After two weeks of training camp, the Denver Broncos are reading to hit the field. Stick here for live updates and analysis as the Broncos host the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field.
Final thoughts
Ryan O’Halloran, Broncos beat writer: Final thoughts on Broncos’ preseason opener: 1. The positive is there are only two more of these preseason games remaining. 2. The Jonas Griffith injury is a concern because the Broncos’ inside linebacker depth isn’t great. 3. At least Nathaniel Hackett won’t have to spend 60 minutes tomorrow reviewing his team’s penalties; Mike McCarthy will have to. 4. The Broncos’ receiver depth was on display as Seth Williams, Kendall Hinton, Brandon Johnson and Jalen Virgil all flashed.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Last time the Broncos shut out a preseason foe? The opening week vs. Chicago at Soldier Field in 2016 (22-0). Last time they did it at home? Preseason Week 4 vs. Arizona in 2009 (19-0). Those teams won nine and eight games, respectively, so it’s a fun stat that signifies … well, nothing. (Especially since the Cowboys got a late TD.) But overall? Compared to Grumpy Vic and Shurmur Ball, Saturday night felt like a ray of sunshine. Even in the pouring rain.
Mike Singer, sports reporter: The backup QB battle should be as relevant as the rest of the Rockies’ regular season. In the event that something happens to Russell Wilson, Nikola Jokic ain’t walking through that door. After a slow start, Josh Johnson found his touch, finishing with a respectable 16 completions for 172 yards. Brett Rypien wasn’t horrible, either. Although he failed to engineer a touchdown, he connected on eight passes for 113 yards. While the duo worked for the preseason opener, neither will suffice if Wilson isn’t under center.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Victory was as much fun as Broncos Country can have in the rain on a summer night when almost nobody that will really matter to success or failure of this NFL season was on the field for Denver. The good stuff? Montrell Washington showed he just might take a punt to the house in 2022. Baron Browning shined after moving back to inside linebacker when Jonas Griffith went down with elbow injury. And if you’re not cheering for Kendall Hinton, who caught a touchdown pass, you might not have a soul.
Live updates
Second half updates
That’s a wrap (10:02 p.m.): And the first (preseason) game of the Russell Wilson Era is in the books (without Russ playing a down). Broncos 17, Cowboys 7.
Virgil for president (9:50 p.m.): Jalen Virgil, you’ve stolen our hearts. The rookie receiver out of Appalachian State now has two chunk plays on the night after a leaping 30-yard reception on a fade from QB Brett Rypien. Gotta think he’s given the coaches something to think about. (Also, the Broncos’ drive into Cowboys territory stalled once again. Rypien’s second half has yet to produce a point.) — Matt Schubert
A shutout is off the table (9:47 p.m.). James Madison product Ben DiNucci threw a dart on third-and-goal from the Broncos 12, hitting Simi Fehoko in the end zone for the Cowboy’s lone touchdown of the night. The Broncos’ last preseason shutout came in 2016 against the Bears in Soldier Field. And it will stay that way for at least another week. Broncos 17, Cowboys 7 — Matt Schubert
Still playing (9:28 p.m.): The good news: It’s stopped pouring at Empower Field. The bad news: They are still playing football. — Matt Schubert
Let ‘er Ryp (9:05 p.m.): Drive No. 2 of the Brett Rypien Experience was an impressive one…. right up until the end. Starting at the 1-yard line, Rypien marched the Broncos all the way to the Dallas 3-yard line only to throw three straight incompletions (one a Stevie Scott III drop that probably should’ve been a TD, and the other two off-target throws that probably should’ve been interceptions) to come away with zero points.
Still, there were some things to like: A well-placed deep throw to Jalen Virgil went for 42 yards — and showed off Virgil’s toughness. Rypien was 5 for 9 for 77 yards on the drive. And, oh yeah, it’s POURING out there. — Matt Schubert
Yellow throws (8:55 p.m.): The Cowboys need more practice and fewer fights. We’re now at 11 penalties for 79 yards for America’s Team. — Sean Keeler
Rypien’s time (8:48 p.m.): Much like his predecessor in the first half, QB Brett Rypien got off to a slow start with a pair of incompletions on the Broncos’ first drive of the third quarter. — Matt Schubert
First half analysis
Ryan O’Halloran, Broncos beat reporter: Broncos quarterback Josh Johnson started out poorly, leading to a discussion at our end of the press box about whether the Week 1 backup quarterback is on the roster yet. But Johnson ended the first half 16-of-23 passing for 172 yards and touchdown tosses to Seth Williams and Kendall Hinton. The bright spots offensively were Montrell Washington (also as a punt returner) and Brandon Johnson (four catches).
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Well, NFL football in August is fraught with false positives. But ain’t nothing wrong with the Broncos’ 17-0 dominance of America’s Former Team at the half. Let’s jump to conclusions and project this performance as an indicator the Broncos will be in Buffalo in January for the AFC championship game. My buddy Ryan O’Halloran has promised to buy the wings.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: If the Broncos started taking on the personality of “Uncle” Vic Fangio in all the wrong ways, this one already looks like it’s had a football lobotomy. They’re flying around. Having fun. Hugging. (Hugging!) In The Backup Bowl, the Broncos look like a “Sunshine” Nathaniel Hackett team, and the Cowboys have more yards in penalties (65) than through the air (58). Josh Johnson’s found his groove after a slow start, and fan faves Kendall Hinton and Baron Browning are being joined by Seth Williams and Montrell Washington as Twitter darlings. Many silver linings and only two big clouds — injuries to ILB Jonas Griffith and CB Michael Ojemudia.
