After a late kickoff in the Pacific Northwest, there has been a little time to digest the Denver Broncos’ 22-14 loss in the preseason to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

This game featured Broncos fans being subjected to watching Paxton Lynch, the same guy who looked like he didn’t belong in the league during his time with the Broncos, look like a star.

The man tabbed as the future of the franchise, much as Lynch once was, Drew Lock will not appear on either list here after a mixed bag in this game. He had some poor throws and an interception, but he did finally lead the team on a touchdown drive.

It is refreshing to see the team giving him so much work. There is no reason not to. However, he’s a long-term project, and it shows.

Winner: Malik Reed

Reed’s young career is off to a terrific start, regardless of the level of competition he is up against. The undrafted linebacker out of Nevada is making plays all over the field and seems to have gained the respect of his teammates.

Taking advantage of the fact that Todd Davis and Josey Jewell were both out of the lineup, Reed made an early impact. He had a sack in this game, but the plays he made that won’t show up on the stat sheet were just as impressive.

He got pressure on the quarterback several times and was able to stick with that quarterback when he tried to shake him. Reed is a highly athletic player who is starting to carve out on a spot on the 53-man roster.

If I were a betting man, I’d say he’ll be on it.

Loser: Devontae Booker

Booker needed to step up and have a good game against the Seahawks, and he was just too quiet. Playing for his professional livelihood at this point, Booker almost looks like a guy who knows his fate is sealed.

Though he got the ball back, he fumbled the opening kickoff and carried the ball just two times for seven yards after that.