Preseason Week 1 Recap: Five Key Takeaways from the Broncos’ 27-7 Win Over Atlanta
The Denver Broncos couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the 2026 preseason.
Denver jumped all over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night, building a 24-0 halftime lead before cruising to a 27-7 victory. The Broncos were dominant on both sides of the ball early, moving the football efficiently on offense while forcing two turnovers and consistently making life difficult for Atlanta’s quarterbacks.
Of course, preseason results don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Bo Nix didn't play, several starters were limited, and Denver will face much tougher competition once the regular season begins.
But that doesn’t mean the preseason is meaningless.
For a team with several intriguing position battles and a number of young players fighting for roster spots, these games provide an opportunity to see who is separating themselves from the competition.
Several Broncos did exactly that against the Falcons.
Here are five key takeaways from Denver’s preseason-opening victory:
1. Jarrett Stidham is Clearly the Frontrunner for the Backup Quarterback Job
If the Broncos truly entered training camp with an open competition for the backup quarterback job, Jarrett Stidham appears to have created some separation.
Stidham got the start with Bo Nix sitting out and made the most of his opportunity, completing 9 of 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, Denver’s offense looked comfortable with him running the show.
The Broncos moved the ball at will with Stidham under center, scoring 17 points on three of their first four offensive possessions. Stidham consistently got the ball out on time while making several impressive throws downfield, including a 24-yard completion to Evan Engram and a 23-yard strike to Troy Franklin.
Sam Ehlinger, meanwhile, had an opportunity to make his case in the second half but didn’t do much to close the gap. He completed 10 of 16 passes for just 67 yards and did not push the ball down the field with much frequency.
That’s important because Stidham entered the preseason with considerably more NFL experience than Ehlinger, including an appearance in the 2025 AFC Championship Game after Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the Divisional Round the previous weekend.
Denver doesn’t need Stidham to be Nix, but the Broncos do need to know they can trust him if Nix ever misses time.
Based on the first preseason game, Stidham looks like the clear favorite to be QB2.
There are still two preseason games remaining, but this is becoming Stidham’s job to lose.
2. Courtland Sutton Looks Ready to Make a Major Impact in 2026
Jaylen Waddle understandably received plenty of attention after joining Denver this offseason.
But if Friday night’s performance was any indication, Courtland Sutton isn’t planning on taking a backseat to anyone.
Sutton made two of the biggest plays of the night for the Broncos, including a spectacular one-handed catch that immediately reminded everyone why the veteran remains such an important part of Denver’s offense.
He also hauled in a 40-yard reception in the first quarter, demonstrating that he can still be a dangerous downfield threat despite entering his ninth NFL season. The play was even more significant because Sutton’s catch brought the Broncos all the way down to the Atlanta 1-yard line, and Denver scored a touchdown on the very next play.
That should be encouraging for a Broncos offense that suddenly has an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver.
Waddle brings elite speed and explosiveness. Sutton brings size, physicality and an established rapport with Bo Nix. Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims Jr. provide even more options behind them.
The addition of Waddle doesn’t necessarily mean Sutton’s role has to diminish.
In fact, it could have the opposite effect.
Defenses won’t be able to focus as heavily on Sutton if Waddle is commanding attention on the other side of the formation. That could create more favorable matchups for Sutton throughout the season.
Friday night was obviously just one preseason appearance, but Sutton looked every bit like a player capable of making another major impact in 2026.
3. Jahdae Barron Looks Ready for Extensive Playing Time
It’s difficult to make a bigger impact than Jahdae Barron did Friday night.
Denver’s first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft intercepted Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush in the second quarter and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, giving the Broncos a commanding 24-0 lead.
Of course, Barron’s performance was about more than the highlight play. He finished the night with three total tackles and a pass deflection while continuing to demonstrate the versatility that made him such an intriguing addition to Denver’s secondary.
But it was another reminder of why the Broncos invested a first-round pick in him.
Denver already has one of the league’s most talented cornerbacks in Patrick Surtain II, along with a promising young player in Riley Moss. Ja’Quan McMillian will once again be the team’s slot cornerback.
Barron doesn’t necessarily have to beat one of those players out for a starting role.
He simply needs to prove that he belongs on the field.
His performance against Atlanta was a strong indication that he can do exactly that.
And if Barron continues playing like this throughout the preseason, don’t be surprised if the Broncos find ways to get their first-round pick involved early and often once the regular season begins.
4. Denver Should Be in Good Hands If J.K. Dobbins Misses Time
The Broncos obviously hope J.K. Dobbins stays healthy throughout the 2026 season.
But if he does miss time, Denver may have a more than capable replacement waiting behind him.
Jonah Coleman didn’t have a huge statistical night, rushing for 24 yards on four carries. However, the rookie’s final two runs gained 20 yards, and those carries offered a glimpse of what makes him such an intriguing addition to the Broncos’ backfield.
Coleman ran with power, balance and determination, consistently fighting through contact and keeping his legs moving.
Those are precisely the traits Denver hoped to get when it selected Coleman in the fourth round.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has already praised Coleman’s balance and physical running style, and the rookie showed those qualities against the Falcons.
Dobbins should remain Denver’s starting running back when the regular season begins. There is no reason to overreact to one preseason game and suggest otherwise.
But the Broncos don’t need Coleman to be Dobbins.
They need him to be capable of stepping into a larger role if Dobbins misses time.
Friday night offered plenty of reason to believe Coleman can do exactly that.
5. Red Murdock Has a Legitimate Shot to Make the 53-Man Roster
There may not have been a player who helped his roster chances more than Red Murdock.
Denver selected Murdock with the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him Mr. Irrelevant. But if his preseason debut is any indication, he may not be irrelevant for long.
Murdock finished the night with eight total tackles, showing the instincts and physicality that drew the Broncos to him during the draft process.
Perhaps his most impressive play came early in the second half.
With Atlanta facing a third down on its opening possession after halftime, Murdock brought down Falcons running back Nathan Carter for a short gain, helping force a three-and-out and immediately getting the Broncos’ offense back on the field.
For a player selected 257th overall, those kinds of plays are exactly the kinds of plays he needs to make.
Of course, one preseason game isn’t going to guarantee Murdock a roster spot.
Denver has plenty of competition at linebacker, and Murdock will need to continue proving that he can contribute on special teams and hold his own defensively against better competition.
But that’s exactly what makes his performance so intriguing.
At this point, making the 53-man roster doesn’t feel like an unrealistic goal.
And if Murdock continues making plays over the next two preseason games, he could put himself in position to earn more than a roster spot. He could earn meaningful defensive snaps as a rookie.
