RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Despite the Denver Broncos ' 33-13 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers , there were a few risers from the performance on Friday night.
On the flip side, there were also several fallers in the defeat. Coach Sean Payton thinks the Broncos played poorly in nearly every aspect in the loss. "Each phase saw their fair share of what ended up being the final score," Payton said postgame . "You can't not pay attention to these games, these scrimmages, these important steps toward regular season."
We scrutinize the stocks of six different aspects and players from the game.
Riser: Bo Nix-Jaylen Waddle connection
Bo Nix's first completion of Friday's contest was on a 3rd-and-medium, to none other than wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. The pitch-and-catch from Nix to Waddle went for 35 yards, setting up the first Broncos score of the game. It showed not only the explosive playmaking ability of Waddle, but the connection between QB and WR. Broncos fans look forward to many more plays like the one made against the Packers .
Faller: Jarrett Stidham
After a quality performance against the Atlanta Falcons last week, Stidham looked more like the quarterback who appeared in the 2025 AFC Championship. Stidham threw a bad interception, staring down his receiver the entire way, and also had a bad center-quarterback exchange, which resulted in a loss of yards. Stidham had two quarters of work, but only three points to show for it.
Riser: Kolbe Katsis
The Broncos may have found a viable backup returner in Katsis, the undrafted talent out of Northern Arizona. Katsis was Denver's primary returner on Friday night, returning four kickoffs for 117 yards and one punt for 17 yards. Katsis looked explosive, and could very well have solidified himself on the roster as a Marvin Mims-type player.
Faller: Tyler Badie
Badie only had five touches during the game, going for only five yards. Although he has made the Broncos ' roster the past few seasons, Badie is on the outside of the roster bubble heading into the final week of the preseason and roster cuts. He could still have the potential to be a practice squad player.
Riser: Red Murdock, Que Robinson
Murdock again led the Broncos with seven tackles in the defeat, while wearing the green dot on his helmet. Murdock has quickly ascended from "Mr. Irrelevant" to a reliable piece in the middle of the defense, potentially making him a valuable asset for years to come. Robinson, for his part, came up with the only Broncos sack of the night . Robinson is trying to make a name for himself in a very talented pass-rusher room.
Memories have to be short. For the Broncos , their transition to the final game of the preseason will be a crucial one for many players as they eye the roster cuts from 91 to 53 on Aug. 30.
Social : Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X ! Did you know : These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans .
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos stock watch: Risers and fallers from second preseason game
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.