Packers Fall to Broncos in Preseason Game

DENVER – It was a tough night for the Packers‘ backup players as they lost 27-2 to the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

The starters for Green Bay didn’t take the field, and the team couldn’t recover from a slow start. Denver jumped to a quick 10-0 lead, and the Packers struggled to respond throughout the game.

Head Coach Matt LaFleur expressed his disappointment, saying, «That was a long night.» He expected more effort from his team, especially after a tough joint practice with the Broncos the day before.

Despite the rough start, LaFleur noted some positives in the second half, especially on defense, where they recorded an interception and a safety. But unfortunately, the Packers couldn’t convert these moments into points on the scoreboard.

The only points for the Packers came from a safety, with kicker Greg Joseph missing a 47-yard field goal attempt after their best offensive drive of the night.

The defense did manage two other sacks and generally held strong after the early deficit. LaFleur pointed out that while they competed harder in the second half, there were still mistakes that needed to be addressed.

Quarterbacks Sean Clifford and rookie QB McPratt each turned the ball over once, leading to scoring opportunities for Denver. Overall, the Packers offense was quite disappointing with just 10 first downs and 168 total yards.

The new kickoff rule also raised concerns for LaFleur, as the safety kick didn’t provide the advantage it used to, leading to confusion about player positioning.

As the training camp continues, there’s a lot on the line for players looking to make the final roster. LaFleur emphasized that every player needs to give their all in the upcoming practices and the final preseason game against Baltimore.

Meanwhile, the Broncos defense shined during the game and controlled the flow, building on their previous performances. Head Coach Sean Payton noted their solid play and the importance of maintaining consistency.

Players like Keidron Smith and Jonah Elliss had standout moments with key plays, and the defensive unit overall showed they are ready for the season ahead.

While there were plenty of positives, Payton pointed out that the team still has to clean up their penalties, having committed 13 of them during the game, which can be costly going forward.