Five takeaways from the Broncos 22-14 loss to the Seahawks

 

If last Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game was the bread at the table, this Thursday night’s first official preseason game was a very solid artichoke dip.

It’s still merely an appetizer, but it was a bit tastier this week, as the Broncos flashed a bit of promise despite a 22-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Here are our main takeaways from the Broncos second preseason bout.

JOE COOL

In his first appearance as a Denver Bronco, new quarterback Joe Flacco was solid. In a small, one-drive tasting, Flacco was efficient, going 3-for-4 for 19 yards and leading the Broncos to a field goal drive. A drive that could have been a touchdown drive if not for uber-conservative play-calling inside the 10-yard line.

It wasn’t anything that’ll blow you away, but it was nice to see Denver move the ball with their first-team offense. Especially considering they were without Emmanuel Sanders, the team’s offensive catalyst, as far as training camp has shown us.

In their only drive of the game, the Broncos went 78 yards on 12 plays on their way to that field goal, and Flacco appeared to be in control the entire way.

A solid debut.

PAXTON’S REVENGE

The stats are rough.

After taking a shot a the team’s culture, former Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch had a nice game, going 11-for-15 for 119 yards and a touchdown, to go along with four rushes for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Here’s the thing, though, Paxton Lynch is a fourth-year player, who spent most of his night going against third and fourth-string players. He should have his way with that defense, and he did.

It’s good for Paxton, and it shows he has developed a little bit in Seattle, but anyone saying the Broncos moved on from him too soon is simply wrong.

LOCK’S ROLLERCOASTER

Well, we certainly got the full rookie quarterback experience on Thursday night from the Broncos projected QB of the future.

On his way to a final line of 17-for-28 for 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception, Lock showed us exactly why the Broncos drafted him, and exactly why he’s far from ready to start in the NFL.

To start with the bad news, there were moments where he forced things, including the interception, a play in which he tried to get the ball to the sideline with pressure in his face, leading to a weak throw and an easy pick. The young quarterback also had a couple of almost picks in similar plays where he faced pressure and tried to force it. Learning when to throw it away is a skill in itself.

On the flip side, Lock really flashed his talent. The first play in which we saw the Lock luster was on a third-and-long, where, on an out route, Lock put the ball in such a perfect spot for tight end Troy Fumagalli that before ‘Fum’ even knew the ball was coming, it was in his hands. A mind-blowing throw, in all honesty.

Later, in a four-play series, Lock threw a perfect ball to Trinity Benson on the sideline, a touchdown to Devontae Jackson on an easy dump off, and converted a two-point conversion with an absolute laser in between three Seahawks and into the hands of Juwann Winfree.

“I just thought he threw the ball pretty damn well,” said head coach Vic Fangio after the game. “I thought he’s made progress this week—both in practice and in the game and I think it showed at times out there. But you know, it’s still a process for him, and I don’t know how long it’s going to take, but I think this past week and this past game were great for him.”

Right in that quote is the most important thing about Drew Lock’s performance, despite the momentary struggles, he looked far more comfortable than he did last week.

Progress.

FIRST-TEAM STRONG

In addition to Flacco getting some good work in, the Broncos first-team defense got a chance to strut their stuff as well, allowing just one first down over the course of their two drives on the field.

While the Seahawks refrained from playing many of their starters, the Fangio defense certainly passed its first test.

Through two weeks of the preseason, both the Broncos first and second-team defenses look very stout.

FLAG FEST

When Vic Fangio got to Denver, he highlighted the fact that the Broncos were one of the most penalized teams in the league last season, and vowed to fix the problem.

While it’s still early, the team still seems to have an issue with drawing flags.

On the night, the Broncos drew 15 flags, with 11 being enforced for a total of 94 yards.

“Penalties happen either because you have poor technique or you’re not good enough,” Fangio said after the game. “Either one, you have to cheat, you have to grab guys, you have to hold them. We have to make these guys aware of the proper technique, and hopefully, they’re good enough to play honest downs without fouling.”

Penalties killed the Broncos in 2018; they simply have to get it figured out in 2019.

OTHER NOTES

• In his first game back from a wrist injury, Phillip Lindsay made multiple plays, including a run in which he went the wrong way on the handoff and still turned it into a first down.
• After a strong performance last week, Malik Reed doubled down in Week 2, notching another sack.
• De’Vante Bausby had multiple pass breakups during his time with the first and second team.
• The play of the day for the Broncos came on 3rd-and-1 early in the game, where Royce Freeman burst through a Dalton Risner-opened hole and bit off 50 yards.
• Kevin Hogan went 3-for-7 in the game, but had three more balls dropped, getting his dropped-ball total to five on the preseason. Perhaps the fact that both Lock and Flacco throw so hard is throwing off the receivers when they work with Hogan.
• Both Andy Janovich (pectoral) and Austin Fort (knee) left the game with injuries; both will have MRIs when the team arrives in Denver.