Preseason Reflections on Falcons vs. Broncos

It’s that time of year again—preseason. Everyone’s in the same boat: players, coaches, fans. We’re all just shaking off the rust, getting back into the swing of things. It’s a lengthy process, not something to rush through.

However, Friday’s season opener for the Atlanta Falcons against the Denver Broncos didn’t go as planned. Tua Tagovailoa, the new quarterback, had a rather average performance. He made a few short passes to Kyle Pitts but had a fumble on just his second snap of the game.

That’s Tua for you—seemingly in midseason form. Honestly, if there’s anyone that can turn a fumble into an art form, it’s him. I’ve seen his antics through all four seasons, and this one wasn’t much different.

By halftime, Atlanta found themselves trailing 24-0, while Denver’s coach Sean Payton took the opportunity to really let the city feel the weight of the score.

Sean Payton Exudes Confidence

“Well… there seemed to be a lot of folks dressed but not in their seats today,” he remarked, perhaps to highlight the sparse crowd.

It’s interesting—while the Braves were playing at home, drawing in fans, the Falcons seemed to be facing an uphill battle, competing for attention in their preseason opener. At this early stage, who honestly attends these games anyway? Especially the first one? You really have to force yourself unless it’s the second game, which is, uh, another story.

All that aside, Payton definitely has that midseason energy. It looks like he’s ready to dive into the season, and the Broncos are looking to bounce back this year after missing the Super Bowl last season. They’ve reloaded, and it seems like they’re eager to prove themselves.

Last night’s 27-7 victory certainly set a positive tone for them, and judging by how Payton is approaching the season, the team appears to be keen on following his lead.

Welcome back, NFL. Let’s get through the preseason and gear up for what really matters.