5 key takeaways from the Broncos preseason win against the Colts

Denver Broncos football is back. On Sunday, the Broncos defeated the Indianapolis Colts in their first preseason game by a 34-30 score at Lucas Oil Stadium. Bo Nix, alongside the rest of the 2024 rookie class, made their respective NFL debuts.

What were the key takeaways from what was such an important preseason game?

1. The Broncos offense will be way better with Bo Nix:

Denver's first-round draft pick had an impressive first NFL game. The Broncos had points on every Nix drive except one, where tight end Lucas Krull had a fumble and Indianapolis recovered. Before getting into details, here is Bo's final stat line.

Nix entered the game following two Jarrett Stidham drives (the first ended with a punt and the second with an interception). During his first drive, the former Oregon quarterback had two consecutive incompletions but threw a 22-yard dart to Courtland Sutton, converting a third down for his first completion. The first drive with Nix under center finished with a 41-yard field goal by Wil Lutz.

On the second drive, Bo looked aggressive, escaping pressure with two runs, one for six yards and the other for 11. The drive finished with a one-yard Marvin Mims touchdown from Nix on third down and goal.

If Bo is the starter, which is the most likely outcome for the Broncos, this offense will be way better than the 2023 one. Stidham looked similar to how he played in those two final games last season, a bit conservative with check-down passes. He had good completions to Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick though. Zach Wilson also looked good in his Denver Broncos debut. One key factor is the sacks as no quarterback took a sack during the win over the Colts.

2. 'Starting defense' allowed zero points against Anthony Richardson:

The Broncos' starting offense with Nix scored points against the Colts' starting defense. It is preseason, and not all starters were playing, but still. On defense, Denver allowed zero points to Anthony Richardson and the Colts' starting offense. On the first offensive drive for Indianapolis, Jonathan Taylor rushed for two yards on the first play, and then Richardson had two incompletions. One pass was broken up by Damarri Mathis, who is fighting for the starting cornerback spot opposing Patrick Surtain II.

It was Richardson's first game following a season-ending injury in Week 5 of his rookie year. People thought Richardson was getting only one drive, but head coach Shane Steichen had him out for a second drive since the first was a 'three and out'. The Colts' second offensive drive started with a big 19-yard dart to Mo Alie-Cox but they did not convert another first down, which led to a second-consecutive punt.

Richardson was substituted for veteran and former Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco after two drives, 25 passing yards, and one rushing yard. It is important to mention that Denver's key defensive starters did not play. Notably missing were Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, Patrick Surtain II, and Brandon Jones.

3. Penalties killed momentum on both sides of the ball:

Denver started their first offensive drive with a 13-yard pass from Stidham to Courtland Sutton, then a 14-yard pass to Tim Patrick (who was flagged for taunting after celebrating the catch). Following that taunting flag, Sutton had a false start. Two plays later, Mike McGlinchey had another false start. Denver ended up punting in that opening drive.

On the second offensive drive, Denver was at the Colts' 47-yard line, and then tackle Garett Bolles had a holding penalty. The drive ended with Stidham's interception, which was Samaje Perine's fault.

In the late third quarter, the Colts offense was driving, and second-year corner Art Green had an unnecessary roughness penalty which gave Indianapolis 15 free yards. The Colts scored a touchdown later in that drive.

Following that Colts touchdown, the Zach Wilson-led offense advanced 12 yards and then center Alex Forsyth had a holding penalty on a Wilson scramble, and the Broncos ended up punting on that drive.

4. Rushing game will be powerful if they can stay healthy:

Head coach Sean Payton recently said that a good rushing game is a good ally for the quarterback, especially when you have a rookie under center. Against the Colts, Denver had a strong game on the ground right from the start. Three out of five running backs had a rushing touchdown. Rookie Audric Estimé, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson respectively. The Broncos had 32 carries for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns. Additionally, the quarterbacks rushed for 16 yards on six carries, for a combined total of 131 yards.

Rookie Audric Estimé led the team with 31 yards, and if everyone in the room can stay healthy, this could be a powerful unit for Denver in 2024.

5. Turnovers:

Despite winning the game, the Broncos lost the turnover battle, starting with a Jarrett Stidham interception, set up for the defender by veteran running back Samaje Perine on the second drive. Bo Nix was successful leading to points on all but one drive in which tight end Lucas Krull fumbled. Estimé also fumbled the football, which was returned for a Colts touchdown. The Broncos fumbled four total times, but luck was in their favor twice. Denver's defense managed a single turnover: Keidron Smith's late-second-quarter interception.

It is the first preseason game and both turnovers and penalties should be reduced.

Bonus one - Jonah Elliss is a STUD:

The Broncos used their second pick of the 2024 draft (76th overall) to select the former Utah Utes edge rusher Jonah Elliss. Elliss pressured whoever was at the quarterback position for the Colts very easily. He had one sack and a big pressure that led Sam Ehlinger to throw a bad interception to Keidron Smith. Nik Bonitto has not stayed healthy and if Elliss continues to play like he did against the Colts, he could take the number three job behind Jonathon Cooper and Baron Browning.

The Broncos will have their home preseason debut on Sunday, August 18 against the Green Bay Packers.