DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 22: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field At Mile High on October 22, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)Photo: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Broncos beat the Packers 19-17 to improve to 2-5 on the season. Below is the recap and postgame interviews:
The Packers won the coin toss and deferred. Broncos offense got the ball first.
From their own 25 yard line, the Broncos started their day on offense and on 3rd and 7, Russell Wilson hit Courtland Sutton on a deep pass down the right sideline for 33 yards to put the Broncos quickly into Green Bay territory. From there, Denver went to the power run game with Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin getting the ball all the way down to the 4 yard line. Initially, it looked like Javonte was able to punch in the first score of the game but a Quinn Bailey holding penalty negated the touchdown and the Broncos eventually settled for a 32-yard field goal. Broncos early lead 3-0 with 8:27 remaining in the 1st quarter.
For the Packers first drive of the game, they weren't able to get much on track as, after a couple of runs with Aaron Jones, Green Bay was forced to punt after only taking 1:52 off the clock.
Denver started their 2nd possession from their own 19 yard line but couldn't find any traction and quickly went 3-and-out, punting the ball back to the Packers.
Green Bay's 2nd possession began at their own 38 yard line and they quickly moved into Denver territory with passes to rookie TE Luke Musgrave. Baron Browning beat his man on a pass rush that caused a facemask penalty but it didn't impact the outcome of the play as a deep pass fell incomplete and the Packers were forced to punt the ball again.
Starting at their own 20 yard line, the Broncos began their 3rd drive with a great mix of run and pass. It was the Denver running backs that had the biggest plays between Williams and McLaughlin with the power run game and Perine in the passing game. Russell Wilson and the offense moved the ball all the way down to the Packers 10 yard line but their drive stalled and, once again, were forced to settle for a short field goal, extending their lead 6-0 with 13:14 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
The Packers, now trailing by 6, began their next drive at their 25 yard line and were able to get a quick first down to Christian Watson up to the GB 39 yard line but the drive stalled, forcing a punt, and the Broncos got the ball back at their own 10 yard line with an opportunity to add to their lead.
After an end around to Marvin Mims that went for an 11 yard loss and a Garrett Bolles holding call, the Broncos were forced to punt from their own 38 yard line and send the ball back to Green Bay.
The Packers began their next drive from their own 28 yard line and finally found some success with the quick passing game and had their most successful drive of the game. Green Bay moved the ball all the way down to the Denver 25 yard line but Anders Carlson missed the 43 yard field goal attempt.
With 41 seconds remaining in the 1st half, the Broncos had an opportunity to tack on more points before heading to the locker room. Russell Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for a 17 yard gain down the right sideline and Denver quickly moved into Green Bay territory. After a couple of check down passes to Perine, Russell Wilson scrambled for a 21 yard gain giving the Broncos a great look at a 35 yard field goal, which Wil Lutz made, and gave Denver a 9-0 lead at halftime.
Jordan Love and the Packers got the ball to the start the 3rd quarter in a two score hole from their own 25 yard line. Love helped the Packers two critical 3rd downs that helped Green Bay move efficiently into Denver territory. The Packers drove the ball to the Denver 11 yard line but saw their drive stall so they settled for a 29 yard field goal, cutting into the Broncos lead 9-3.
The Broncos got their first crack on offense in the 2nd and Russell Wilson quickly got the ball to Jerry Jeudy for an 18 yard gain and Javonte Williams had a power run that gained 21 yards that moved Denver into Green Bay territory. This time, the Broncos wouldn't be denied as, from the Packers 18 yard line, Russell Wilson found Courtland Sutton down the left sideline for the first touchdown of the game. Broncos lead extended to 16-3.
Now in a 13 point hole, the Packers went back to work and Jordan Love finally got Green Bay down the field into the end zone when Romeo Doubs and Pat Surtain simultaneously caught the ball but Doubs was able to wrestle it away and pull the Packers within 6, now 16-10.
The Broncos needed to respond but instead went 3-and-out to end the 3rd quarter and would punt it back to the Packers who now had momentum on their side.
Green Bay started their next drive at their own 24 yard line and found his Tight End Luke Musgrave for an 18 yard catch that Kareem Jackson lead with his helmet on the tackle, causing a personal foul penalty, and getting ejected from the game. The Packers worked all the way down to the 4 yard line, going for it on 4th and 2. Jordan Love's pass went through the hands of Romeo Doubs but went right into the hands of Jayden Reed to help give the Packers their first lead of the game 17-16.
Trailing for the first time in the game, Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense went to work from their own 25 yard line and a nice mix of passes to Jerry Jeudy and the power run game with Javonte Williams moved the ball into Packers territory. The drive stalled but Wil Lutz connected on a 52 yard field goal to give the Broncos the lead back 19-17.
With 3:50 remaining in the game, Jordan Love and the Packers offense only needed 3 points and it seemed like they were destined to make it happen. A key holding call against Green Bay, backed them out of Denver territory and then PJ Locke came up with the game sealing interception to give the Broncos their first home win of the season!
The next broadcast will be on Sunday, October 30th as the Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Coverage begins on KOA at 8am.
Postgame interviews below with Sean Payton, Russell Wilson, PJ Locke and Alex Singleton.