RENTON, Wash. – The start of the regular season in the NFL always presents uncertainty. The vast majority of teams haven’t played their starters much in exhibition play and dialed up vanilla schemes when they did see the field, making Week 1 a battle of adjustments moreso than any other game on the schedule.
Set to make his regular season debut as a first-time head coach for the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, Mike Macdonald understands there’s little to go off of preparing for the Denver Broncos, especially with a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix making his NFL debut at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon. Both teams will have to rely on their bread and butter concepts on offense and defense, switching things up as the game unfolds with little intel to game plan off of.
“Beginning of the season is tough because everyone has an idea about who they are, what they want to be, and the type of plays that they want to hang their hat on, schematically, how they want to use their personnel,” Macdonald explained on Wednesday prior to practice. “So, you don’t have that sample size this time of year. You really just have to focus on executing your stuff the best you possibly can and make them beat you throwing your fastball. That’s been the message to the guys. We’re going to be running our stuff from now until whenever. It’s hard to kind of pick and choose and tailor it to how they’ve operated because the sample is just not there.”
If there’s something Macdonald and his staff can reference devising a strategy for Sunday, the former Ravens defensive coordinator and long-time assistant has faced Broncos coach Sean Payton several times in the past, including when he served as Saints head coach for more than a decade. With plenty of familiarity of his success over the years, there’s a mutual respect between the two coaches.
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With a new quarterback under center in Nix who brings his own unique skill set to the table, Macdonald doesn’t expect Denver’s offense to be a carbon copy to what he did in New Orleans with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees under center. At the same time, while Seattle must account for the rookie’s dual threat capabilities and quick release, Payton won’t completely reinvent the wheel either and the team will be taking a close look at how his scheme has functioned over the years and the concepts he has leaned heavily on.
“I think it’s a sliding scale so to speak on how much you factor in all the things. This system is Sean’s system. It seems like they’ve been really successful with it for such a long time. Bo [Nix] seems like he’s a great fit for what they’re asking him to do, which is a little bit different than some stuff. Some of those things might carry over, how he operates, things like that. His strength will definitely transfer from college to the pros, but I wouldn’t put too much stock into it. We got a lot of respect for him as a player but we’re also defending the plays that Sean’s been running for years.”
Aiming to get off to a quick start to open the Macdonald era, here’s a closer look at the Seahawks well-coached Week 1 opponent, including series history, additions/departures, a deep dive into scheme, and Macdonald’s evaluation of the new-look Broncos.
56th regular season meeting. The Broncos hold a commanding 35-20 all-time regular season record over the Seahawks dating back to several decades as AFC West rivals. However, Seattle has gotten the last laugh in the postseason, including a dominant 43-8 win over Denver in Super Bowl XLVIII. Most recently, the Seahawks edged the Broncos 17-16 in the 2022 season opener in Wilson’s homecoming game and the Broncos won a 27-24 decision at Mile High Stadium in 2018.
Departures: Absorbing a massive $53 million dead cap hit in 2024, the Broncos moved on from former Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson in March, releasing him after two disappointing seasons under center to start anew at the most important position in pro sports. Dealing with major salary cap issues as a result, the team also cut perennial All-Pro safety Justin Simmons in a financials-driven transaction, creating a major void in the secondary. Unhappy with his production as a former first-round pick, the team traded receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Browns for a pair of 2024 draft picks in March. Former starting linebacker Josey Jewell and center Lloyd Cushenberry bolted in free agency as well, signing with the Panthers and Titans respectively.
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Additions: Quickly finding a successor for Wilson, Denver invested its 12th overall pick in Nix, who earned a spot as a Heisman finalist after a spectacular final season at Oregon. Additionally, the team invested a fourth-round pick in Oregon receiver Troy Franklin, teaming him back up with Nix, to go with pass rusher Jonah Ellis in the third round. Replacing Simmons in the secondary, the Broncos signed former Dolphins starter Brandon Jones in free agency, plugging him alongside P.J. Locke at the safety spots. The team also replaced Jewell with ex-Seahawks starter Cody Barton, who spent last season with the Commanders and will now start next to Alex Singleton, along with adding veteran defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, who previously played for Payton in New Orleans.
