Falcons struggle against Broncos in preseason opener

The Atlanta Falcons faced the Denver Broncos in their first preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 14, 2026. The Falcons fell behind quickly, trailing 24-0 at halftime and ultimately losing the game 27-7. Despite notable absences, including Michael Penix and Bijan Robinson, the Falcons aimed to showcase their starters, though they demonstrated significant challenges on both offense and defense. Jack Strand showed promise at quarterback, scoring Atlanta's only touchdown, while Tyler Goodson led the running back competition with a standout performance. Special teams also showed improvement despite the overall defeat.

• 5:40 PMYahoo Sports — 3 up, 3 down Preseason Week 1: Struggles on offense and defense