The Denver Broncos (0-0) are set to face the Atlanta Falcons (0-0) in Week 1 of NFL preseason at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday, Aug. 14.
Kickoff for the cross-conference exhibition game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MT (7:00 p.m. ET). The game will be locally televised in the Denver market on 9News (and on these channels). Out-of-market fans can stream the Broncos-Falcons game on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan. The game is also available to stream on NFL+ for out-of-market fans.
Denver and Atlanta both plan to play their starters for around 10 plays, but Broncos quarterback Bo Nix won't suit up tonight. Nix will play in the team's next two home preseason games on natural grass. Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger will each
play a half in Atlanta tonight. The Falcons plan to start quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Follow along below for live updates from Friday's game.
Jonathon Cooper and Courtland Sutton working out early
Among the #Broncos players getting some (very) early work in on the field here: OLB Jonathon Cooper and WR Courtland Sutton.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) August 14, 2026
We'll see what their respective statuses are for tonight's game.
Broncos QB Bo Nix warms up
Bo Nix may not be playing in the preseason opener tonight, but that’s not stopping him from getting that work in 👀 pic.twitter.com/yUT5Rl7FfS
— KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (@KOAColorado) August 14, 2026
Nix isn't playing tonight, but he still did some pre-game warmups.
Bo Nix going through pregame warmup. Not playing tonight but getting in some long tossing. (Baseball term). pic.twitter.com/jn6cEQgReP
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) August 14, 2026
Sean Payton wants to win
Yes, it's only preseason, but Payton wants to win every game, even in August. “You’re trying to win, you’re trying to win everything," Payton said after Wednesday's practice. "I just believe in that. You’re trying to build something where everything’s competitive, everything matters." The Broncos went 3-0 in 2024 and 2025. They'll aim to improve to 7-0 in their last seven preseason games tonight.
Broncos ready for dress rehearsal
Denver has three opportunities to improve this summer ahead of the regular season in September. “I think it’s huge," offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey said of getting reps in preseason. "It’s a dress rehearsal. You go through the full routine. You go through your full prep. It’s an opportunity for us to put our uniform on and play live football, and you don’t get those opportunities… You do a little bit out here, but it doesn’t feel quite the same when guys aren’t going to the ground or the play’s not live. So it’s an exciting [opportunity] for us. We’re excited to get going to Atlanta and hit the ground running.”
After the Falcons game, the Broncos will return home to host the Green Bay Packers (Aug. 21) and Minnesota Vikings (Aug. 28) at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver will then finalize a 53-man roster before turning attention toward the regular season, which begins in September.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos vs. Falcons: Live game updates from preseason opener
