For the Broncos, starting quarterback Bo Nix is not expected to play, leaving Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger to handle quarterback duties for the entire game. Stidham is expected to serve as the backup quarterback. Even if Ehlinger receives the majority of the work against Minnesota, it could simply be Denver allowing him to audition for another team.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared that several players will be inactive for the game, noting that it remains undetermined who will start at quarterback among J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. O’Connell is hopeful McCarthy can get more reps, though he did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle issue suffered last weekend against Baltimore.

Vikings quarterback preseason performance

It has not been a good preseason for McCarthy, who has completed 52.9% of his passes—the lowest mark among the four Minnesota quarterbacks—for 115 yards.

Wentz, on the other hand, has been by far the most efficient quarterback over the last two games. He leads the team in completion rate (72%) and passing yards (173), while standing as the only quarterback on the squad to throw a touchdown.

Last season, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, adding 181 rushing yards and four touchdowns across 10 games. While he posted a 6-4 record on the season, he faced a ton of criticism for his performance earlier in the year.

Expectations for Denver’s quarterbacks

If Ehlinger does not end up on the active roster as the third-string quarterback, he will presumably be a top target for Denver’s practice squad. Following a disastrous showing in the NFL AFC Championship Game—where he was thrust into action after Nix broke his ankle in January—Stidham was a player many Broncos fans wanted to see replaced. The announcement that he would have to win a competition against Ehlinger to hold onto his job was met with excitement from Broncos Country.

However, if this ever was a one-on-one competition, Stidham likely ended those talks with a sharp performance against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason opener. He demonstrated terrific command of the offense, completing 9 of 15 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown pass.

How to watch Broncos vs Vikings in the USA

The Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings preseason finale will be televised nationally on NFL Network. For viewers who prefer streaming, Fubo and NFL+ offers live coverage of nationally televised preseason games.

Can I watch Broncos vs Vikings for free?

Yes, eligible new Fubo subscribers can use its 5-day free trial to watch Broncos vs. Vikings. It offers a five-day trial, and its NFL Network page lists the channel as available through the service with a free-trial option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Denver and Minnesota are both using the matchup as the last major evaluation opportunity before the league’s roster cutdown deadline, with coaches needing to make decisions on players fighting for the final spots on the 53-man roster. Denver’s official site confirms that the game is the team’s preseason finale, just two days before the deadline.

For the Broncos, one of the biggest storylines is who can separate themselves in the depth chart. Head coach Sean Payton said Bo Nix probably will not play, meaning the quarterback workload should fall primarily to Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger.

Nix has only appeared in one preseason game, completing 6 of 9 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, so Denver is prioritizing his preparation for the regular season rather than exposing him to unnecessary preseason snaps.

Minnesota are approaching the game with a similar philosophy. The Vikings enter the finale after a 13-3 loss to Baltimore in which reserves received extensive playing time, and the organization has continued evaluating players across the roster rather than treating the preseason results as the primary objective.

What time is the Broncos vs Vikings match?

The Broncos vs. Vikings game kicks off on Friday, August 28, at 9:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, with the local kickoff set for 7:00 PM Mountain Time.

• Eastern Time: 9:00 PM
• Central Time: 8:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 7:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

Per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports, Reid said, “He’s doing great… literally taking it day-by-day. If trainers, doctors, and everybody give him the OK… and he feels OK…“ All in all, it looks like a positive for the team.

Basically, if there is no setback, Mahomes will play vs. Broncos in Week 1. Mahomes tore his ACL on December 14, 2025, during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs were having a bad season, but the injury relegated them to miss the playoffs.

The Chiefs’ record without Mahomes

Mahomes became the starter in 2018, and since then, he’s been usually available and making magic for the Chiefs. However, since he got the job, the Chiefs rely too much in him. From 2018 to 2025, the Chiefs are 2-6 when Mahomes doesn’t start or play for the team.

The Chiefs brought Justin Fields and drafted Garrett Nussmeier to have reliable backups if Mahomes suffers a setback or reinjures himself. However, at least for the moment, Mahomes will be available to start the season.

What is Mahomes’ record vs Broncos?

The Chiefs really hope Mahomes can suit up and play vs. the Broncos because he has dominated this team at will since entering the NFL. In fact, Mahomes has a 13-2 record vs. Broncos which is high-rate efficiency.

Him, alongside RJ Harvey, are a great duo off the backfield. However, Dobbins has a long history of injuries that have hampered his career.

Dobbins suffered a soft tissue injury earlier in camp. However he’s recently stated that he “feels great” now that he is back in action.

Dobbins 2025 stats showed promise

Dobbins had 153 rushes for 772 and four touchdowns in 2025 in just 10 games before suffering a season-ending injury. The former Ohio State running back was averaging a staggering 5.0 yds/attempt.

Despite suffering plenty of injuries in his career, Dobbins is still productive when on the field.

Why are Dobbins and Harvey a great RB duo?

