Broncos at Falcons: 3 players to watch in Week 1 of NFL preseason

The Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a final score of 27-7 during the Week 1 NFL preseason opener on August 14, 2026. According to game recaps from ESPN and Yahoo Sports, the Broncos' offense performed well early in the contest. Davis Webb played a significant role in the victory, with The Denver Post noting that the offense hummed under his leadership and highlighting what the outlet described as Webb's hidden strength. While the Broncos focused on operational success, the Falcons used the game to evaluate their roster, including the debuts of several rookies. Coverage of the matchup was extensive across multiple regional and national platforms. ESPN and Yahoo Sports provided the official game recap and highlights of the win. Local outlets such as The Denver Post and Mile High Report focused on the tactical takeaways and a review of the Broncos' performance.

On the Atlanta side, AJC.com provided a stock report to determine which players were rising or falling following the loss, and the official Atlanta Falcons channel released a game breakdown to analyze the events of the matchup. Yahoo Sports also reported on the reactions of Falcons players and their coaching staff regarding the 20-point deficit. Prior to the game, several key storylines dominated the discourse. Much of the attention centered on the Broncos' quarterback situation. ESPN and 9News reported that Bo Nix was on track with his progress but would sit out the preseason opener. This led The Denver Post to raise questions regarding who would serve as the backup to Nix. Additionally, the Denver Broncos' own communications emphasized that while starters would see some action, the game was a critical opportunity for rookies to make their professional debuts.

These dynamics set the stage for the evaluative nature of the contest. Looking forward, analysts and teams are focusing on the fallout from the Week 1 results. The Falcons are currently reviewing rookie performances and roster standing via their rookie watch and stock reports. For the Broncos, the focus remains on the development of the quarterback room and the continued evaluation of players following Davis Webb's performance. Future coverage will likely track how the results of this preseason game influence final roster cuts and the integration of rookies into the active lineups as the NFL preseason progresses.