The Broncos dropped to 0-3 this preseason, falling 27-17 to the Bears in their first 2009 appearance at INVESCO Field at Mile High. While the result was not what Head Coach Josh McDaniels or his team wanted, more potential weapons were discovered in the third game of the exhibition slate.
Trailing 17-3 at halftime, the Broncos' offense found its footing behind rookie Tom Brandstater. Brandstater engineered the first touchdown drive of his pro career - nine plays, 61 yards - with a little help from the legs of Peyton Hillis, who scored on a two-yard run. That score was set up by a 19-yard passing connection between Brandstater and Brandon Lloyd, which put the Broncos in a 1st and goal at the 1-yard line.
After the Bears got a touchdown of their own, the Broncos responded again with another big play through the air by Brandstater. He found fellow rookie Kenny McKinley, on a 54-yard strike, marking the longest completion by any of the five quarterbacks in tonight's contest. Five plays later, Darius Walker scampered into the end zone, pulling the Broncos to within a one-possession deficit.
For a look back at all of the biggest plays at INVESCO Field at Mile High, visit the official Denver Broncos blog.