The Broncos didn’t have a single player listed on their injury report on Wednesday with the team fully healthy going into the regular season.
Sticking to status quo from his time in New Orleans, Payton continued to run a variety of personnel groupings in his first season at the helm in Denver. Last season, the Broncos deployed 11 personnel with three receivers, one running back, and one tight end at a 55 percent clip, which ranked 25th in the NFL according to Sumer Sports charting. However, they ranked in the top 10 in 21 personnel usage, utilizing multi-back formations nearly 10 percent of the time. They also used 12 personnel with multiple tight ends nearly 20 percent of their offensive snaps, ranking in the middle of the league.
In the run game department, per Pro Football Focus, the Broncos utilized zone concepts 56 percent of the time (192 plays), matching up with Payton’s history of preferring a zone-centric rushing attack. Interestingly, after years of being one of the best play action passers in the NFL, Wilson only ran play fakes on 22.6 percent of his drop backs last season, which ranked 16th out of 28 qualified quarterbacks, but did throw 11 touchdowns and only one pick on those plays.
One of the NFL’s most aggressive defensive coordinators, per Pro Football Reference, Vance Joseph dialed up blitzes with at least five rushers coming for the quarterback on 35 percent of Denver’s snaps last season, which ranked fifth in the league. The penchant for blitzing didn’t help generate heat on quarterbacks consistently, however, as the Broncos finished 29th in pressure rate (18.2 percent) and 30th in hurry rate (4.4 percent).
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In coverage, while relying much of the time on 4-2-5 personnel, Joseph continued a long track record of preferring single-high, middle of field closed concepts, as the Broncos ranked sixth in Cover 3 usage (40.6 percent) and also used Cover 1 with man underneath 21 percent of their defensive snaps. Few teams did a better job of mixing up looks pre and post-snap with Denver finishing fifth among NFL teams with a 30.7 percent disguise rate.
-On if he expects Denver to run the ball more with a rookie quarterback under center: “I don’t have all the run percentages and pass percentages. It’s more like types of plays you have to defend. They’re smart coaches, they got a great scheme, he’s a really good player. We expect them to do the things that Bo does well. Keep the ball moving, try to create some explosive plays, be successful in the red zone. I think these guys do a really good job of that.”
-On the hallmarks of a Sean Payton-led offense: “He’s going to play everybody. They do a great job of playing all their guys, there’s a lot of different personnel groups. Run and pass are complementary. The drop back game I think is consistent for the quarterback but they can create explosives that way too. They get the ball to their playmakers. It’s a tried and true system. They’ve done it really well for a long time.”
-On what makes Bo Nix a great fit for Payton’s system: “He plays on time, he seems like he makes a lot of fast decisions. Kind of like Drew [Brees] was, he’s an underrated athlete. Just being able to move in the pocket, extend plays, it seems like he’s really accurate. I think he has probably an underrated arm, he can deliver the ball just about anywhere. I think the decision making, how fast he plays is probably one of the things they like about him.”
For the second time in three seasons, the Seattle Seahawks handed the Denver Broncos their first loss to start the regular season, emerging victorious on Sunday, 26-20. The first loss of the Bo Nix era continues a streak of Seahawks dominance, as the Broncos haven’t earned a victory in Seattle since 2002.
Denver’s defense dominated the first half of action, flustering quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense with dynamic pass rushes and defensive line penetration that earned the Broncos four points on two safeties. But what looked to be a long day for the raucous crowd of Seahawks faithful quickly turned due to a Broncos anemic offense that scored just one touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
I picked the Broncos to upset the Seahawks (27-24) in a close game against a hostile fan base on the road. But the most frustrating aspect of this loss isn’t the fact that I was wrong in my prediction or that the Broncos started the year with another loss.
Instead, it’s that Broncos Country is forced to lament what should’ve been a very winnable game for Sean Payton’s squad.
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With that said, let’s rip off the band-aid and get to three sad but true takeaways from the Broncos’ first loss.
