The NFL preseason kicks off Thursday night with the Hall of Fame Game from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The event, which is held the same weekend as the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, features the Atlanta Falcons out of the NFC South and the Denver Broncos out of the AFC West. It’s the fourth time both teams have played in the Hall of Fame Game, which has become an annual tradition dating back to 1962. Both teams are 1-2 in their careers in Canton.
NFL: Falcons vs Broncos
- When: Thursday, August 1
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
The Denver Broncos missed the playoffs last season with a 6-10 record, but the team has a new head coach at the helm as well as a new leader under center. Defensive-minded Vic Mangio will try and turn the tides for Denver on that side of the ball. Mangio will have to do so without last year’s leading tackler, linebacker Brandon Marshall, who was traded to the Oakland Raiders.
Offensively, it’s a new look as well with former longtime Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco making the trek to the Mile High City. Don’t expect to see Flacco under center Thursday night. Mangio has said that a majority of the starters, including Flacco and starting wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, will have the night off. Kevin Hogan will get the start, but it is also an excellent opportunity for second-round pick Drew Lock out of Missouri. First-round pick Noah Fant, a tight end out of Iowa, is also looking to move up the depth chart. Running back Phillip Lindsay, who missed part of last season with an injury, returned to practice this week. His health could be a key factor in Denver’s success this season.
The Atlanta Falcons are also a team that would love to make the playoffs this year after missing out last season by tallying a 7-9 record. Star wideout Julio Jones has been vocal the last several weeks about his disdain for the preseason. Jones, who is in contract negotiations with the Falcons, has insisted he will not play until week one of the season at the earliest. Quarterback Matt Ryan has plenty of deep threats and speedy wide receivers at his disposal, including Calvin Ridley. Ridley hauled in 64 passes for 821 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, a franchise rookie record.
Defensively, Desmond Trufant will patrol the secondary and look to continue where he left off. Vic Beasley, a defensive end and anchor for the Falcons, has posted back-to-back five sack seasons and would like nothing more than to hit double digits this season.
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