Denver Broncos kick off NFL preseason with win over Atlanta Falcons in Hall of Fame Game
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![Denver Broncos receivers Juwann Winfree (15), Kelvin McKnight (16) and Brendan Langley (12) celebrate Winfree's fourth quarter touchdown.]()
1 of 12![Denver Broncos tight end Austin Fort is tackled by Atlanta Falcons defensive back Parker Baldwin.]()
2 of 12![Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub throws a pass in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos.]()
3 of 12![Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kemal Ishmael (36) tackles Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant.]()
4 of 12![Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub (8) signals to teammates prior to a play against the Denver Broncos.]()
5 of 12![Denver Broncos quarterback Kevin Hogan looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons.]()
6 of 12![A Denver Broncos cheerleader performs during the Hall of Fame Game.]()
7 of 12![Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders dance during the Hall of Fame Game.]()
8 of 12![A Denver Broncos fan smiles before the Hall of Fame Game.]()
9 of 12![Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones makes a catch prior to the Hall of Fame Game against Denver Broncos at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.]()
10 of 12![Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a pass prior to the Hall of Fame Game against Denver Broncos at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.]()
11 of 12![Detailed view of NFL 100th anniversary logo on the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.]()
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CANTON, Ohio (AP) — For a while Thursday, Vic Fangio didn’t know if his long-awaited debut as a head coach would happen in the Hall of Fame game.
Fangio finished team meetings, then headed to a hospital because of a kidney stone. Though determined to lead his new team, the Denver Broncos, against Atlanta, “I didn’t know if I would make it.â€
He did, and he was made a winner thanks to a late rally.
Fangio, an NFL assistant coach for nearly two decades, saw a late interception set up rookie Juwann Winfree’s 15-yard touchdown catch, and his team edged the Falcons 14-10 to open the NFL’s preseason.
Yes, it was an exhibition game — the real first test comes Sept. 9 at Oakland. Still, Fangio was getting his chance to run a team. So this truly was a debut.
“Winning has cured more things than penicillin,†joked Fangio, who still had not passed the stone when he met with the media after the game. “Nobody is doing backflips and cartwheels like in the regular season.â€
Trey Johnson’s interception of Matt Schaub’s pass after the Atlanta backup quarterback was pressured set up Denver at the Falcons 38 with 5:21 remaining. A 14-yard pass interference call on fourth down against Rashard Causey kept Denver in it, but the Broncos were hurt by a holding penalty against rookie Ryan Crozier.
Unfazed, rookie Brett Rypien hurled a pass into the right corner of the end zone, where it was deflected and Winfree latched onto it with 1:26 remaining.
“Trey made a nice play at the end, and Winfree made an acrobatic catch,†Fangio said. “It’s always good to be here for this game. It’s always great to be around great ex-players and owners.â€
HALL OF FAME GAME: Didn’t take long for use of new NFL challenge rule
VIC FANGIO: Coach makes Broncos debut with unpassed kidney stone
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Fangio also became the first coach to utilize the new rule allowing challenges of pass interference calls. Late in the second quarter, Linden Stephens was called for a 43-yard defensive penalty. Officials upheld the call.
“I made a statement I’d be the first to throw the flag on defensive pass interference,†said Fangio, one of the premier defensive coordinators the league has seen.
Both teams had eight-play first-half drives for touchdowns. Denver’s was finished by Khalfani Muhammad’s 3-yard run up the middle. Atlanta tied it with a precise two-minute drill guided by first-year quarterback Kurt Benkert, who is seeking a backup job to Matt Ryan. Benkert took the Falcons 61 yards in 1:17, hitting running back Brian Hill with a 3-yard touchdown pass.
Benkert conducted another impressive series in the third period, going 56 yards in 12 plays to Giorgio Tavecchio’s 27-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.
Benkert headed to the locker room early in the fourth quarter with a toe injury. He went 19 of 34 for 185 yards.
Otherwise, it pretty much was a slopfest marred by dropped passes, penalties and missed assignments. Then again, how much can be expected in such an early preseason game?
