The Denver Broncos put on a dominant display in their first preseason game of the season, beating the Atlanta Falcons 27-7 in Atlanta on Friday night.
Both the Broncos offense and defense were feeling it in the first half, going into halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead. However, in the second half, the scoring tapered off, with only three points in the final 30 minutes of playing time. Despite the fast start and the slow ending, there was a lot to be happy about coming from this game.
We take a look at the six biggest risers and fallers from the victory.
Riser: QB Jarrett Stidham
Stidham played extremely well with the first-team offense, completing nine-of-15 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. Stidham was accurate, moved on the run, and made plays when he had to. His first drive was a great one; six plays, 69 yards in a little less than five minutes, culminating in a touchdown. That's the kind of play that separates a quarterback battle. Stidham also threw a touchdown to Jaleel McLaughlin, his only scoring throw of the night.
Faller: Special teams
This one is an all-around faller. Kicker Wil Lutz hit all his extra point attempts and punter Jeremy Crawshaw had a 62-yard punt from his own end zone, but that's about all the superlatives we can give the group. The field goal operation in the second half was a mess. Long snapper Luke Basso (who is in a training camp battle of his own) skipped a snap to Crawshaw, and on the very next field goal attempt, veteran lineman Matt Peart was late getting onto the field, causing Lutz to miss a 55-yard attempt. Special teams has been a point of emphasis for Payton during his Broncos tenure, and this was the kind of performance where players could lose their roster spot.
Riser: WR Joseph Manjack
The gloveless wonder caught three passes for 40 yards from Sam Ehlinger, including a 20-yard catch which put Denver in field goal range. Manjack was an undrafted player out of TCU, and his unorthodox style earns him a few points. He is coming off a great week of camp, and that could bump him up a few spots on the depth chart.
Faller: RB Jaleel McLaughlin
McLaughlin did have a touchdown catch in the first half, but a bad fumble in the second half clouded that first score. McLaughlin spent most of the 2025 season on the practice squad, and is known for his reliability. He is a well-liked player in the locker room, but he was clearly distraught on the sideline after coughing up the football. The miscue also led to the first Falcons points of the game.
Riser: LB Red Murdock
Murdock led the Broncos with eight total tackles (four solo), including one where he was literally being dragged down by an offensive lineman. Murdock also was active, trying to knock the ball out every time he got near it. "Mr. Irrelevant" was making great plays on the field, and may be the youngest face of the middle of the defense.
Riser: CB Jahdae Barron
.@Officia1dae to the 🏡!
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 15, 2026
📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/2r6HDk2HDZ
Barron has been quiet in camp, largely overshadowed by the likes of Riley Moss. But when he got his chance, he sure made the most of it. Barron alertly caught a tipped pass (a hat tip to a diving Karene Reid) and raced back the other way to essentially put the game out of reach. Barron may get some more reps in the coming weeks after a play like that.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos stock watch: Risers and fallers from first preseason game