On Saturday night, the Denver Broncos took the field at Mile High and were ready to play. Everyone can bellyache about how the preseason goes on too long, how the stars never play, and how the final quarter of most of these games is largely unwatchable. However, what I saw on Saturday was a bunch of fired up fellas who had competition in their hearts and fire in their eyes.

Todd Davis was feeling the competitive spirit so much that he wanted a piece of Aqib Talib for breaking up a scuffle. Did he look like a man who was taking the preseason lightly?

Trevor Siemian battled through a slow start to show again why he’s the starter over Paxton Lynch. Kyle Sloter looked solid as well. These were guys that were heavily invested in the outcome of this ‘meaningless’ game.

Then there’s Menelik Watson who was overcome that he proposed to his girlfriend at the game. I’m sure in retrospect they may chuckle at the fact that he chose a preseason game to do it in and not a regular season one, but darn it... the mood struck him and it was meaningful to him. That’s good enough for me.

Of course I say that these games are meaningful because the Broncos won on Saturday. Had they lost, I’m sure I’d be right there with the chorus banging the ‘these games don’t matter’ drum.

On that note, the Broncos play the Arizona Cardinals this Thursday and literally no veterans will be playing. Outside of the handful of roster-bubble players, this one is going to be tough to watch in the second half. Unless we win it. Then it’s all good.

***

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HORSE TRACKS

What we learned: Broncos 20, Packers 17
Find out what we learned from the Broncos' win over the Packers.

Next-Day Notebook: Numbers reveal progress made by offense in preseason
There are still areas in need of improvement, as Vance Joseph noted, but the No. 1 offense showed growth the last three weeks.

Jamaal Charles may have secured Denver Broncos spot in preseason debut
Running back finally makes Broncos debut and shows he can still be a valuable component for this offense.

Siemian Says: Finding rhythm with scramble after difficult start
After a tough start against the Packers, Trevor Siemian found his groove, beginning with a big gain on a scramble out of the pocket.

Next-Day Notebook: Numbers reveal progress made by offense in preseason
There are still areas in need of improvement, as Vance Joseph noted, but the No. 1 offense showed growth the last three weeks.

Paxton Lynch’s Shoulder Injury Described As ‘Minor’ « CBS Denver
Broncos backup quarterback Paxton Lynch will most likely undergo an MRI on his bruised shoulder after getting hurt in Saturday night's preseason game.

Injury could mean rookie Kyle Sloter starts Broncos' preseason finale - NFL Nation- ESPN
Paxton Lynch is due for an MRI on Sunday, and Northern Colorado product Kyle Sloter is next in line at QB for the Broncos if Lynch needs recovery time.

Preseason - Week 3: Broncos 20, Packers 17 | Total Packers

Upon Further Review: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
FOX Sports Wisconsin breaks down the Green Bay Packers' preseason loss to the Denver Broncos

Free-agent linebacker Ahmad Brooks to visit Packers - NFL.com
Free-agent linebacker Ahmad Brooks is visiting with the Green Bay Packers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. The 49ers released Brooks last week.

Broncos, Raiders clash — in North Platte | Local Sports | nptelegraph.com
A Denver Broncos-Oakland Raiders game at North Platte High School would be laughably unlikely today, but it happened 50 years ago Sunday.

What we learned from Sunday's preseason games - NFL.com
Mike Glennon held off the Mitchell Trubisky hype train, at least for one more week, with a strong performance against the Titans. What else did we learn Sunday?

Houston Texans J.J. Watts sends message of support to Harvey flood victims
As the Houston area endures unprecedented flooding caused by Tropical Storm Harvey, Texans star J.J. Watt urges the city to stay safe. Lions safety Glover Quin, a former Texan who still resides in Houston, says he is in touch with his wife and children.

Martavis Bryant of Pittsburgh Steelers says Matthias Farley of Indianapolis Colts tried to hurt him with late hit
Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant says Colts safety Matthias Farley was trying to hurt him with a late hit during Saturday's preseason game.

Cardinals WR John Brown scores twice in return to field - NFL.com
Just two weeks ago, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians was putting John Brown's roster spot on notice. Well, on Saturday night, Brown finally showed up -- in a big way.

Nathan Peterman gets plenty of reps on “ghost town” depth chart – ProFootballTalk
With Tyrod Taylor and T.J. Yates concussed, rookie Nathan Peterman is the only healthy quarterback in Buffalo. Which means he'll get all of the first-team reps until Taylor or Yates are cleared. "Definitely different, being a little ghost town out there," Peterman told reporters on Sunday.

McDermott: Dareus discipline in 'best interest' of Bills - NFL.com
Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott declined to get into the specific reasons why he sent Marcell Dareus home on Saturday night, but told reporters it was "in the best interest" of the Bills.

Phil Taylor getting MRI on quad injury – ProFootballTalk
A knee injury caused Washington defensive tackle Phil Taylor to miss two seasons of football. A new leg injury is derailing what has been to date an unlikely comeback. Taylor suffered a quad injury against the Bengals.

NFLPA will decide by October 15 whether to extend De Smith’s contract – ProFootballTalk
At first blush, it seemed odd that lawyer Cyrus Mehri declared his intention to challenge NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith in late August, months before the next election. Mehri's timing now makes a lot more sense.

Joe Staley exits with knee injury – ProFootballTalk
The news isn't all good for the 49ers, who are off to a great Sunday night start in Minnesota. Left tackle Joe Staley has left the contest with a knee injury, according to Michele Tafoya of NBC Sports.

DeShone Kizer has officially won the starting quarterback job for the Browns - CBSSports.com
Kizer beat out Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler for the position

WATCH: Kirk Cousins' throws pick-six vs. Bengals, Redskins' offense looks horrible - CBSSports.com
Washington has good reason to be worried about its offense

Bears' Cameron Meredith carted off field in air cast after gruesome leg injury - CBSSports.com
Meredith suffered what looks like a brutal knee injury against the Titans

Jets reportedly claim Kony Ealy one day after Patriots dump him - CBSSports.com
Ealy was a former second-round pick of the Panthers out of Missouri

Hurricane Harvey forces Texans to practice in Dallas, game may be relocated - CBSSports.com
It's unclear if the Texans will be able to host the Cowboys this Thursday

Chiefs' Spencer Ware reportedly out for season with torn PCL, damage to LCL - CBSSports.com
Rookie Kareem Hunt is expected to take over the lead role in Kansas City's backfield