Game 14: Packers @ Broncos - Sunday, Dec. 14th @ 3:25 PM

[CheezWizHed]

The Broncos seem to be built in a similar fashion to the Packers: A strong defense with a complementary offense. Denver has scored 14 less points scored on offense (GB 10th, Denver 15th overall , but gave up 12 less points on defense (GB 4th, Denver 2nd).  

But for all the good reasons to beat Denver, Sean Payton still tops the list.  Dude should've been banned for life. 

[homer]

GB opens as 2.5 point favorite

[OldHeidelberg]

High of 60 in Denver on Sunday, it's tempting to drive there for the game since we are in winter hell here.

I don't know that I have really seen Denver all year, it's one of those parity games where none of the other division teams play them. My impression is they win all their close ones like the Bears did and also like the Bears their QB isn't as good as Love. That is probably the difference and why we are favored. #1 seed in play with 4 to go, have to win them all and getting this one will make it seem very possible.

 

[Fear The Chorizo]

Nix and Williams are essentially the same type of quarterback at this point - their season stat lines are darn close, too.  He can get out of the pocket and make plays, but isn't very accurate and needs their run game (which he is a part of) and defense to win games.

 

Denver is a tough place to play, but warmer temps there for the game should actually help the Packers be able to stay balanced and hopefully slow down that pass rush.  I can definitely see this game turning into a defensive struggle, though.  The Broncos have a much better defense than the Bears, which has helped them win ugly at times - feels like they've played most of their tough games at home thus far, the exception being a road win against the Jekyl and Hyde Eagles team early this season.  That really is their best win now that the Chiefs have proven to be average.  They beat the Texans by a FG on the road without Stroud, played arguably the ugliest game of the year in Europe against the Jets, got the Bengals at home right after Burrow got hurt, eeked out nailbiter home wins against the Giants, Raiders...basically they are probably an above-average team that has found ways to feast on a 3rd place schedule that includes a pretty weak NFC East.

[kestrel79]

What's the Packers overall record in Denver? It seems like one of those places we never play good, going back to the Favre and Rodgers days even like Buffalo and NYG.

[CheezWizHed]

2 minutes ago, kestrel79 said:

What's the Packers overall record in Denver? It seems like one of those places we never play good, going back to the Favre and Rodgers days even like Buffalo and NYG.

There is this new tool called "Google"...😛

 

It is the Packers' second game in Denver in the last three seasons (2023). The regular-season series between the Packers and Broncos is tied at 7-7-1. Green Bay has won four of the last six contests between the two clubs. The Packers are 1-7 at Denver, with their only victory coming in 2007.

[HarryDoyle]

5 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

There is this new tool called "Google"...😛

 

It is the Packers' second game in Denver in the last three seasons (2023). The regular-season series between the Packers and Broncos is tied at 7-7-1. Green Bay has won four of the last six contests between the two clubs. The Packers are 1-7 at Denver, with their only victory coming in 2007.

I remember that game well, as the rest of you should too. Favre to Jennings on the first and only play in overtime to win. Otherwise, it's been a nightmare there. 1999 and 2015 come to mind right away.

[HarryDoyle]

Well this doesn't look promising.

Packers-Broncos referee has biggest home-away penalty flag split

[BrewerFan]

On 12/8/2025 at 4:04 PM, CheezWizHed said:

The Broncos seem to be built in a similar fashion to the Packers: A strong defense with a complementary offense. Denver has scored 14 less points scored on offense (GB 10th, Denver 15th overall , but gave up 12 less points on defense (GB 4th, Denver 2nd).  

But for all the good reasons to beat Denver, Sean Payton still tops the list.  Dude should've been banned for life. 

Are we talking about bounty gate? Because... that seemed more like brainchild of Gregg Williams. I also don't think it was particularly rare. 

If we're talking about because he was part of a movie in which Kevin James plays him and he signed off on that, then... yeah, that's cause. 

 

Not sure why we're favored, doesn't make sense to me. Makes sense to others. A pick 'em would be one thing, but... that's a good team with an elite front 7. 

That said, I seem to be in the minority of that opinion, so hopefully we can take care of their speed rushers(help with Walker) and the IOL holds up. 

[CheezWizHed]

1 hour ago, BrewerFan said:

Are we talking about bounty gate? Because... that seemed more like brainchild of Gregg Williams. I also don't think it was particularly rare. 

Doesn't matter whose idea it was.  He leads the team and got a slap on the wrist for it. 

It wasn't rare in idea, but in substance it had them going out to hurt someone.  Basically the same IMO as a TLR lead team throwing beanballs because someone lingered too long to watch a HR.  Cheap crap derived from a low-life person. 

[BrewerFan]

7 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Doesn't matter whose idea it was.  He leads the team and got a slap on the wrist for it. 

It wasn't rare in idea, but in substance it had them going out to hurt someone.  Basically the same IMO as a TLR lead team throwing beanballs because someone lingered too long to watch a HR.  Cheap crap derived from a low-life person. 

Yeah, I'm not disputing any of that. I'm just saying there have been so many bounties investigated(including the Packers)... a lifetime ban would have been pretty punitive. 1 year, 6M, the staff(a good chunk), Williams indefinite, GM and the team losing picks was all pretty sufficient.

