The Denver Broncos finished up preseason game No. 4 losing to the Los Angeles Rams 10-6 on Saturday night.
Several Broncos sat out the game including most of the starters on both offense and defense. With the Rams also under the same strategy, the ‘dress rehearsal’ game didn’t exactly have the same feel it’s usually had in previous years as teams opt for health over reps.
However, several Broncos remain in limbo to make the roster and some shined, while others faltered.
Thumbs Up
While many believe it may be ‘too little, too late’ for Butt to make the Broncos roster, the often-injured tight-end was finally in action for Denver and looked sharp. A scary moment early in the game featured Butt limping off the field, but overall, Butt went back out and finished with two receptions for 17 yards.
- Brandon McManus
The kicker for the Broncos continues to be the biggest output of offense for Denver. Take that as you’d like, but the Broncos kicker has been deadly accurate, to say the least. 7/7 so far in preseason on field goals and very good in training camp. Denver expected to bring back one of the best kickers in the league and it appears McManus remains exactly that.
- Justin Hollins
The rookie linebacker out of Oregon led the Broncos in tackles with eight total while also recording a TFL. Hollins was a presence for the Broncos who are thin at linebacker and made a big fourth-and-one stop in the red zone.
Hollins was a constant presence in the backfield for the Broncos disrupting quarterbacks off their spot and nearly recorded a sack on multiple plays. While it never registered on the box score, Hollins had an impressive game for Denver.
- Clean Football
The Denver Broncos have been penalized quite frequently by officials in the previous two preseason games against San Francisco and Seattle. Denver played relatively clean football being penalized six times for 46 yards, which is an improvement from the 9-times against the 49ers and 11-times against Seattle.
Thumbs Down
- Josh Watson
Former Colorado State linebacker was once again for the second week caught off of position at times. Watson had a strong July in training camp but has since struggled at times. Denver is in need of depth at linebacker due to injuries, but Watson’s overall training camp and preseason is trending downward as of late.
Wadman had a shaky day punting for the Broncos. Wadman’s 43.3 average was the lowest of his preseason this year for Denver and shanked a 20-yard punt against the Rams.
It constantly baffles me that Denver can't find a punter who can't kick at altitude. Of all #NFL teams, Denver should sign one punter and be done for ten years. See their kicker situation.
Wadman isn't cutting it. And if McMahon is going to live-or-die with his guy? 🤔
— Ron (@RonnieKRadio) August 25, 2019
Quarterback Play
Both Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien were underwhelming, to say the least. Denver didn’t see the end zone and the duo combined for 140 passing yards on 22 completions for a 60.3 quarterback rating.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio told the media after Saturday night's game both Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien needed to do more at quarterback, even offering that he "thought our protection for the most part was good'' and that "six points isn’t enough.''
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) August 25, 2019