The first chapter in the Nix-Payton novel begins with an embarrassing road loss. Denver’s dynamic duo was quickly humbled by Seahawks first-year head coach Mike Macdonald’s smothering defense, which put the Broncos on notice, illustrating the difference between preseason and regular season NFL action.
As a rookie team captain, Nix looked largely out of place for most of the game as he finished the contest 26-of-42 for 138 yards and two interceptions, with 35 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. He faced a barrage of pressure, taking two sacks, enduring multiple hits, and looking bothered and frustrated.
The Broncos offense continually stalled despite prime field position and was outmatched in virtually every statistical category, including total net yards, first downs, third-down efficiency, and penalties.
Payton did his rookie QB1 no favors in this game. The veteran play-caller abandoned his ineffective rushing attack early with his three-headed stable of Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime. Denver finished the game with 99 yards rushing on 25 attempts, but those stats were padded by Nix’s five rushes and a drive that resulted in his four-yard scoring scramble in the fourth quarter.
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The most alarming aspect of Denver’s disappointing offense was that it felt eerily similar to the 2023 season, where Payton would panic and strictly throw the football. By waving the white flag on the most critical principle of Payton’s offense, which is running the football, opposing defenders will continue to tee off on the Broncos’ rookie QB, putting Nix in the unsettling position of playing hero ball.
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Linebacker Alex Singleton picked off Geno Smith on Seattle’s opening drive. Usually, when a road team’s defense starts the game with a series of QB pressures that force an interception, it’s a sign of good things to come. That should be doubly true when the Broncos defense outscores its own offense with a pair of safeties in the first half against a Seahawks offense that was reeling under Smith.
Instead, Vance Joseph’s defense left fans with more questions than answers. The box score will show two sacks logged on Smith, both by outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, who played extremely well off the edge. The Broncos interior D-line — John Franklin-Myers, Zach Allen, and Malcolm Roach — lived in Seattle’s backfield during the first two quarters, posting a productive stat line.
But as fast as Denver’s pass rushers pummeled Seattle in the first half, they crumbled after halftime, and succumbed to one of Joseph’s biggest flaws: a porous and pathetic run defense. Joseph’s defense allowed Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III to average 5.2 yards per carry at will as their rushing attack gashed Denver’s defense to the tune of 33 attempts for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
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Additionally, Smith found a rhythm by dissecting Denver’s secondary with 171 passing yards, including a touchdown to running back Zach Charbonnet that allowed Seattle to dismantle and take over the game coming out of Denver’s 13-9 lead at halftime.
Team apologists may argue that Joseph’s defense held its own by limiting the Seahawks’ formidable wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Locket to nine combined catches for 106 yards. However, statistics don’t count in a game of wins and losses where ‘VJ’ has again proven that he struggles to make in-game adjustments after finding success early.
When Payton was asked about the Broncos’ first half of offense coming out of halftime, he explained from the sideline that Nix couldn’t do it all by himself and that he needed some help. That help would never come, as the rookie QB was forced to singlehandedly lead a seven-play, 54-yard drive that resulted in his first NFL touchdown on the ground.
Seventh-round rookie wideout Devaughn Vele would finish as Nix’s leading receiver in receptions, with eight catches for 39 yards(!), while Josh Reynolds led the team in 45 yards and a long of 25 yards. Nix’s fellow team captain Courtland Sutton was limited to just four catches for 38 yards, while the Broncos’ tight ends were largely ineffective through the air, with Greg Dulcich only logging two catches for a measly 12 yards.
When Denver’s receivers would catch a pass from Nix, they would immediately be smothered by Seahawks defenders, resulting in negative yards or hardly any yards after contact, although the rookie signal-caller did miss several key throws in this game.
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Instead of capitalizing on Williams and Estime’s productive rushing early in the first few possessions, the diminutive McLaughlin was asked to be the bell cow and was continually bullied at the line of scrimmage. Payton’s offensive mismanagement of his playmaking resources spelled disaster for Nix for most of the game.