Denver Broncos running backs JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey form an effective backfield committee by blending veteran toughness and physical inside rushing with explosive versatility and a strong receiving presence.

Dobbins provides strong tackle-breaking ability and thrives against heavy, stacked defensive fronts. Harvey brings dynamic speed and decisive play-making to the edge and open field.

How to watch Broncos vs Packers in the USA

The Broncos vs. Packers preseason game will be broadcast live on NFL Network in the United States. For viewers who prefer to stream the game, NFL+ and Fubo are two official options.

Can I watch Broncos vs Packers for free?

Eligible new Fubo customers can watch Broncos vs. Packers through the free trial. It currently offers a free trial of up to five days, and its official listing confirms that the preseason matchup will be available through the service.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL Preseason, with both teams using the matchup to evaluate their rosters and build toward the regular season. Denver enters after a convincing 27-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, while Green Bay is looking to respond after a 28-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in its preseason opener.

For the Broncos, the biggest storyline is the continued return of Bo Nix, who missed the end of last season with an ankle injury but has reported feeling fully healthy during training camp. Denver will also continue assessing its offensive chemistry and depth after an impressive first preseason outing.

Green Bay has more questions surrounding its personnel heading into the second preseason game. Jordan Love played only five passing plays against Pittsburgh, completing three of five attempts for 18 yards, while several players — including Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave — were sidelined by injuries. Jacobs has since returned to practice, making his availability one of the key situations to monitor in Denver.

What time is the Broncos vs Packers match?

The game kicks off on Friday, August 21, at 9:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 9:00 PM
• Central Time: 8:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 7:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

Per the Broncos PR team, Bo Nix will make his preseason debut vs Packers. As expected, Sean Payton said Nix will play around 14 snaps against Green Bay. “It’s always a blast to play at home,” Nix said on Tuesday’s press conference.

Friday’s game is the first time quarterback Bo Nix will hear play calls from new offensive coordinator Davis Webb during a live match scenario. Hence, even if just for 14 snaps, this could be a sign of things to come, for good or bad.

Is Jordan Love playing for Packers vs Broncos?

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said earlier this week the plan is for the starters, including quarterback Jordan Love, to play Friday night against the Broncos. It is clear that the starters won’t play much, but they’re also changing stuff in the coaching staff. For instance, Sean Mannion left his QB coach role to become the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.

As for Love, the playcaller is still LaFleur, so he should be in a known environment in that regard. Still, preseason is to get into competing rhythm, not to go all out. The main goal here is to leave healthy.

Nix and Love need to show they can lift the ceiling

Both the Broncos and Packers know they have upside quarterbacks on their rosters. However, they are not regarded as top-tier, elite signal-callers. It’s now up to both Nix and Love to guide the rosters to the promised land.

In the case of Nix, he has a stacked roster to join him. Meanwhile, Love has a bit lesser receiving corp, but the Packers are still regarded as an NFC contender, and Love is tasked with guiding them all the way.

The pass rusher had to be restrained by his teammates after becoming frustrated when his own quarterback grabbed him by the leg. Nix, who should be protected more carefully during practice, took a sack. Sean Payton’s team had an intense session, but the QB played down the incident.

“I love it. It’s football,” Nix said to the press. “It’s getting me ready for the games coming up. It’s a physical practice played by physical people. So it got intense and we were really enjoying it, and sometimes in the dog days of summer, practice gets long and the intensity gets high.”

Time to protect Nix

Intensity is necessary during practice, especially at this stage of the preseason. However, there is no need to put players’ health at risk, especially when it comes to the team’s biggest stars.

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was far from pleased with what happened during the latest practice. “We don’t want anyone near Bo,” the DC said regarding the altercation.

Broncos’ upcoming games

Bo Nix is expected to see game action during this stretch of preparation, with the Broncos having two interesting games ahead before the start of the regular season. On Friday, August 21, they will host the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field before wrapping up their preseason at home against the Minnesota Vikings on August 28.

This team’s Week 1 opener will be a high-profile matchup. They will visit Arrowhead on September 14, where they will face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The former Miami Dolphins quarterback completed three of his five passes for 22 yards during his limited action. Atlanta failed to generate points on either of Tagovailoa’s two possessions, punting on both drives. Following the loss, Tagovailoa acknowledged that his performance fell well short of expectations, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

“Definitely not up to standard, not even up to par. Start with the first drive, second play, just being able to catch the snap. Little things like that,” Tagovailoa said. “What we put out there is not a reflection of the hard work that we’ve put in the first two weeks of training camp, and it does no justice to the work our coaches have implemented. It starts with me. I’ve got to be better with that.”

Tua takes responsibility for the loss

Tagovailoa joined Atlanta this offseason following his departure from Miami, giving the 28-year-old quarterback a fresh start after six seasons with the Dolphins. His first game with Atlanta yielded mixed results, as the offense struggled to find its rhythm against Denver.