CLASS OF 2019
The class of 2019 was introduced before the game and walked across the 50-yard line flanked by players from each team. The loudest cheers went to former Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, which was predictable considering all the orange-clad folks in the stands. Former Chiefs and Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez gestured and joshed with the Atlanta players as he strode through. Ed Reed, Ty Law, Kevin Mawae, Gil Brandt, Johnny Robinson and the family of late Broncos owner Pat Bowlen also received loud ovations from the crowd of 20,802.
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![Tony Gonzalez, tight end for Kansas City Chiefs (1997-2008) and Atlanta Falcons (2009-2013).]()
1 of 19![Tony Gonzalez was a six-time all-pro and made 14 pro bowls.]()
2 of 19![Tony Gonzalez retired with 1,325 catches for 15,127 yards and 111 touchdowns.]()
3 of 19![Ed Reed, safety for the Baltimore Ravens (2002-2012) and Houston Texans and New York Jets (2013).]()
4 of 19![Ed Reed was a five-time all-pro who made nine Pro Bowls. He was the defensive player of the year in 2004 and won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens. He retired with 64 career interceptions and 13 touchdowns.]()
5 of 19![Ed Reed is the NFL's career leader in interception return yardage (1,590), and had the two longest interception returns (107 and 106) in league history.]()
6 of 19![Champ Bailey, cornerback for the Washington Redskins (1999-2003) and Denver Broncos (2004-2013).]()
7 of 19![Champ Bailey, who was drafted by the Redskins before being traded to the Broncos, was a multi-time Pro Bowler at both stops. In all he played in 12 Pro Bowls and was named an all-pro three times.]()
8 of 19![Champ Bailey retired with 52 career interceptions.]()
9 of 19![Ty Law, cornerback for the New England Patriots (1995-2004), New York Jets (2005 and 2008), Kansas City Chiefs (2006-07) and Denver Broncos (2009).]()
10 of 19![Ty Law was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time all-pro who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. He retired with 53 career interceptions.]()
11 of 19![Kevin Mawae, offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks (1994-97), New York Jets (1998-2005) and Tennessee Titans (2006-09).]()
12 of 19![Kevin Mawae was an eight-time Pro Bowler who made the all-pro team three times.]()
13 of 19![Pat Bowlen, the longtime owner of the Denver Broncos, was named to the Hall in the contributor category. The Broncos went to the Super Bowl seven times under him.]()
14 of 19![Pat Bowlen hoisted three Lombardi Trophies as owner of the Denver Broncos.]()
15 of 19![Also going to the Hall as a contributor is former Dallas Cowboys vice president Gil Brandt. The Cowboys won two Super Bowls during his tenure.]()
16 of 19![Gil Brandt was vital in building the Dallas Cowboys from expansion team into one of the world's most famous sports franchises.]()
17 of 19![Johnny Robinson, making the tackle, made the Hall in the senior category. He was a defensive star with the Kansas City Chiefs franchise.]()
18 of 19![Johnny Robinson (shown here making a tackle on Mike Garrett) played 12 seasons for the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs. He had an interception in the Chiefs' win over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.]()
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LOCK IT UP
Drew Lock, Denver’s second-round draft pick and perhaps its quarterback of the future — Joe Flacco, acquired from Baltimore, if the starter but sat Thursday night — got plenty of action. He rarely impressed and finished 7 of 11 for 34 yards.
INJURIES
Falcons: Atlanta, which was ravaged by injuries last season, saw fourth-year DT Ra’Shede Hageman go down in the first quarter with a groin problem. Hageman has not played an NFL game since 2016. … WR Marcus Green left in the third period with a groin injury.
Broncos: Denver third-year LB Joe Jones hurt an arm in the second quarter and did not return.
Asked for further updates on injuries, Fangio smiled and concluded: “I am more concerned about my injury update.â€
NEXT UP:
Broncos: at Seattle on Thursday night.
Falcons: at Miami on Thursday night.
