All 32 teams are in action during Week 1 of the NFL preseason, including Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons on Friday night.
Denver went 14-3 last year and is looking to defend its AFC West title, while Atlanta (8-9) is hoping to end an eight-year playoff drought.
With the game kicking off at 7:00 pm ET in Atlanta, it’s time to break down the Broncos vs. Falcons matchup and discuss the best bets to make.
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons betting picks and predictions
Denver Broncos -4.5 (-105)
Broncos head coach Sean Payton does not mess around in the preseason. His team is 7-0 in its last seven such games dating back to the 2023 finale.
All seven of those wins have come by at least four points, including 41-0 over the Rams, 27-2 over Green Bay, 38-12 over Arizona, 27-7 over the Cardinals a year later and 30-9 over San Francisco.
There is plenty of continuity in this Denver franchise, both on the roster and the coaching staff. Davis Webb is a new offensive coordinator, but he has been a part of the organization since Payton arrived (previously passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach).
On the other side of the ball, Vance Joseph is going into his fourth season as defensive coordinator. Joseph's unit boasted top-three marks in total defense, points per game allowed and sacks last season.
The Falcons head into 2026 with much more uncertainty, which means it could take them a lot longer to gel. Kevin Stefanski is the new head coach, bringing offensive coordinator Tommy Rees with him from Cleveland.
Jeff Ulbrich is back as defensive coordinator, but his unit has already lost second-year linebacker Jalon Walker to a torn ACL.
James Pearce Jr. is likely facing a prolonged suspension, while Jessie Bates, Divine Deablo and Avieon Terrell are dealing with minor injuries.
Of course, the biggest preseason news story in Atlanta is the quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
With Penix Jr. not yet cleared for contact following last year's ACL injury, Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush and Jack Strand will handle QB duties on Friday.
That isn't a terrible quarterback corps for a preseason contest, but it's also not one that can be expected to get the best of Denver's defense.
Under 39.5 (-110)
The Broncos have been dominant on defense in recent years and preseason has been no exception.
They shut out the Rams to conclude their 2023 preseason schedule, surrendered a combined 14 points in their last two preseason games of the 2024 campaign and gave up a grand total of 35 points during their three-game 2025 slate.
Payton has confirmed that the vast majority of his starters will get some playing time on Friday. However, that list will not include former first-round pick Bo Nix at quarterback.
Nix has the day off, so Denver's offense will be led by Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger.
Stidham does not inspire any confidence following his AFC Championship futility last season and Ehlinger has not attempted a regular-season pass in the NFL since 2022.
Atlanta's first-string offense can be dangerous regardless of who is throwing the football, largely because it features RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London.
Still, those guys don't figure to log more than one series, or two at most. Strand will probably be under center for all of or at least most of the second half.
Even if Denver's defensive backups are on the field by that point, it may be a big ask for the undrafted free agent to put points on the board.
This game is tied for the second-highest total of the week (only Cardinals vs. Raiders is higher at 41.5) and, all things considered, the under looks like the way to go.
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Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons odds
Denver Broncos | -205 |
Atlanta Falcons | +170 |
Spread | DEN Broncos -4.5 |
Total Points | O/U 39.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
