week.
The Packers starters are expected to clash with Denver in week 2 of the Preseason. With a possible debut for Jalen Waddle, who returned to practice as well.
Denver signed veteran safety Taylor Rapp ahead of the game, and after linebacker Levelle Bailey was placed on season-ending IR. Rapp has 72 career starts, 488 tackles, and 12 interceptions. Rapp was a starter for the Buffalo Bills before suffering a season-ending injury last season.
A couple of key players to look out for are Kage Casey, a Broncos rookie O-lineman. Eyioma Uwazurike, a Broncos 4th-year training camp standout. And Broncos rookie Tyler Onyedim, who’s looking for a bounce-back game.
