10 observations from Broncos vs. Seahawks

Here's a gut reaction to the Broncos' second preseason game.

In preseason Game 2, the Denver Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks 22-14. Now Seahawks QB Paxton Lynch had some modest success against his old team. 

I've only watched the TV broadcast and haven't had a chance to break down the All-22 film. But here are 10 observations from Denver's second preseason game of the summer. 

• Joe Flacco looked 'okay'. The Broncos offense needs Emmanuel Sanders for the pass game to open up because without him, they legit have no speed at receiver allowing opposing defenses to compress and opening up less space. 

Lots of checkdowns due to this but better than sacks or even throw-aways. Running backs will have heavy usage in the pass game this year. Flacco is statuesque, though, so the O-line will have to perform. They were 'okay' last night. 

Flacco definitely looked like an NFL starting QB, which isn't something I have said about a Broncos' signal-caller in a bit. It's a limited sample size, but feeling fine here for now. 

• The offense moved ball well but they need to convert in the red zone. Those field goals instead of touchdowns were the difference in the Seahawks game. 

The Broncos' red zone offense was the worst in the NFL last year, and the lack of push from the O-line, plus a putrid pass attempt (Flacco to Courtland Sutton), have me a bit worried. Vic Fangio harped on this as well and it's something to monitor going forward. Denver must come away with seven in the red zone. 

• While the NFL is 100% a pass-first league, the Broncos are going to need to rely on the running backs. The starting offensive line was actually one of the best run-blocking units in the NFL last year from a ball-carriers' yards-before-contact (opening up big holes and getting downhill) and that looked to continue. 

The offense is going to run through both Lindsay and Freeman who both looked solid last night in limited action. 

• Bradley Chubb and Von Miller looked dominant last night. This could be the best edge rush duo the team has ever had. 

Better than Von and Elvis Dumervil or Von and DeMarcus Ware. Von was an absolute terror and Chubb did well in run, coverage, and pass rush. These two alone make the Broncos at least a solid defense. 

• The interior D-line looked okay, but I'm somewhat worried about how dichotomized the unit is. Derek Wolfe and Adam Gotsis can stop the run, but offer little pass rush (Gotsis did flash some, so holding out some hope there). Dre'Mont Jones and DeMarcus Walker can get after the QB, but got blown up against the run. Still not sure what to make of Shelby Harris at nose tackle just yet. 

• The secondary looked really good actually. Isaac Yiadom and De'Vante Bausby held their own mostly, besides a few deep balls that, well, if it had been Russell Wilson,  those might have been TDs (guarding the 6-foot-4, 230-pound alien D.K. Metcalf). 

Both young corners, however, were solid. Yiadom is physical (that penalty on him would not be called in regular season) but needs to show better with the ball in the air, and Bausby has to be better tackling and getting off blocks but flashes ball skills and fluidity that is great for his size/length. 

The third and fourth cornerback spots should be improved over last season. Chris Harris, Jr. is a boss still. 

• The linebackers looked pretty slow and in over their heads from time to time, especially compared to pass rush and DBs. Not shocking as  the best three were out (Davis, Jewelll, Jones). 

Alexander Johnson is a thumper with less athleticism and instincts than Todd Davis in space, and that showed. Johnson is solid coming downhill and hitting and filling, but ask him to cover or play pursuit and he just looks like he has some lead cleats. Dude would have been a good player in the 80s. 

That said, he was by far the best LB the Broncos tossed out there. Get well soon Jewell, Davis, and Jones. 

• The special teams is horrible. Outside of long snapper Casey Kreiter and kicker Brandon McManus, the Broncos stunk. Punter Colby Wadman struggled and hurt his coverage units, the discipline from lanes to tackling was bad, and penalties. 

That marks two games in a row with the special teams looking like they entered the field from a clown car. 

• Drew Lock looked better than last week, but he still has a ways to go. He's not gaining enough depth in his drop, especially on his first step from my eyes, and relied on his arm instead of his base on some of throws he short-armed. 

The backup O-line and run game did him no favors, as they were constantly at like 2nd-&-11 and 3rd-&-9. Best-case scenario, we don't see Lock this year as he works on his mechanics and the offense, but it was good to see improvement over his debut in the Hall of Fame Game and the tools are there. Like a good whiskey, it's probably best to put him in a barrel and let him age a bit to get the richest flavor. 

• LBs and TEs are dropping like flies and it sounds like the Andy Janovich injury is serious, and the Broncos only have $2 in available cap space. Unless there is a restructure (Flacco) or surprise release, the roster is the roster with little room for additions.

Follow Nick on Twitter @NickKendellMHH.