The Falcons’ preseason opener on Friday night gives Atlanta its first live look at a team still taking shape, even if Denver won’t be at full strength with Bo Nix sitting out. It’s also the first chance to see what new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s Falcons might look like this season.
There are four names worth tracking closely against the Broncos.
Tua Tagovailoa is set to handle the quarterback job for now because Michael Penix still hasn’t been cleared for 11-on-11 work. Tagovailoa doesn’t bring Penix’s arm strength, but he does bring better accuracy and a lot more experience. If he gets comfortable early and starts building chemistry with Drake London and the rest of the receiver group, it could make Penix’s path back to the top of the competition a lot tougher.
At receiver, Zachariah Branch will make his NFL debut. The former Georgia wideout has already flashed with some highlight-reel deep grabs in camp, though those came with Penix delivering the ball. Against Denver, the task is different: Branch may need to do more damage closer to the line of scrimmage, where Georgia used him so often, if he wants to build a connection with Tagovailoa.
Up front and on the edge, James Pearce Jr. is another key watch. The Falcons’ 2025 sack leader is expected to be suspended by the league office at some point, with a possible absence of eight or more games, which makes this preseason stretch even more important. Pearce’s rookie year was a big one - he finished with 10.5 sacks - and a disruptive outing Friday would be a reminder that the pass-rush future still has real upside, even with uncertainty hanging over the rotation.
The last name to circle is linebacker Christian Harris. Jeff Ulbrich’s defense has a major question at the other linebacker spot next to Divine Deablo, and Harris is first up to answer it.
The former Houston third-round pick started for the Texans in each of his first two seasons before coming off the bench the last two years. Now projected to start again, Harris will be under the microscope, especially when it comes to coverage.
In Other News...
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
The Falcons preseason opener had already turned into a rough night by the time halftime arrived, with Denver piling up a 24-0 lead and Atlanta struggling to get anything clean going on either side of the ball. The offense never found much rhythm, the defense was giving up completions too easily, and the whole outing had the feel of a team still searching for its footing before the games start to count.
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 🡒]