Broncos 27, Cowboys 3: Game Balls

QB Brock Osweiler

Brock finished off the preseason with a good all-around effort.  He showed poise from the pocket, and the ability to stand in to take a hit while delivering the ball downfield.  Some of his touch is still a little bit off, but this was a very successful pre-season for the third year player who is still only 23 years of age.  In this game Brock finished off the game 9-13 (69.2%) for 190 yards (14.6 YPA) and a 111.9 passer rating , leading the 2nd team offense to 24 points on 8 drives.  For the preseason Brock was 29-49 (59.2%), for 423 yards (8.6 YPA) with 2 TD, 2 INT for an 84.0 passer rating.  Take into account that Broncos receivers dropped 9 of his passes.

The 2nd team offense under Brock finished 13-23 on 3rd downs (56.5%). They also had 8 scoring drives with 7 TD and 1 FG. - Bronco Mike

RB Kapri Bibbs

In a post-game interview Kapri Bibbs said that he was going for the hat trick, 'Hat trick!?' said someone off camera (presumably Mitch Unrein), "Boy, you from the Mountain West!" Bibbs fired back. 

What Bibbs was saying is completely true, Bibbs doesn't run for touchdowns, he runs for groups of them and fans who were pumped to see Juwan Thompson run psychotic through Dallas's defense got served Bibbs instead. The offensive line was on point, Thompson mustered 41 yards on 13 runs, Bibbs nabbed 32 yards on 7 runs and had two touchdowns. Was it enough for young Bibbs to make the team? Maybe not, but as Bibbs said he did prove that he is good, "Enough to play for someone in the NFL."

And if Denver stays young at running back, it will be Thompson who is the odd man out. - Ian Henson

DT Mitch Unrein

Unrein showed versatility and hustle in his fourth preseason game, knowing his job was on the line. Starting at defensive end, Unrein would move back and forth between the outside and inside of the defensive line and make every snap count. His sack was remarkable. He found the inside edge, gained leverage with one arm, and kept his legs firing.  - Monty

WR Isaiah Burse

Isaiah Burse is a wide receiver signed to a team with Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker plus a second round draft pick of wide receiver Cody Latimer. When you come in knowing you are basically trying to get a fifth spot on a receiver-rich team, you’ve got your work cut out from before day one.

Burse knows he needs to make the roster via special teams, and despite a bit of rocky start last night, he showed some great refocus and promising skill.

Isaiah Burse boasting a short memory with two catches for first downs minutes after the fumbled fair catch.

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 29, 2014

In spite of a bobbled fair catch, he finished with two kickoff returns for a total of 42 yards and two punt returns for 44 yards total. The former Fresno State Bulldog also turned in 4 catches for 65 yards, including a 28-yard grab. Those are good enough stats for the bench, I’d say, and a solid showing on an important night. - Laurie Lattimore-Volkmann

RB Juwan Thompson

His stats really don't jump off the page, but he has passed the eye test for me. He's a tough one cut downhill runner with excellent vision who has looked like the best running back of the group this preseason. He will also run right through you. He always knocks the defender backwards, and his legs keep pushing for the extra yard or two. This is the exactly the type of back John Fox likes.

Thompson finished the preseason with 29 carries for 143 yards(4.9 YPC), and 3 catches for 23 yards, and has earned my game ball for his overall work this preseason. - Scotty Payne

Honorable mentions

K Brandon McManus. Sure he missed two long field goal attempts that had he made at least one, his spot on the team for longer than four weeks would be a no-brainer. But he made a solid 39-yarder and had great kick-offs. For a young guy who became a Bronco two days ago, hadn't practiced with the team and was thrust into the spotlight, I give him a game ball, even if it's the last Broncos ball he kicks. - Laurie

LB Corey Nelson. One person close to the Broncos told me my depth chart projection was a little off in that it was missing this Broncos draft pick. Nelson has been the Broncos' leader in tackles throughout the preseason, he led the team in tackles last night, and he also had one of the higher snap counts. We'll see how the roster sorts itself in the days ahead! - Monty