With a new playbook, a remade line and a quarterback competition in full bloom, the Denver Broncos offense showed itself to be a work in progress until the team's rookies saved the day late in a 24-17 win against the Bears in the preseason opener in Chicago.
QB depth chart: The game mirrored the last week’s worth of training camp practices, as Trevor Siemian, who started the game, looked more comfortable overall but didn’t push the ball down the field save for one throw to Emmanuel Sanders that resulted in a Bears penalty. Siemian was 6-of-7 for 51 yards with one field goal drive against the Bears’ starters. Paxton Lynch was erratic early before he settled in at least some in the third quarter and finished 6-of-9 for 42 yards. Neither quarterback manufactured a touchdown drive.
When it was starters vs. starters, the Broncos looked ...: A lot like the Broncos of 2016, with an elite defense and an offense that needs to pull a little more weight. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. returned an interception for a touchdown early in the first quarter for a Denver touchdown. The Broncos gave linebacker Von Miller the night off, but still showed plenty of teeth with the defensive regulars in the game.
One reason to be concerned: The Broncos are in their first training camp with Brock Olivo as their special teams coach, and it was a choppy start for the group. Kalif Raymond did quality work late with a 41-yard kickoff return, but the Broncos also surrendered a 17-yard punt return to go with a 44-yard kickoff return and Denver rookie Carlos Henderson dropped two kickoffs.
That guy could start: The Broncos are in search of an outside linebacker to help fill the void while Shane Ray recovers from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. And Kasim Edebali, whom Denver signed in free agency, made the most of his snaps. He created pressure on Mike Glennon on the throw that was intercepted by Harris and returned for the Broncos' first touchdown, and he consistently put the Chicago lineman across from him under duress.
Rookie watch: Undrafted rookie safety Jamal Carter, from Miami, got a long look, as he was in the game in the first quarter and still on the field deep into the fourth. The Broncos used Carter in a variety of situations as a hybrid safety/linebacker, both in the pass rush and deep down the field. He was consistently around the ball and had a fumble recovery in the first quarter. Second-round pick DeMarcus Walker got a long look as well and played both standing up as an outside linebacker and down in a three-point stance at defensive end. Quarterback Kyle Sloter hit rookie wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie for a 47-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, while running back De’Angelo Henderson also offered a glimpse of what he could bring to the offense with a 14-yard run in the fourth quarter that was wiped away by a holding penalty, and also a 41-yard touchdown run that turned out to be the game-winner.
Billy Winn injured: Winn was a regular in the defensive line rotation last season and has had some quality moments in training camp. He's in a tight battle for what is expected to be six roster spots. However, he suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and was carted off the field. He will be further evaluated Friday.
Opening night jitters: The Broncos have high hopes in their run game and they certainly didn’t leave the starters in for very long. But overall they didn’t create much room up front, they had just 58 yards rushing by the end of the third quarter and their longest rushing play was 8 yards in that time frame.