The first Denver Broncos preseason game is here. Friday August 11th, 2023 at 10:00 pm on NFL Network. The Denver Broncos will be playing the Arizona Cardinals. The game will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Both teams will want to get off to a good start to the preseason. Both rosters will be looking to prove themselves to their coaches. The first depth charts are being released, but nothing is set in stone. Many players will find themselves cut by the end of the preseason. Here is their first chance to exhibit their skills against a live opponent. The first Denver Broncos preseason game is set to begin. Here’s what to look for and what to expect.
Preseason Game Preview: Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals
Keys to Watch: Denver Broncos
The Broncos will look to rebound from their difficult 2022 season right away. That first opportunity comes in their first preseason game of 2023. With training camp in full swing, the Broncos players have each been attempting to improve. None more so than quarterback Russell Wilson, who will play in the first Denver Broncos preseason game. Coach Sean Payton has made it clear that he wants his starters to play. He also wants less distractions on the sidelines during the preseason games. This mindset is different from that of Nathaniel Hackett, the Broncos coach last season. Denver will try to keep focused on and off the field this Friday.
Players to Watch: Denver Broncos
Wilson will be the top player to watch this week and every week. He will attempt to put last season behind him, with the help of a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator. The Broncos success hinges on Wilson and his finding the groove that made him a star in Seattle. Meanwhile, the rest of the offense will look to step up and help. With two wide receivers injured in camp, the other wideouts will step up to fill the gaps. With running back Javonte Williams coming back from injury, the other backs will have larger roles. An improved offensive line and defensive pass rush should help this team immediately. The top rookies to watch are wide receiver Marvin Mims, linebacker Drew Sanders, and running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Rookie cornerback Riley Moss will miss about a month with a abdominal muscle injury.
Keys to Watch: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have a new lead coaching staff this season. Head coach Jonathan Gannon was the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles last season. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing was the quarterbacks coach of the Cleveland Browns. And defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was the linebackers coach of the Eagles, under coach Gannon. All three coaches are rookies at their positions, and will have to learn their jobs quickly. The Cardinals went 4-13 last season, with major problems on all sides of the ball. The coaching must turn this team around quickly, with the regular season only a month away.
Players to Watch: Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback Kyler Murray won’t play in this preseason game. He is recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season, and is hoping to make it back by Week 1 in 2023. Instead, we will see veteran Colt McCoy and rookie Clayton Tune starting at quarterback. The wide receiver corps will look different this year, with the losses of DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, and Chosen Anderson. New to the receiver group are veteran Zach Pascal and rookie Michael Wilson. Arizona lost two excellent defense linemen as well, ends J.J. Watt and Zach Allen, so this defense, with Philadelphia coaches now running the show, will have to prove themselves. The top rookies to watch are offensive tackle Paris Johnson, linebacker B.J. Ojulari, and cornerback Garrett Williams. Ojulari and Williams are both coming off injuries and may be held out.
Main Photo: Ron Chenoy – USA Today Sports