None of this even mentions that Denver’s offense will likely be ice skating uphill following the injury of starting left tackle Garett Bolles, who exited the game with a lower leg injury that is presumed to be an ankle.
If the Broncos offense hopes to improve in moving the chains and scoring points this season, Payton will need to remove his playmakers from the milk cartons and get to work quickly.
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Denver Brunchfest was the perfect blend of breakfast and lunch, offering a leisurely, delicious start to the day. It’s late enough to forgive your friends for dragging you out of bed, yet early enough to still enjoy the day after plunging head-first into sweet and savory delights. For many of us, brunch is the new “late-night coffee,” offering a chance to relax and recharge in a bustling world.
Returning for its 8th year, Denver Brunchfest took over Tivoli Quad on Saturday, August 24 herding crowds of egg-and-bacon lovers in the four-acre lot. With over 2,200 in attendance, there was plenty of buzz as foodies mingled and indulged in the city’s finest brunch offerings.
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“The goal of Brunchfest is bringing together the best of Denver’s brunch scene and offering a place where folks can come a try a huge variety of different dishes and find their new go-to favorite brunch spot,” stated Lacy Bruce, organizer and representative of Denver Brunchfest before the event took place.
While every restaurant served up something special, some dishes stood out among the rest. Here’s a look at this year’s Denver Brunchfest winners:
Best Savory
Stk Steakhouse Brunchfest 2024 entry. Bourbon glazed bacon oysters with maple vinegar.
1st: STK Steakhouse
Where: 1550 Market St., Denver
The Entry: Oysters: Bourbon glazed bacon, maple vinegar
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The Lowdown: A decadent combination, the oyster’s briny richness is perfectly balanced by the smoky, sweet bourbon-glazed bacon, with a hint of tang from the maple vinegar, creating a savory bite that’s both luxurious and comforting.
2nd:Sushi Kuro
3rd: Now Pho
Best Sweet
Edge Steakhouse Brunchfest 2024 entry. Peach Perfect French Toast.
1st: Edge Steakhouse
Where:1111 14th St., Denver
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The Entry:Peach Perfect French Toast: Yogurt mousse, orange gastrique, roasted peaches, almond, honey granola, orange milk crumble (contains gluten, dairy and nuts; options available upon request)
The Lowdown:This dish offers a delightful contrast between the creamy yogurt mousse and the tart orange gastrique, with roasted peaches adding warmth and depth. Almonds and honey granola provide a satisfying crunch, while the orange milk crumble ties it all together with a hint of citrusy sweetness.
2nd: Mimosas
3rd: Taste Local Café
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Best Bite
Grande Station 2024 Brunchfest entry. Grilled Peach and Burrata Crostini.
1st: Grande Station
Where:2299 Main St., Littleton
The Entry:Grilled Peach and Burrata Crostini: Toasted French bread, stracciatella, grilled Colorado peach, blistered tomato, crispy prosciutto, saba, basil (gf, veg options available upon request)
The Lowdown: This dish brings together the creamy richness of burrata with the natural sweetness of grilled Colorado peaches. The crispy prosciutto adds a savory crunch, while the toasted French bread provides a perfect base, complemented by the tangy saba and fresh basil. A harmonious blend of flavors and textures that epitomizes summer.
2nd: STK Steakhouse
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3rd: Sushi Kuro
People’s Choice
My Neighbor Felix 2024 Brunchfest entry. Birria Mini Tamales.
1st: My Neighbor Felix
Where: 1801 Central St., Denver; 7209 S. Clinton St., Centennial
The Entry:Birria Mini Tamales
The Lowdown:These mini tamales are a crowd-pleaser, packed with rich, savory birria that’s slow-cooked to perfection. The tender masa and bold, flavorful filling make for a bite that’s both traditional and innovative.