Despite the limited number of snaps, Tagovailoa placed responsibility for the offensive struggles on himself. “It starts with me,” Tagovailoa said. “I’ve got to be better. That’s it. . . . I’ve got to be better for our guys.”

Tagovailoa’s time on the field against Denver was short, but he showed signs of his production. He completed three out of five passes for 22 yards before Cooper Rush and Jack Strand took over quarterback duties for the remainder of the game.

Tua’s competition under center

Cooper Rush and Jack Strand both attempted more passes than Tagovailoa. Rush completed seven out of 19 passes for 62 yards and two interceptions. Strand was successful on six out of 12 throws for 50 yards while scoring a rushing touchdown. Still, Tagovailoa clearly has much more to give moving forward.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, Nix will not take the field. Quarterback Bo Nix will not play in the Denver Broncos preseason opener at Atlanta, coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham will each play a half against the Falcons on Friday night.

Nix is coming off two right ankle surgeries in the offseason but did not miss any snaps at training camp. Payton said he will play when the Broncos host the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 21 and again a week later against the Minnesota Vikings.

Waiting to see Nix

Payton said the decision to sit Nix has nothing to do with the rash of injuries on the offensive line, particularly at center, where the team has had three players get hurt, including Michael Deiter, whom Payton said is out for the season with a quadriceps injury. Starting center Luke Wattenberg (arm) and backup Alex Forsyth (ankle) are also sidelined.

Payton said the decision to sit Nix in the preseason opener was made a month ago, but that if this were the regular season, he would expect Nix to play and be 100%. The Broncos’ other starters are expected to suit up for about 15 plays.

What happened to Nix?

Nix suffered a fractured right ankle in the closing minutes of the Broncos’ AFC divisional-round playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in January, had an initial surgery to repair the fracture in the days following the game, and then had a follow-up surgery in April to treat bone spurs in the same ankle.

He missed most of the on-field work in the Broncos’ offseason program and threw on only a limited basis in their mandatory minicamp in June. Nix faces pressure this NFL season. During his rookie season in 2024, Nix played in 17 games. He completed 66.3% of his pass attempts for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while also running for 430 yards and four more scores.

Last season, the 26-year-old quarterback threw for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while completing 63.4% of his passes. He also chipped in with 356 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Signs point to the Falcons fielding their starters, meaning Tagovailoa is expected to play against the Broncos as the starting quarterback. The former Miami Dolphins starter, who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta, has a clear path to the starting job as long as Penix is limited to individual work and 7-on-7 drills in practice.

Cooper Rush, who was signed at the start of training camp to give the team another veteran at quarterback, will play behind Tagovailoa. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand will finish the game.

What to expect from Tua in his debut

Since he will likely play just one series, Tagovailoa might feel he has to do something spectacular in his limited time. However, that mindset could put the ball in danger and ultimately lead to a turnover.

Instead of trying to force things, he needs to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he understands and commands the offense. Showing poise under pressure, staying comfortable directing the game, and building confidence with both his coaches and teammates will be key.

Preseason games must be taken with caution, but Tagovailoa and the first team will likely have the opportunity to face off against some starters. It is a first test for Tagovailoa with the Falcons, but not one where he needs to lead a touchdown drive or deliver highlight-reel passes.

Tagovailoa must capitalize on the opportunity

Tagovailoa needs to display poise and protect the football while putting his best foot forward, especially given the tough competition for the starting spot. He must take advantage now while Penix is unavailable, so expect to see a committed Tagovailoa working to adapt to his new NFL team.

How to watch Falcons vs Broncos in the USA

The Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos preseason game will be available on NBC on Friday. For streaming, fans can watch the game through NFL+ and ESPN Unlimited, while Fubo also carries the broadcast.

Can I watch Falcons vs Broncos for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free-trial option that can be used to watch the game. It lists the matchup in its NFL programming and allows eligible new subscribers to start a free trial, although availability and trial terms can vary by plan and location.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos preseason opener gives Atlanta an early chance to evaluate its new quarterback situation, with Tua Tagovailoa set to start against Denver.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that the veteran will play roughly 10 snaps, but the decision does not make him the Falcons’ permanent QB1. Michael Penix Jr. remains in the competition while recovering from a torn ACL and has not yet been cleared for full-team work.

Denver will take a more cautious approach with Bo Nix, who will not play in the opener. Sean Payton decided to keep his starting quarterback on the sideline despite Nix being healthy and practicing without limitations, with the Broncos instead expected to give Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger significant opportunities. The Broncos’ other starters are expected to play around 10-15 snaps.

That makes the game particularly important for players competing for roster spots and depth-chart positions. Atlanta has several battles to monitor, including QB3, RB3, WR5/6, center, inside linebacker and cornerback, while Denver will use the preseason opener to evaluate its depth and young players as it works toward its final 53-man roster.

What time is the Falcons vs Broncos match?

The Falcons vs. Broncos game kicks off Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM