Denver Broncos linebacker Baron Browning (56) celebrates a sack in the second quarter of a 17-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, August 13 at Empower Field At Mile High. (Photo: C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
Yes, it's only preseason.
But it's still nice to win.
That's exactly what the Denver Broncos did on Saturday night, defeating the Dallas Cowboys, 17-7, in the preseason opener for both teams.
Most of the Broncos starters did not play. Quarterback Josh Johnson got the call to start the game and after a slow start, finished by completing 16-of-23 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
Brett Rypien played the second half and went 8-of-18 for 113 yards.
Johnson got the Broncos on the scoreboard with a one yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams with 12:52 in the first half. Johnson struck again with a 24-yard touchdown toss to Kendall Hinton with 5:30 to go before halftime.
Broncos placekicker Brandon McManus hit a 52 yard field goal as time expired in the first half to put the Broncos up 17-0.
As it turned out, that would be all the points the Broncos would need.
The Cowboys only score came on a touchdown pass from Ben DiNucci to Simi Fehoko with 4:59 remaining in the game.
The Broncos will play at the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, August 20. Coverage starts at 8 a.m. MDT on KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM.
CHECK OUT BRONCOS-COWBOYS HIGHLIGHTS HERE
Check out the KOA Broncos-Cowboys postgame interviews featuring (in order) head coach Nathaniel Hackett, QB Josh Johnson, WR Kendall Hinton, WR Jalen Virgil, LB Baron Browning, WR Brandon Johnson, S P.J. Locke, and WR Seth Williams.