2nd: Uptown and Humboldt
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3rd: Chez Maggy
Favorite Sip
Photo courtesy of First Watch on Facebook
1st: First Watch
Where:7830 W. Alameda Ave. #101 and #102, Lakewood; 7450B W. 52nd Ave. #200, Arvada; 2406 S. Parker Rd. #A, Aurora; 5866 S. Wadsworth Blvd. #3700, Littleton; 6890 S. University Blvd. #20, Centennial; 6818 S. Yosemite St., Centennial; 12325 W. 64th Ave., Arvada
The Entry:Purple Haze (juice): Lemon, cane sugar, butterfly pea flower tea and a hint of lavender. Morning Meditation (juice): Orange, lemon, turmeric, organic ginger, agave nectar and beet
The Lowdown: First Watch’s juices are a refreshing burst of flavor—the Purple Haze offers a delicate blend of tartness and floral notes, while the Morning Meditation brings an earthy, invigorating mix of citrus and spice.
2nd: Molly Brown Spirits
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3rd: Dirty Dill Co
Favorite Sweet Treat
Everbowl 2024 Brunchfest entry. Everbowl various samples.
1st: Ever Bowl Craft Superfood
Where:2656 W. 32nd Ave., Denver; 4950 S. Yosemite #1, Greenwood Village; 7220 W. 56th Ave.; 8181 E. Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village
The Lowdown: Ever Bowl’s offerings are a vibrant explosion of color and flavor. Each bowl is layered with fresh, nutritious ingredients that not only satisfy the sweet tooth but also provide a healthy, energizing boost to start the day right.
2nd: Edge Steakhouse
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3rd: Taste Local Café
As the sun set on another successful Denver BrunchFest, food enthusiasts left with full bellies and new favorites to add to their weekend rotation. The event once again showcased the best of Denver’s brunch scene, bringing together a diverse range of flavors and culinary creations. Whether it was the savory delights, sweet indulgences, or refreshing sips, each bite was a testament to the city’s vibrant brunch culture. The memories of these delicious dishes will linger, reminding us all why brunch is the ultimate weekend indulgence.
Denver Brunchfest takes place on TIvoli Quad located at 1000 Larimer St, Denver. Follow its Instagram forupdates about upcoming events.
The Broncos will kick off their 2024 schedule with a road game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
Denver will play eight home games at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium this year and nine games on the road. Because the league has an unbalanced 17-game schedule, the NFC and AFC rotate between having an extra home game. This year, the NFC gets a ninth home game.
The Broncos’ schedule is highlighted by a home game against quarterback Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, and a road contest against the New Orleans Saints, coach Sean Payton’s former team, on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. View the Broncos’ complete schedule below.
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Denver Broncos 2024 Schedule
Week
Date
TV
Opponent
Time (MT)
Broncos Tickets
1
9/8
CBS
@ Seattle Seahawks
2:05 PM
Tickets
2
9/15
CBS
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
2:25 PM
Tickets
3
9/22
FOX
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
11:00 AM
Tickets
4
9/29
CBS
@ New York Jets
11:00 AM
Tickets
5
10/6
FOX
vs. Las Vegas Raiders
2:05 PM
Tickets
6
10/13
CBS
vs. Los Angeles Chargers
2:05 PM
Tickets
7
10/17
Amazon Prime Video
@ New Orleans Saints
6:15 PM
Tickets
8
10/27
CBS
vs. Carolina Panthers
2:25 PM
Tickets
9
11/3
CBS
@ Baltimore Ravens
11:00 AM
Tickets
10
11/10
CBS
@ Kansas City Chiefs
11:00 AM
Tickets
11
11/17
FOX
vs. Atlanta Falcons
2:05 PM
Tickets
12
11/24
CBS
@ Las Vegas Raiders
2:05 PM
Tickets
13
12/2
ESPN
vs. Cleveland Browns
6:15 PM
Tickets
14
12/8
BYE
15
12/15
CBS
vs. Indianapolis Colts
2:25 PM
Tickets
16
12/22
FOX
@ Los Angeles Chargers
2:05 PM
Tickets
17
12/28 or 12/29
TBD
@ Cincinnati Bengals
TBD
Tickets
18
1/4 or 1/5
TBD
vs. Kansas City Chiefs
TBD
Tickets
The Broncos have not returned to the playoffs since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2015. Now entering his second season on the job, Payton will aim to snap the club’s eight-year playoff drought this fall.
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