The Atlanta Falcons are just three hours away from kicking off their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. Friday night's game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the first for new head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The game starts tonight at 7 p.m. ET in Atlanta, and both teams are expected to play their starters for about a series. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has been ruled out. Third-year Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. won't be suiting up, either. However, we can expect to see James Pearce Jr., who was suspended for the first eight games of the season by the NFL on Friday. Pearce can play in the preseason despite his suspension, which will run from Weeks 1-8 of the 2026 regular season. Follow below for game information, live updates and highlights from Friday's preseason opener in Atlanta. Falcons vs. Broncos: Game info
What: Preseason opener vs. Denver Broncos When: Friday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Watch Falcons vs. Broncos on Fubo (free trial) What channel is Falcons vs. Broncos on today? The Falcons-Broncos game will air locally on FOX 5 in Atlanta. Fans can also catch the replay of the game on NFL Network after it airs.
TV: FOX 5 Atlanta Radio: 92.9 The Game Stream: FuboTV
What times does Falcons vs. Broncos start? Friday's preseason opener against the Broncos starts at 7:00 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Date: Friday, August 14 Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Streaming options Fans can watch live broadcasts of out-of-market NFL preseason games through NFL+. They can also tune in on FuboTV in local markets or use the ESPN app. Falcons reveal uniforms for preseason game vs. Broncos The Falcons revealed their uniforms for the preseason opener. As you can see below, the players will be wearing the team's new red jerseys with white pants and regular black helmets against Denver.
Got the fresh fit ready 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3wIqVDyfkS — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 13, 2026 Broncos reveal preseason Week 1 uniforms: The Broncos also revealed their preseason uniforms. The team will wear its white jerseys with orange pants on Friday night. Check them out below, as shared by Broncos' social media account.
Debuting a new combo for the preseason opener ⚪️🟠🔵 pic.twitter.com/BOQbyiyXjr — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 13, 2026 Falcons preseason schedule
Vs. Denver Broncos, Friday, Aug. 14 At Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Aug. 22 At Miami Dolphins, Friday, Aug. 28
Falcons offensive starting lineup Check out the Falcons starting offensive lineup below. As you can see, Tua Tagovailoa is set to make his first start for Atlanta.
QB Tua Tagovailoa RB Bijan Robinson WR Drake London WR Jahan Dotson WR Olamide Zaccheaus TE Kyle Pitts TE Charlie Woerner LT Jake Matthews LG Matthew Bergeron C Ryan Neuzil RG Chris Lindstrom RT Michael Jerrell
Falcons defensive starting lineup Check out the Falcons' preseason Week 1 starting defense and special teams lineups below, per the team's official depth chart.
DE Cameron Thomas DL Maason Smith DL Da'Shawn Hand DL LaCale London DE Brandon Dorlus ILB Divine Deablo ILB Christian Harris CB A.J Terrell Jr. CB Mike Hughes NB Darnay Holmes S Jessie Bates III S Xavier Watts
Falcons special teams starters
K Nick Folk P Jake Bailey KR Brian Robinson Jr. PR Zachariah Branch LS Liam McCullough
James Pearce suspended 8 games by NFL As expected, James Pearce Jr. was suspended by the NFL for eight games. The team will have to get by without its 2025 sack leader for nearly half of the season. "Falcons DE James Pearce Jr. is being suspended eight regular-season games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy," reported ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Pearce was arrested in February, in Doral, Florida, after a domestic dispute involving his ex-girlfriend, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson." The NFL will allow Pearce to play in all three preseason games, including tonight's opener against the Denver Broncos, and return during the team's Week 9 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons vs. Broncos live updates: Start time, TV channel for NFL preseason game