Hey we lost big, but overall this was a solid game on all sides of the equation. Our #2 offense played well vs Denver’s #1 defense,WR Jordan Watkins out-muscled Denver’s DB on a decent throw for a deep connection by Mac Jones, and he had a solid game, and the run game was decent, with Kiner getting 45 yards on 10 carries. At least on the first couple drives with the 2s in. The #2 defense played with a LOT more flow and power as the rookies up front did well to hold their gaps and got pressure on Nix and their 1s.

Thing is, I can look back on last year’s preseason opener and safely say we showed about 100% better effort on offense, defense, and special teams. UDFA DT Sebastian Valdez lit up the tape with pressures, tackles for losses, and 1/2 a sack against Denver’s 1s. CJ West showed well, clogging up the middle, filling his gap, and providing push up the middle.

Special teams also got into the act with a nice Junior Bergen 28 yard punt return. Nick Moody even made his 1 extra point attempt. And there were very few penalties and stupid shit going on.

The rest of the game was a 3rd string slop-fest, but overall I feel SO much better about the team than I did last year at this time. I knew back then that our style of defense and special teams were gonna be a major problem, and they were.