Broncos Dominate Falcons 27-7 in Preseason Opener

The Broncos won the preseason opener 27-7 over the Atlanta Falcons. Below is the recap and postgame interviews.

Atlanta won the coin toss and deferred. Broncos offense would start with the ball.

Jarrett Stidham and the offense started their first drive of the night at their own 31 yard line. Pat Bryant gained 15 on the first play and the Broncos were quickly to mid field. After a short run by RJ Harvey, Sutton caught a 5 yard pass to get the Broncos into Falcons territory. Stidham fired up a deep pass to Courtland Sutton and he boxed out for a MONSTER 40 yard reception down to 1 yard line! Adam Prentice punched it in and the Broncos took a 7-0 lead with 11:39 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Tua Tagovailoa got the start for Atlanta but the Falcons offense was only able to gain 6 yards before punting back to Denver who would start from their own 16 yard line after a short return from Sean Fresch Jr.

Broncos offense went back to work and after 3 straight runs by RJ Harvey, the Broncos would get their first 1st down of the drive to the 27 yard line. Courtland Sutton had an incredible 1-handed catch to get another 1st down to the 43 yard line! On 3rd and 6, Stidham's pass attempt to Engram was a little bit behind him and fell incomplete. The Broncos punted for the first time and Atlanta would start their 2nd drive of the night at their own 15 yard line with 5:12 remaining in the 1st quarter.

The Falcons got their initial 1st down of the drive on a completion to Kyle Pitts for 11 yards. Facing a 3rd and 11 a couple plays later, Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper arrived at the QB in such a hurry and Tua had to throw the ball away on a screen attempt. Atlanta punted it away and Denver started their 3rd drive from their 11 with 3:20 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Stidham hit Engram for a 24 yard reception to spark the drive. A holding call put the Broncos behind the sticks but an illegal contact penalty gave the Broncos a first down. Jonah Coleman had a great 12 yard run into Atlanta territory and then at the close of the 1st quarter, Stidham found Franklin for 23 yards as the Broncos marched down to the Falcons 27 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 11, Lil'Jordan Humphrey had a short gain to set up 43 yard attempt. Lutz converted and the Broncos extended their lead 10-with 13:35 remaining in the 1st half.

Cooper Rush now in at QB as Atlanta started from their own 39 yard line. After a nice PBU by Barron, the next pass was deflected and intercepted by Riley Moss! Broncos took over at the Atlanta 48 yard line. Jaleel McLaughlin had a nice 12 yard run and then Cameron Ross with a 28 yard jet sweep that would set up a short 5 yard touchdown pass to McLaughlin. Broncos extend their lead 17-0 with 10:47 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Atlanta quickly went 3 and out and punted it back to the Broncos, who would start their next drive from their own 18 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 19 due to a hold, the Broncos short gain forced a punt. The Falcons went back to work from their own 34 yard line with 7:19 remaining in the 1st half.

The Falcons finally worked into Denver territory after converting a 3rd and 10 for 14 yards and then a 16 yard completion to Branch down to the 35 yard line as ticked under 5 minutes. Red Murdoch showed incredible recognition, fighting through a block to blow up a screen pass. Facing a 3rd and 5 from the Denver 18 yard line, Branch gained 7 yards on a quick pass to the right. On 3rd and 6 from the 7 yard line, Karene Reid tipped the pass that fell into Jahdae Barron's arms and he returned it 93 yards TO THE HOUSE!! Broncos extend their lead 24-0 with 1:28 remaining in the 1st half.

Falcons would start their next drive from their own 20 yard line. Atlanta's offense didn't gain a yard and punted it to Denver with about 1 minute left in the 1st half, starting at their 33 yard line. Broncos couldn't do much with the opportunity and after a punt, Atlanta went back to work at their 19 yard line with about 30 seconds remaining in the 2nd quarter. Chris Blair caught a 22 yard pass to the Falcons 44 yard line but the drive would eventually lead to halftime with the Falcons being shut out.

Atlanta opened up the 2nd half on offense starting from their own 36 yard line with Justin Strand at QB. Falcons went 3 and out though, punting it back to Denver who would start from their own 20 yard line.

Sam Ehlinger started the 2nd half at QB. Ehlinger hooked up with Joseph Manjack for a couple of nice catches including a 20 yard hookup into Falcons territory. Broncos looked like they were going to go for it on 4th and 3 from the Falcons 32 but a Matt Peart false start backed them up and were forced to attempt a field goal. The snap was low to Crawshaw, the holder, so he picked it up and ran for 4 yards, turning the ball over at Atlanta 41.

Falcons gained an initial first down on a well executed screen pass for 18 yards but failed to much more with the drive, punting back to Denver who would start from their own 5 yard line with 5:52 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Jaleel McLaughlin back in the game after limping off the field at the end of the 2nd quarter. Unfortunately, while diving for extra yards he fumbled the ball and Atlanta recovered at the Denver 17 yard line. A few plays later, facing a 3rd and goal from the one, Jack Strand with the QB sneak TD to get Atlanta on the board, trailing 24-7 with 2:05 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Rowan had a hold that had an Ehlinger run called back but Cody Schrader helped bring the Broncos out of the shadow of their end zone with a 14 yard run and a quick reception in the flat for a 1st down. A couple of nice completions to Katsis (for 15 yards on 3rd and 11) and Manjack got the Broncos into Atlanta territory. Broncos would eventually settle for a 56 yard FG and Lutz's attempt was wide left.

Atlanta would take over but would only gain 3 yards. The drive included a sack by Drew Sanders. After a punt, Broncos offense would go to work from their 10 yard line. A couple of big penalties against Cobee Bryant including a 33 yard DPI would get the Broncos into Atlanta territory. Eventually, they would settle for a 46 yard FG, extending the lead 27-7 with 4:53 remaining in the game.

Broncos would eventually finish out the game in the victory formation, winning 27-7.

The next broadcast will be on Friday, August 21st as the Broncos return home to face the Packers. Coverage on KOA begins at 3pm MTN.

Below are interviews with Jarrett Stidham, Riley Moss