Broncos dominate Falcons 27-7 in preseason opener
Denver defeated Atlanta 27-7, improving to 1-0, with notable performances from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham and rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron, while several players drew criticism for mistakes.
Denver opened its preseason with a 27-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons, building a 24-0 lead by halftime and finishing with a solid defensive showing. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham completed 9 of 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, earning praise as the likely backup for the regular season. In contrast, third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger completed 10 of 14 passes for 67 yards and added 23 rushing yards but struggled to sustain drives, prompting doubts about his role as a backup.
Rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron recorded a pick-six and several pass breakups, highlighting his potential after being drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Running back Jonah Coleman impressed with four carries for 24 yards, prompting head coach Sean Payton to note his balance and burst during post-game remarks. Fullback Adam Prentice contributed a short-yardage touchdown and helped lead the ground game.
The game also featured several setbacks. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin fumbled after a touchdown catch, raising concerns about his roster security. Special teams experienced a botched snap by backup long snapper Luke Basso and a rushed 55-yard field-goal attempt by kicker Wil Lutz after a lineman entered the field late, drawing criticism from special-teams coach Darren Rizzi. The Broncos also incurred eight penalties, most in the second half, and their tight ends saw limited involvement.
Defensive standouts included edge rusher Jonathon Cooper, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, safety JL Skinner, linebacker Red Murdock, cornerback Riley Moss, and edge rusher Drew Sanders, each recording impactful plays. Overall, Denver’s depth allowed it to dominate despite missing several starters such as Bo Nix and Jaylen Waddle.