CANTON, Ohio — It's been 214 days since the Broncos last played a game, but the wait for football is finally over!
The Broncos will kick off their season and the NFL preseason Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio against the Atlanta Falcons. You can watch the game on KOAA 5 at 6 p.m. News5 at 6:00 will air on channel 5.2.
Coach Vic Fangio reportedly spent the day in the hospital for treatment of kidney stones, yet he is expected to be on the sidelines this evening.
Fans looking to get a look at new quarterback Joe Flacco will have to wait until next week. Backup QB Kevin Hogan is getting the start. Rookie QBs Drew Lock and Brett Rypien will also see plenty of snaps in relief and other younger players should see action.
RELATED: Broncos release first depth chart of training camp
Fans will also get to watch the first game with Vic Fangio as the head coach for the Broncos. He was hired in January to replace Vance Joseph, who missed the playoffs in both of his seasons as Broncos head coach. Most coaches keep the playcalling bland in the preseason, so don't expect Thursday night's game to be what you'll see on week 1 against the Raiders.
The Broncos get the honor to start the NFL season because of Pat Bowlen and Champ Bailey's upcoming introduction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. Former Chiefs and Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez will be featured as part of the class representing Atlanta.
Full Broncos schedule (games in italics indicate preseason games)
| Date | Game | Location | Time |
| 8/1/19 (Thursday) | Denver Broncos @ Atlanta Falcons (NBC- KOAA 5) | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton, Ohio) | 6 p.m. MT |
| 8/8/19 (Thursday) | Denver Broncos @ Seattle Seahawks | Centurylink Field | 8 p.m. MT |
| 8/19/19 (Monday) | San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 6 p.m. MT |
| 8/24/19 (Saturday) | Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 7 p.m. MT |
| 8/29/19 (Thursday) | Arizona Cardinals @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 7 p.m. MT |
| 9/9/19 (Monday) | Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum | 8:20 p.m. MT |
| 9/15/19 | Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 2:25 p.m. MT |
| 9/22/19 | Denver Broncos @ Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | 11 a.m. MT |
| 9/29/19 | Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 2:25 p.m. MT |
| 10/6/19 | Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers | Rokit Field at Dignity Health Sports Park | 2:05 p.m. MT |
| 10/13/19 | Tennessee Titans @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 2:25 p.m. MT |
| 10/17/19 (Thursday) | Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 6:20 p.m. MT |
| 10/27/19 | Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium | 2:25 p.m. MT |
| 11/3/19 | Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 2:25 p.m. MT |
| N/A | BYE WEEK | ||
| 11/17/19 | Denver Broncos @ Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium | 11 a.m. MT |
| 11/24/19 | Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills | New Era Field | 11 a.m. MT |
| 12/1/19 | Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 2:25 p.m. MT |
| 12/8/19 | Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans | NRG Stadium | 11 a.m. MT |
| 12/15/19 | Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 11 a.m. MT |
| TBD | Detroit Lions @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | TBD |
| 12/29/19 | Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos | Broncos Stadium at Mile High | 2:25 p.m. MT |
