The Denver Broncos wasted no time setting the tone in Atlanta, and their defense delivered the loudest message of the night.
Jarrett Stidham helped fuel the early surge with a touchdown pass, Jahdae Barron turned a takeaway into six points with a 97-yard interception return, and Denver rolled past the Falcons 27-7 on Friday night in preseason action.
Stidham was sharp in the first half, finishing 9 of 15 for 131 yards and connecting with Jaleel McLaughlin on a 5-yard touchdown pass. By halftime, the Broncos had already built a 24-0 lead, with the game tilted firmly in their favor.
Sam Ehlinger handled the second half for Denver and went 10-for-14 for 67 yards.
Atlanta’s quarterbacks never found much room to work. Tua Tagovailoa completed 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards across two series, while Cooper Rush threw two interceptions. One of those ended in a backbreaking play for the Falcons when linebacker Karene Reid got a deflection and Barron took it the distance for a 97-yard score.
The Falcons’ only touchdown came from undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who punched in a 1-yard run late in the third quarter after a McLaughlin fumble.
There were still some unresolved items on Atlanta’s side after the game. It’s not clear when quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be cleared for team drills as he works back from surgery on his left knee. Running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London were both in uniform, but neither played.
Atlanta also got two tackles from edge rusher James Pearce Jr. just hours after the NFL announced an eight-game suspension without pay for violating the personal conduct policy. That suspension begins Aug. 30, and he is expected to play in the rest of the preseason games.
The game was played on a new Field Turf surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, installed for the NFL season after real grass was used for eight World Cup soccer matches this summer.
Denver linebacker Levelle Bailey was carted off with an ankle injury and was listed as questionable.
The Broncos will host Green Bay next Friday. Atlanta’s next game is at Indianapolis on Aug. 22 after joint practices with the Colts.
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Falcons Preseason Debut Raised Two Early Concerns Fans Cant Ignore
The Falcons opened preseason with a 27-7 loss to the Broncos, and the score was only part of the story from a night that offered an early look at the roster's depth. Atlanta got a first glimpse of Tua Tagovailoa in game action, and veteran receiver Chris Blair finished as the teams leading target in the box score with 37 receiving yards.
More than the final margin, the concern was how little disruption Atlanta created defensively. The pass rush had trouble affecting Jarrett Stidham, leaving the Falcons searching for answers up front before the games start counting in earnest. With the opener in the books, those are the kinds of issues that tend to stick with a coaching staff until the next chance to clean them up. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Twisted The Knife During Falcons' Ugly Preseason Opener
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Sean Payton added another layer to the frustration from the broadcast booth, taking a shot at the home crowd attendance while the Broncos kept extending control of the game. It was the kind of preseason performance that can linger beyond one August night, especially when the opposition is not only outplaying you, but also making sure to notice the empty seats along the way. [Read more 🡒]
Sean Payton Twists The Knife As Broncos Embarrass Falcons Early
The Falcons preseason trip to Denver turned into an ugly afternoon long before the starters could settle in, with the Broncos racing to a 24-0 halftime lead and Atlanta fans already letting their frustration spill over in boos. It was the kind of lopsided exhibition half that leaves little to soften, especially with the home side struggling to generate much reason for optimism in a building that had plenty of empty seats by halftime.
Sean Payton only added to the sting from there. During a halftime interview, the Broncos coach pointed out the sparse crowd, a sharp jab from a longtime Falcons nemesis who knows exactly how to press the right buttons. For Atlanta, it was one more reminder that even in August, the bad vibes can travel fast when a game gets away early. [Read more 🡒]