Mike Singer, sports reporter: If local product Max Borghi (four carries for 10 yards) can’t make the team, perhaps he could find a gig as a sponsor for The Wild Corgi Pub in Cap Hill. Maybe? Bueller?
First half updates
And that’s the half (8:28 p.m.): We got ourselves an offensive explosion in the second quarter. Backup QB Josh Johnson woke from his preseason slumber to throw a pair of TD passes (Seth Williams and a high-pointing Kendall Hinton), then led a two-minute drill that ended in a Brandon McManus 52-yard field goal (after a Cowboys offsides penalty). Broncos 17, Cowboys 0
The big news:Â Baron Browning is a beast. Jonas Griffith is hurt. And the Broncos might have something with punt returner Montrell Washington. — Matt Schubert
Touchdown Denver (8:10 p.m.)
Washington’s got wheels (8:01 p.m.): Hear us out: Rookie kick returner Montrell Washington just might be an upgrade over Diontae Spencer. On two punt returns, the Samford product has 45 yards. He just might be a keeper. — Matt Schubert
Touchdown Denver (7:50 p.m.)
One quarter, zero points (7:43 p.m.): Still awake? If so, we apologize. We’re one quarter into this battle of backups and we’ve learned this much:Â The Cowboys and Broncos desperately need their No. 1 QBs to stay healthy. — Matt Schubert
Shooting for 0-0 (7:39 p.m.): We now have two drives into the other team’s territory and no points on either of them. The latest was a slightly impressive march by Johnson and the Broncos to the Cowboys 29 that ended with a blitzer hitting Johnson just as he was looking to hit a receiver in the flat. Incomplete. And we move on with this 0-0 thriller. — Matt Schubert
Finally, some excitement! (7:34 p.m.): It took four possessions, but we finally got a football play worth mentioning: P.J. Locke’s fourth-down interception of Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Locke jumped the short out route and outfought WR Jalen Tolbert for the ball. — Matt Schubert
This game stinks (7:25 p.m.). The teams have combined for four punts and one first down (acquired by the Broncos via penalty).
Real time elapsed since kickoff: 19 minutes.
Game time elapsed: 4:49 — Ryan O’Halloran
Johnson underwhelming (7:23 p.m.): If you’re looking for reassurance the Broncos could survive a few bumps and bruises with Russell Wilson, the backup quarterback hasn’t provided it so far. Two drives and little to no movement. We might be in for a looonnngggg night. — Matt Schubert
Josh Johnson gets the nod (7:14 p.m.): What we all expected happened: Backup QB Josh Johnson got the start under center behind the backup offensive line. Three plays, minus-4 yards. — Matt Schubert
Griffith grounded (7:07 p.m.). It took all of two plays for the Broncos to suffer their first injury: inside linebacker Jonas Griffith was in on a tackle, then spent several moments on the ground while being attended to by trainers. He walked off the field with a left elbow injury — and went directly to the locker room. — Matt Schubert
Russ bus in park? (7:05 p.m.). Russell Wilson had his helmet on and was warming up on the sidelines. Then he appeared to say a prayer with Brett Rypien. And suddenly the helmet was gone. Sad face. — Matt Schubert
One thing we’re looking for…
Ryan O’Halloran, Broncos beat reporter: The player I’m most interested in watching tonight is rookie outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. The team’s top draft pick (second round), Bonitto should be given a heavy play-time load because Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed are unlikely to play and Randy Gregory remains on the physically unable to perform list. Keep an eye on No. 42 as a pass rusher and run defender.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Give me lots of undrafted free agent RB Max Borghi, our favorite local, and some reliable hands at wide receiver.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: Can one of the Broncos’ rookies emerge in their first appearance on the (sort of) NFL stage? OLB Nik Bonitto has drawn rave reviews in practice. Same for WR/KR Montrell Washington. How about local product and undrafted free agent RB Max Borghi? Gotta believe he’s going to get a fair number of carries with the starters not expected to play much (if at all).
Pregame updates
Early work (5:13 p.m.): Those lucky enough to get in the stadium early got to see Broncos QB Russell Wilson get in a workout. Wilson was on the field more than two hours before kickoff, going through his throwing routine to receivers while wearing headphones and a sleeveless hooded sweatshirt. It’s presumed that Wilson will not play in Saturday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. But we’ll keep our fingers crossed for you. –– Matt Schubert & Ryan O’Halloran
Broncos-Cowboys preseason opener: Must reads
Five players to watch as Broncos’ focus against Dallas turns to back of the roster
The Broncos starters got their work in during Thursday’s joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys, which means the back-of-the-roster candidates will see the state of their depth Saturday night.
Here are five players to watch, some of whom are fighting for a spot and others fighting for a role. — Ryan O’Halloran
Read more from Ryan O’Halloran.
Kiszla: Sick and tired of getting pushed around, Broncos pick a fight with Cowboys
As the temperature spiked and tempers flared, with no less than a half-dozen dust-ups that sometimes led to fisticuffs, somebody should’ve hosed down these undisciplined Broncos and churlish Cowboys and sent them all to bed without dinner during Thursday’s joint practice. — Mark Kiszla
Keeler: Jerry Jeudy, it’s now or never. This Broncos offense and Russell Wilson will go as you go.
Nathaniel Hackett’s first Broncos offense will likely go as Jerry Jeudy goes, kids. For better or for worse.
To wit: The third-year wideout out of Alabama appeared in 10 games in orange and blue last fall. When No. 10 touched the ball five or more times, the Broncos went 4-1 and averaged 25 points per game —Â a scoring clip which should, more often than not, do the trick with this defense.
In the other five games that saw the former first-round draft pick touch it four times or fewer, Denver went 1-4 and averaged 16.8 points. In other words, Shurmur ball. — Sean Keeler
