Led by Love early, Packers dominate in 2nd preseason game
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DENVER -- Bo Nix
Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd, right, scores a touchdown in an NFL preseason game against the Broncos on Friday in Denver. (AP photo)
“It felt great,” Nix said after working with new play-caller Davis Webb for the first time in a game. “Just like any typical year, going out for the first drive, there’s going to be some different things that you can grow from.”
Nix’s second and final series ended with a 53-yard field goal from Wil Lutz, but Pierre Strong Jr. returned the ensuing kickoff 68 yards, setting up Trey Smack’s first of four field goals, a 51-yarder that tied it at 10.
Nix completed 6 of 9 passes for 76 yards and the touchdown in his first live action for the Broncos (1-1) since breaking his right ankle against Buffalo in the playoffs seven months ago. He underwent surgery in January and had a follow-up procedure to remove bone spurs in the spring.
The Packers (1-1) dominated every phase in snapping Denver’s eight-game winning streak in the preseason.
“I can’t think of one area we outplayed them,” lamented Broncos coach Sean Payton.
Jordan Love drove Green Bay on a 12-play, 63-yard touchdown drive in his only series, which he capped with an 11-yard touchdown throw to MarShawn Lloyd for a 7-0 lead. It marked Lloyd’s first TD in any kind of game since he played for USC in November 2023.
That series originally looked short-lived when cornerback Riley Moss recovered Christian Watson’s fumble on the second play of the game, but a review determined Watson’s knee was down just as Pat Surtain II was ripping the ball out of Watson’s arms.
“He’s definitely one of the best corners in the game,” Love said about Surtain. “And he does a great job just everything he does. So, definitely got a lot of respect for him. He made a great play trying to get the ball out, but that’s just what he does.”
Former University of Colorado receiver Will Sheppard’s toe-dragging 2-yard touchdown catch from Tyrod Taylor gave Green Bay a 17-10 lead and Smack kicked field goals of 59 and 44 yards sandwiched around Mark Perry’s interception of Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham’s pass to send Green Bay into halftime with a 23-10 lead.
Jaden Nixon’s 3-yard TD run made it 30-13 and Smack added a 38-yard field goal with 1:05 remaining.
Up next
Packers: Host Arizona on Friday night.
Broncos: Host Minnesota on Friday night.