The Green Bay Packers got an opening touchdown drive engineered by Jordan Love, a pair of field goals over 50 yards and another perfect kicking night from Trey Smack and a bounce-back performance from the down-the-depth chart players on defense, powering a 33-13 win over the Denver Broncos on Friday night at Empower Field at Mile High.
The Packers rebounded from a 28-9 loss in the preseason opener in Pittsburgh. Matt LaFleur’s team will now fly home and prepare for the final preseason week of 2026.
Instant analysis of the Packers’ preseason win over the Broncos:
Final score: Packers 33, Broncos 13
It was over when…
Rookie running back Jaden Nixon powered into the end zone from three yards out in the fourth quarter, expanding the Packers’ lead to 17 points and putting the game out of reach for the Broncos backups.
Game balls
WR Will Sheppard: He played his final collegiate season at Colorado, and he wasn’t signed after a rookie minicamp tryout with the Broncos before landing in Green Bay. In Denver on Friday night, Sheppard caught a game-high six passes, including an incredible toe drag touchdown.
CB Kamal Hadden: In his first game since last season’s devastating ankle injury, Hadden created five tackles, including two tackles for loss. He was excellent in the slot and made a strong case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
RB Pierre Strong Jr.: His eight rushes gained 37 yards, including a long of 12, and he created an explosive play on special teams with a 68-yard kickoff return. Could the Packers keep a fourth running back?
K Trey Smack: The rookie made all seven of his kicks: 4-for-4 on field goals, including two over 50 yards, and 3-for-3 on extra points. He’s been the definition of perfect through two preseason games.
Key stat
3-for-3 start: The Packers had a perfect start scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Jordan Love found the end zone on an 11-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Tyrod Taylor had a drive end in the end zone when he connected with Will Sheppard on a 2-yard score in the second quarter. And Jaden Nixon finished off a Kyle McCord drive with a touchdown run in the fourth quarter. A final trip inside the red zone late in the fourth quarter resulted in a Trey Smack field goal.
Highlight
It took three summers, but the MarShawn Lloyd experience is finally paying off. The 2024 third-round pick ran an excellent choice route from the backfield, caught a pass from Jordan Love and scored an 11-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-3 to finish off the opening series.
Jordan Love watch
Love played one series, and he made the most of it. The Packers starter completed 5-of-7 passes for 56 yards and the 11-yard touchdown pass to MarShawn Lloyd. He connected with Matthew Golden on a 19-yard completion to convert 4th-and-1, and his strike to Lloyd converted 3rd-and-3 in the red zone.
Injury updates
Rookie Brandon Cisse appeared to leave the game in the first half with some kind of lower leg injury. We’ll provide updates if Matt LaFleur has any post-game.
What’s next
The Packers return home for a big week in Green Bay. Matt LaFleur’s team will host the Arizona Cardinals for a joint practice on Wednesday and the preseason finale on Friday night at Lambeau Field. There’s also a public practice on Monday, Aug. 24.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Instant analysis of Packers’ 33-13 win over Broncos in Preseason Week 2
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
