Falcons struggle in preseason opener against Broncos

The Atlanta Falcons lost to the Denver Broncos 27-7 in their first preseason game on August 14, 2026. Atlanta’s offense faced significant challenges, with Tua Tagovailoa and Cooper Rush failing to establish a rhythm, leading to poor passing performances and a low passer rating for Rush. Defensively, the Falcons allowed 163 rushing yards and struggled against the pass, unable to pressure Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who capitalized on their mistakes. The Falcons managed only one touchdown in the second half under quarterback Jack Strand. The team will look to address these issues in upcoming practices.

• 2:19 AMYahoo Sports — Instant analysis: Falcons lay an egg vs. Broncos in preseason debut