After a last second loss in week one that had a mixed bag, Denver Broncos look for execution in week two of the 2023 NFL preseason. With the return of multiple starters from injury, can Broncos begin to gel?

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Week one of the preseason looked like week one of the preseason for the Denver Broncos. Unhinged, fractured, uneven, however you would like to quantify it, it wasn’t spectacular. But hidden in that dysfunction were some bright spots. We got to see an offense that despite the inconsistencies put together three straight potential scoring drives. Russell Wilson and company can’t control missed field goals, they can only put the kicker in position to try. When the starters left the field they had a double digit lead, that it was a 10-0 lead is irrelevant. Both the offensive and defensive starters did their job, they got reps, left with a lead, and came out healthy.

I don’t know why everyone assumed this offense would be a well oiled machine with an entirely new coaching staff, multiple new pieces, their most expensive free agent (Mike McGlinchey) not on the field, a third string right tackle, a left-tackle playing for the first time in almost a year, and a career back-up starting at running back. Week two will be a true look at this offense with it’s best foot forward. On Saturday August 19, 2023 the Broncos will officially re-introduce the world to Javonte Williams less than 11 months since he tore his ACL in week four of the 2022 season. We should see McGlinchey make his debut as a Bronco giving them their front five they envisioned when they signed the big man on day one of free agency.

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Game two of the preseason will be crucial in this team establishing an identity and do it against a top-tier defense in the San Francisco 49ers. We say a lot of what head coach Sean Payton wants to do as the bones of this offense, run the rock and play-action off of it. The Denver Broncos will not give up on the run even when it doesn’t work early like what has frustrated so many in Broncos Country of the last several year. This is a pass league, yes, but a run game is essential to salting away a win. Peyton Manning is why we have the schtick “The best defense is a great offense”, the “easiest” way to beat a top-tier QB like Manning and Pat Mahomes is to not let them have the ball. An intricate game of keep away with a grinding run game and smash mouth defense has been the best remedy to these seemingly unstoppable forces. Coach Payton is also a disciple of the Bill Parcells tree, so no matter how innovative his offenses may have been over the years, it’s always been rooted in that old-school mentality of being the more physical team. At the end of the day, this is still tackle football.

Much has been made recently about Eric Bieniemy being harsh in Washington, and Andy Reid running the hardest training camp in the league. The thing I don’t hear enough in these stories is these are the men that have lead the charge of a the Kansas City Chiefs that are on the cusp of being dynastic. Being forged in fire strengthens even the strongest natural steel. Sean Payton is not running a summer camp at Dove Valley. Week two should show just this type of tempering coming to fruition if the smelting process was done correctly to remove any impurities. For at least the first 10-15 snaps, we should see at least the foundation of what this offense will be come September 10th against the rival Las Vegas Raiders.

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With that said here are things to watch within those beginning snaps, and if you really have the itch for week one, what to watch even when the starters leave the field.

Storylines to watch:

A. Can McLaughlin continue to impress? Rookie undrafted free agent running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been the darling of camp. He’s a bit undersized but extremely fast back with an amazing back story that has left a chip on his shoulder. The all-time leading FBS rusher in yards and touchdowns looks to creep up the depth chart in his second chance to impress.

B. Do the Denver Broncos have a viable back up offensive tackle? Week one was a scary preview of the depth behind Broncos starters Garrett Bolles and McGlinchey. Isaiah Prince looked like a broken screen door in week one, and no one stood out as every Denver QB was under duress throughout the game. Who will step up, or will Denver be forced to pursue a free-agent like vet Jason Peters?

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C. Who is the slot receiver? When veteran wideout Tim Patrick went down with a season ending achilles injury in week one of training camp many look at his 6’5″ frame and just assume he was an outside only receiver. He was the best slot-reciever the Broncos have had since Wes Welker joined forces with Peyton Manning in 2013. Then Denver released former second round pick K.J. Hamler for a non-football injury/illness. They traded up into the second round of this past draft to select speedster Marvin Mims Jr. out of Oklahoma, and brought in former Sean Payton disciple Marquez Callaway as depth and competition. One of these two or second year players Jalen Virgil and Brandon Johnson will need to take a major step forward sooner than later.

D. Denver depth lineman have to show better anchor in run game. The starting Denver Broncos defensive unit was extremely stout holding Arizona scoreless in the first half. But after D.J. Jones and Zach Allen left the field, the drop off to their back ups was noticeable. Despite Elijah Garcia ending a drive with back-to-back sacks, the Cardinals ran rough-shod at times and bullied the Broncos back-ups for almost the entire second half. Matt Henningson showed a microcosm of the game on the final play of the game that saw him make contact in the backfield to win the game only to not be able to finish and allow the Cardinals to convert the two-pointer that cost the Broncos game one by a single point.

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E. Who is the kick/punt returner? Game one saw a hand full of players get a look at both kick and punt returner. None really impressed, whether that be opportunity or lack of talent is yet to be determined. But, after years of atrocious special teams play and not a single kick return of any kind for a touchdown since 2013. Broncos Country is starving for some third phase excitement.

F. Who is the kicker? After two missed field goals and another that was blocked, the Broncos kicking game is suspect. The punting game wasn’t better with multiple mis-hits and a punt that barely traveled 30 yards. The release of long-time kicker McManus looks questionable if you forget how inconsistent he was over the last couple seasons on kicks over 40 yards. Although I agree with moving on from McManus who was one of the highest paid kickers in the league despite being at the bottom third in accuracy and range over the last two years. The competition though is not just who is on this roster, roster cuts will offer many intriguing options if non of the current ones don’t pan out over the next two weeks.

Yes, it’s just the preseason and the games are relatively meaningless in the big picture. But for the men on the fringes of the roster and those trying to re-establish themselves, these games are everything. There is always something interesting to watch even when the bottom of the roster is on the field. You just have to know where to look.

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