Broncos defeat Falcons in 2019 Hall of Fame Game

The 100th NFL season kicked off on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio as the Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons 14-10 in the annual Hall of Fame Game at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. 

Neither team went into their first of five preseason games with the intention of playing the majority of their starting lineup. Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan were both inactive.

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After both teams were forced to punt on their first drive, Denver struck first with running back Khalfani Muhammad finishing off an eight-play drive with a three-yard touchdown run.

The FIRST TD of the preseason belongs to the @Broncos! pic.twitter.com/NK7SzHIeaD

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 2, 2019

Muhammad led Denver in rushing with 51 yards, including a 31-yard run. 

This Khalfani Muhammad can RUN.31 yards for the longest play of the game! #PFHOF19--: @ProFootballHOF Game on NBCWatch free on mobile: https://t.co/gjdN954aVr pic.twitter.com/6jh72PWcW7

— NFL (@NFL) August 2, 2019

In the second quarter, teams and fans alike got a taste of the new pass interference rule that allows teams to challenge the penalty, or a non-call. Denver would not win the challenge without "clear and obvious" evidence that no interference was made. 

The first challenge of a pass interference call.Hear the explanation behind the call. pic.twitter.com/CPKoUDLE1u

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 2, 2019

With 21-seconds remaining in the first half, the Falcons would tie the game at 7-7 as quarterback Kurt Benkert found running back Brian Hill for the one-yard touchdown pass. 

They started playing ping pong after the TD --(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/YTbT2BvuG4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 2, 2019

Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock saw action in the second half, finishing the night 7-of-11 for 34 yards.

Lock was also sacked twice. 

It would be a fellow rookie quarterback in Denver that would go on to throw the game-winning touchdown. Trailing 10-7 with 3:55 remaining, Brett Rypien found rookie wide receiver Juwann Winfree who managed to bring the ball down off a tipped pass, and stay in bounds. 

That's one way to start the preseason. What a grab!pic.twitter.com/PYmi1FLWhP

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 2, 2019

Week 1 of the NFL preseason begins Thursday with 11 games scheduled.

The Buffalo Bills are home to take on the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday at 7 p.m. and can be heard on WGR Sports Radio 550.