The Denver Broncos absolutely stomped the Atlanta Falcons 27-7 on August 14, 2026, in their preseason opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and what we saw from a lot of their squad was straight-up impressive. Yeah, there was no Bo Nix out there, but the team that hit the field looked like a well-oiled machine, especially on offense and defense.
Offense Looked Crisp, D Was Just Vicious
Davis Webb kicked off the season with a seriously balanced attack from his offense. Forget all those high-frequency screen plays from the past; they were GONE. The run game was leaning on multiple guys in the first half, and the passing game? Crisp and varied, just like you want it. For a preseason game where teams are just kicking the tires, this offense looked seriously well coached and ready to roll, and that’s a huge compliment. Even with centers Luke Wattenberg and Alex Forsyth unavailable, forcing Guard Calvin Throckmorton to handle snapping duties for the first half, the offensive line still looked like one of the NFL’s best. They paved the way for a healthy run game, with multiple ball carriers averaging over 3.5 yards per carry. Jonah Coleman was the back everyone was hyped to see, and he did not disappoint! He ran with serious vision, finding creases and making cutback opportunities. That 14-yard run where he spun off a tackler? Chef’s kiss, showing off his ability to gain those extra yards.
And let’s not gloss over that defense. “Smothering” is the word, folks. They just shut down the Falcons, end of story.
Stidham Solidifies Backup, Ehlinger Fights On
The quarterback play was a big storyline. Jarrett Stidham, to me, pretty much locked up that backup quarterback spot. He showed an excellent grasp of the offense and executed super well. Early on, that quick, accurate slant to Sutton was perfectly timed, beating some great coverage. Yeah, he had a rough throw on a 3rd and 6 that stalled a drive, throwing behind his receiver on a quick route. You gotta put those short, under-5-yard routes in front where a player can keep running and make a play for extra yardage. But still, Stidham finished with a QBR of 110.7, completing 9 out of 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. That’s a solid night.
Sam Ehlinger got the second half, and he definitely looked like a young guy fighting for a spot. His ball placement wasn’t quite as precise as Stidham’s, but he still had a respectable night, ending with an 81.5 QBR on 10 out of 14 passes for 67 yards.
So, where do the Broncos go from here? The special teams unit is clearly an area that needs some quality focus as training camp rolls on. But with an offense already looking this polished and a defense that’s just flat-out smothering opponents, this Broncos team has a lot to look forward to as the preseason continues.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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