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![Aug. 1: New England Patriots wide receiver N'Keal Harry makes a catch.]()
1 of 42![Aug. 1: Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick takes a snap as he runs drills.]()
2 of 42![Aug. 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones catches a pass.]()
3 of 42![July 31: Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins passes the ball to wide receiver Jehu Chesson as cornerback Quinton Dunbar (23) defends.]()
4 of 42![July 30: Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson carries the ball during training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex.]()
5 of 42![July 30: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor throws the ball during training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex.]()
6 of 42![July 30: Los Angeles Rams linebacker Clay Matthews (52) during training camp at UC Irvine.]()
7 of 42![July 30: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marcus Johnson (16) goes through one-on-one drills against cornerback Rock Ya-Sin during training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus.]()
8 of 42![July 29: Dallas Cowboys fullback Ryan Yurachek carries the ball during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California.]()
9 of 42![July 28: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Alex Erickson runs a drill during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium.]()
10 of 42![July 28: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith catches a pass over defensive back Patrick Robinson during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.]()
11 of 42![July 28: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara runs the ball during training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center.]()
12 of 42![July 27: Bears receiver Taylor Gabriel is ready for his close-up during drills.]()
13 of 42![July 27: Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signs autographs after practice.]()
14 of 42![July 27: 49ers offensive linemen Joe Staley, right, and Justin Skule go through blocking drills.]()
15 of 42![July 26: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson snaps a picture with fans.]()
16 of 42![July 26: Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson makes a one-handed catch during drills.]()
17 of 42![July 26: Titans coach Mike Vrabel talks with cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during warm-ups.]()
18 of 42![July 26: Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson runs through drills.]()
19 of 42![July 25: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady warms up during the team's opening training camp session at Gillette Stadium.]()
20 of 42![July 25: New England Patriots tight end Ryan Izzo runs obstacles during the team's opening training camp session at Gillette Stadium.]()
21 of 42![July 25: Odell Beckham runs a drill during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training Complex.]()
22 of 42![July 25: A fan holds a sign during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training Complex.]()
23 of 42![July 25: Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field.]()
24 of 42![July 25: Green Bay Packers first-round draft pick Rashan Gary rides a bicycle to the first day of training camp at Ray Nitschke Field.]()
25 of 42![July 25: New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley carries the ball in drills in front of linebacker Oshane Ximines (53) during the first day of training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center.]()
26 of 42![July 25: Indianapolis Colts linebacker Ben Banogu goes through workout drills during training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus.]()
27 of 42![July 25: Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson drops back during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports]()
28 of 42![July 25: Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph defends against wide receiver Will Fuller (15) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center.]()
29 of 42![July 25: Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson performs a drill with defensive back Miles Killebrew (35) during training camp at the Detroit Lions Training Facility.]()
30 of 42![July 25: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers throws during individual drills at Jack Hammett Sports Complex.]()
31 of 42![July 25: Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver D.K. Metcalf fields a punt during training camp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.]()
32 of 42![July 25: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey plays with his daughter Breelyn on her first birthday after training camp at Dream Finders Home Practice Complex.]()
33 of 42![July 25: Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles looks to hand the ball off to running back Leonard Fournette during training camp at Dream Finders Home Practice Complex.]()
34 of 42![July 25: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center.]()
35 of 42![July 25: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Willie Snead IV (83) is defended by safety Earl Thomas III (29) during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center.]()
36 of 42![July 25: A construction worker watches from the rooftop of an adjacent building during Washington Redskins practice on day one of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.]()
37 of 42![July 25: Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) pass rushes against defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (99) during training camp at St. John Fisher College.]()
38 of 42![July 25: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Preston Williams during practice drills at Baptist Health Training Facility.]()
39 of 42![July 22: Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs against middle linebacker Duke Riley (42) during the first day of training camp.]()
40 of 42![July 18: Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during drills at the UCHealth Training Center.]()
41 of 42![July 18: Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller signs autographs following the first day of training camp at the UCHealth Training Center.]()
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