The Denver Broncos got the preseason off to a winning start, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 17-7 on Saturday night.
The game featured nearly all backups for both teams so the product we saw on the field during this game is far from what we will see when the games start to count. In addition, things got off to a disastrous start for the Broncos when linebacker Jonas Griffith was hurt on the second play from scrimmage.
But the team pulled together and put on a solid display against the Cowboys, giving fans some hope that if this is how the backups look, the starters could be fantastic. Though it was just a preseason game, the win also extended the Broncos’ dominance in the series against the Cowboys.
Here are three things that we are able to glean from Saturday night’s game.
The Broncos need more at inside linebacker
Regardless of the severity of Griffith’s injury, and it looked to be an issue with his elbow, seeing him go down was a reminder of just how shallow the team is at this position.
Josey Jewell is going to be a starter and most fans will likely be satisfied with the combination of Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. But is that sufficient? What if one of those guys goes down?
Trading for Roquan Smith may be a bit too costly, but the team did work out Joe Schobert not long ago and he would be a suitable option.
This seems to be a position that has either been a tad overlooked or one in which George Paton just felt the team was solid. But the Broncos are going to have issues at this spot all season and you can almost see it coming.
Additionally, it’s a spot where the team has accepted subpar play at for far too long.
There are players that Paton could bring in to help shore it up. Does the team really need 13 wide receivers on the roster right now? Perhaps let one of them go and add more depth at inside linebacker.
Baron Browning looks great at EDGE
It seemed curious when offseason reports trickled out that the Broncos were considering moving second-year linebacker Baron Browning to the outside. After a short glimpse in this preseason game, it appears to make a lot of sense to play him there.
Browning made his presence felt from the opening play, smacking Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle for no gain in the backfield. When he was on the field, he was all over the place, making plays and showing the team that he is going to be a force as an edge rusher.
If Griffith is going to miss time, a popular opinion will be to move Browning back inside. But after seeing the talent he flashed on the outside in this game, I have no idea why the team would opt to do that rather than to bring in a guy like Schobert or re-signing Alexander Johnson, who is still a free agent.
Browning could be a breakout player for the team this season and he was aggressive, disruptive and full of energy in this game, all the things you want to see out of a guy playing on the outside.
Browning finished the game with four tackles, one sack and a pass deflection in this game.
Josh Johnson has a huge lead in the QB2 battle
Heading into this game, the backup quarterback position was one to watch. Josh Johnson may have wrapped it up with his performance in this game.
It was already thought that the veteran Johnson would have the inside track to be Russell Wilson’s backup this season and he shined in this game, completing 16-of-23 throws for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition to that, he made some tough throws and showed a real command of the offense.
When Brett Rypien entered the game, the offense clearly didn’t run as smoothly and he struggled to find his receivers, nearly throwing an interception more than once.
Rypien finished the game completing just 8-of-18 passes for 113 yards. While there are still two preseason games left, it would be a big surprise to see Johnson not win the No. 2 quarterback job.
The Broncos will now have to cut five players before the deadline on Tuesday.
The Broncos will now travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in preseason action next Saturday.