 

[adambr2]

On 12/10/2025 at 3:31 PM, HarryDoyle said:

I remember that game well, as the rest of you should too. Favre to Jennings on the first and only play in overtime to win. Otherwise, it's been a nightmare there. 1999 and 2015 come to mind right away.

I absolutely remember that one well. I was watching with two buddies and before the snap I told them, “we’re going for the home run on the first play.”

[OldSchoolSnapper]

This feels like a tough game to win even though I don't think Denver is quite as good as their record. I don't like them coming out of the AFC at all. It'll be a hostile environment against a very good defensive line.  

They are a much better ST unit and I feel like we're going to do something stupid there to cost us. I am little worried about this team giving vibes of 2021 where the ST unit will cost them dearly in a playoff game.  

I think the Packers are going to have a tough time holding on to this division, but I also don't think it's going to cost them much in the playoffs. I think the Bears settle the score next week, but it's a wide open field.  Going to Los Angeles feels easier than going into Philadelphia. Not a real believer in Seattle, even though you probably should be statistically. Much rather play Darnold than Stafford. 

[adambr2]

Denver can get after the QB better than any team in the NFL. Bad matchup for us. Bad matchup for anyone.

None of that is me saying this isn’t a winnable game. Denver is beatable in many ways, still. But we need to keep Jordan on his feet.

[homer]

34 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Denver can get after the QB better than any team in the NFL. Bad matchup for us. Bad matchup for anyone.

None of that is me saying this isn’t a winnable game. Denver is beatable in many ways, still. But we need to keep Jordan on his feet.

Denver is top 5 in blitz rate and plays primarily man coverage. Love obliterates man coverage and is the best QB in the league against the blitz. 

 

Oddly enough Love is kind of bad when pressured although I don't know if that's improved the last few weeks. Seems like it has based on the eye test. If it's still true, Denver better get pressure without sending extra rushers 

[BrewerFan]

6 hours ago, homer said:

Denver is top 5 in blitz rate and plays primarily man coverage. Love obliterates man coverage and is the best QB in the league against the blitz. 

 

Oddly enough Love is kind of bad when pressured although I don't know if that's improved the last few weeks. Seems like it has based on the eye test. If it's still true, Denver better get pressure without sending extra rushers 

Great against the blitz, one of the worst against pressure. 

So basically he gets the ball out quickly. Didn't work out great vs Philly and that secondary... so I think Denver's secondary is vs our WRing core is going to be a really interesting matchup. 

Surtain II is one of the best Corners in the league. I don't think he can cover Watson though. 
McMillian is one of the better slot corners-Jayden Reed
Talanoa Hufanga-Another stud safety. He was named 2nd team AP in the mid-season rankings(for whatever that's worth). 

They're going to make it tough. Quick pressures and pressures up the middle are the best way to get to Love. They have two speed rushers in Cooper and Bonitto and a few guys some big DTs who can collapse the pocket. This is going to be a great test for our offense. 

 

Dallas played this team at home with Pickens, with Lamb, Ferguson and Tolbert and the Broncos shut them down. 

So... I'm hoping @HarryDoyleis right and Denver's overrated. 

 

On a side note, if you know any white kids who wanted to play CB in the NFL... send 'em to Iowa! They seem to be the only team developing them! Riley Moss, starting CB for Denver, among the league leaders in PDs and separation per route. 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The tie game really wipes out any tiebreaker scenarios. If the Packers win this week or next, it makes it pretty tough for the Bears looking at the final 2 games for both. Dropping the next two probably gives it to the Bears though. I'd like the Packers chances even if they lose next week, if they win today.

[OldHeidelberg]

45 minutes ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

The tie game really wipes out any tiebreaker scenarios. If the Packers win this week or next, it makes it pretty tough for the Bears looking at the final 2 games for both. Dropping the next two probably gives it to the Bears though. I'd like the Packers chances even if they lose next week, if they win today.

Yes, I read in a couple of places this week that they should sit Jacobs because this is an AFC game. That is really only relevant in tie breakers which is very unlikely to matter for the Packers unless there is another tie in NFC. That said if we are destined to split these next 2 better to win next week.

 

The Broncos D is good but with our WR group finally healthy I like our chances of scoring 20+ today. Sounds like Jacobs is a go.  

[Fear The Chorizo]

I see this game being a defensive struggle - Denver has the horses to generate a pass rush without blitzing, and i think Nix throws us the ball a couple times.

 

Will come to down to the Packers being able to sustain scoring drives and finding a run game good enough to make play action effective to get some chunk completions against a damn good secondary.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

2 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

I see this game being a defensive struggle - Denver has the horses to generate a pass rush without blitzing, and i think Nix throws us the ball a couple times.

 

Will come to down to the Packers being able to sustain scoring drives and finding a run game good enough to make play action effective to get some chunk completions against a damn good secondary.

They really don't. They blitz on over 1/3 of passing plays. That's where their pressure comes from. 

[HarryDoyle]

PaRsOnS CaN't PlAy ThE rUn.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Micah has exceeded expectation as much as anyone we've brought in since #21. 

[adambr2]

That’s just such a terrible playcall on 3rd and half a yard.

[HarryDoyle]

MLF's third down play calling leaves a lot to be desired.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Can't block much worse than that, my God.