Live Updates: Packers Lose 27-2 to Broncos

The Green Bay Packers will continue their preseason on Sunday night at the Denver Broncos. Sean Clifford will start and the backup receivers will be in the spotlight. Follow along for updates.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (55) and defensive end Spencer Waege (64) tackle Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin. / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers will face the Denver Broncos in their second preseason game of the year on Sunday night. With Jordan Love getting the night off, Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt will run the show for the Packers.

Follow along all day for updates.

Final Score

Here is the story from the Packers' 27-2 loss at the Broncos.

Fourth Quarter

Broncos 27, Packers 2 (5:48 remaining)

The Broncos took advantage of a short field. Michael Bandy beat cornerback LJ Davis for a gain of 22 and Tyler Badie scored a 7-yard touchdown on a perfectly executed screen.

Broncos 20, Packers 2 (7:45 remaining)

With Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon not dressed and with rookies MarShawn Lloyd and Jarveon Howard sidelined by injuries, the Packers signed Nate McCrary this week. He got the ball on four consecutive plays but was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 run.

New #Packers RB Nate McCrary is a "realist" about the challenge that's ahead.

"But the faith I have can move mountains. ... The goal is to make this team." ⬇️https://t.co/3J2CTfi1Dr

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 15, 2024

Broncos 20, Packers 2 (9:55 remaining)

Earlier, Zach Morton sacked Zach Wilson for a safety. The same day that Morton was signed, the Packers also signed Brevin Allen. He started this drive with a sack to kick-start a three-and-out.

Broncos 20, Packers 2 (11:25 remaining)

A terrible night in Denver continued when Greg Joseph shanked a 47-yard field goal. After Zach Morton’s safety, Michael Pratt hit Bo Melton for 11, Emanuel Wilson rumbled up the middle for 15 and Pratt connected with Samori Toure for 7 and a first down. Holding by center Lecitus Smith was too much to overcome, though, as Pratt threw too high and too hard to Jalen Wayne on third-and-5. Rather than go for it on fourth down, coach Matt LaFleur sent Joseph onto the field.

Third Quarter

Broncos 20, Packers 2 (54 seconds remaining)

The Packers are finally on the scoreboard. Zach Morton, who was added to the team after some injuries at the position, looped from his spot at right defensive end. Offensive lineman Will Sherman didn’t see Morton until Morton was burying Zach Wilson in the end zone.

Who is Zach Morton? (Other than the star of the game)https://t.co/2YKSKzIUCM

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 19, 2024

Broncos 20, Packers 0 (2:03 remaining)

Given solid protection, Michael Pratt threw his best ball off the night, a 10-yarder to Samori Toure to convert a third-and-6. However, on the next third down, Pratt’s bomb to Malik Heath was overthrown by about 5 yards.

Broncos 20, Packers 0 (5:11 remaining)

On third-and-3, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto stormed around rookie right tackle Ty’Ron Hopper. Michael Pratt tried to get out of the pocket but he was stripped by rookie outside linebacker Jonah Elliss for the sack/strip/recovery at Green Bay’s 23.

Green Bay’s defense did well to hold the Broncos to Will Lutz’s 39-yard field goal.

Broncos 17, Packers 0 (6:41 remaining)

The Broncos have been penalized nine times for 100 yards. On first down, defensive tackle Spencer Waege drew a holding penalty. Brenton Cox had a good rush on first-and-20 and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper had his team-high seven tackle on second down.

Broncos 17, Packers 0 (8:27 remaining)

The Packers wasted good field position. On fourth-and-1, Michael Pratt’s fastball was a bit high and a bit behind Grant DuBose, and the ball whistled through his hands.

Broncos 17, Packers 0 (10:35 remaining)

Finally, something good has happened for the Packers. Moments after defensive end Arron Mosby forced a chop-block penalty, he got a big-time pressure. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham’s pass was batted a mile high into the Mile High air by undrafted rookie defensive tackle James Ester and was grabbed by linebacker Kristian Welch. Green Bay will start at Denver’s 46.

Halftime

Broncos 17, Packers 0

The first half ended with Michael Pratt replacing Sean Clifford at quarterback. Clifford’s mistake-plagued training camp continued with an interception on the previous series. It’s hard to believe it was coach Matt LaFleur’s plan to put Pratt in the lineup with 30 seconds on the clock.

“Bottom line, it wasn’t good enough,” he said during his halftime interview. “We had a lot of busts all across the board. We threw a pick against a premier look.”

It was a dismal first half for the Packers. Clifford finished 6-of-10 for 43 yards and the interception, though a big chunk of his action came while leading a backups-filled offense against Denver’s No. 1 defense.

Pratt, who took some second-team reps from Clifford at practice this week, might have his chance to take the No. 2 job.

Second Quarter

Broncos 17, Packers 0 (30 seconds remaining)

It took almost the full half for the Packers to finally move the chains on third down. On third-and-4, with left tackle Kadeem Telfort and right tackle Travis Glover giving up pressure, Sean Clifford threw a perfect pass to Malik Heath for a gain of 8.

They did it again moments later when Clifford ran for 11 on third-and-10 – it was a jail break against Green Bay’s offensive line. The Packers crossed midfield when the Broncos were flagged for roughing the passer at the 2-minute warning. However, on the next play, Clifford’s floater to tight end Joel Wilson was off-target and intercepted by defensive back Keidron Smith, whose 56-yard return set up the Broncos at the 14.

On third-and-5, quarterback Jarrett Stidham ran 9 yards for a touchdown. Brenton Cox and Ralen Goforth had chances to tackle Stidham but couldn’t get it done.

Broncos 10, Packers 0 (6:19 remaining)

The Packers forced a punt, thanks to a Broncos false start on fourth-and-1. At the start of the drive, they converted a third-and-17 when tight end Grant Dulcich broke Kalen King’s tackle and gained exactly 17. Ralen Goforth’s penalty for unnecessary roughness tacked on 15 more yards.

Unlike his counterpart, Daniel Whelan, Riley Dixon’s Aussie-style punt hit the ground with a thud and trickled out of bounds at the 5.

Broncos 10, Packers 0 (9:29 remaining)

The Packers went three-and-out. Two runs by Emanuel Wilson gained a yard apiece before Sean Clifford was sacked. On the sack, Royce Newman was plowed into Clifford’s lap; Clifford bought time to the right but was dropped by Zach Allen. On the punt, Ben Sims was beaten by JL Skinner but Skinner roughed punter Daniel Whelan to give the Packers a fresh set of downs.

The opportunity was wasted. Grant DuBose dropped a pass on first down and coach Matt LaFleur’s third-and-5 run to Ellis Merriweather didn’t fool anyone. For the second time, Whelan punted the ball into the end zone for a touchback.

Broncos 10, Packers 0 (13:14 remaining)

It’s been a colossal mismatch with Denver’s starters against Green Bay’s backups, though the Packers’ defensive line is supposed to be a strength but has been steamrolled.

Javonte Williams gained 15 on a screen, Bo Nix hit Tim Patrick for 14, Jaleel McLaughlin exploded through a huge hole for 12 and Nix threw a bullet to veteran receiver Courtland Sutton for 23 to the 4. One play later, Patrick lined up in the slot, ran a hard motion to the right and lost rookie corner Kalen King for an easy touchdown.

Sutton is 8-for-9 for 80 yards and a 140.7 passer rating.

Through one quarter, the Broncos led 92-34 in yards and 6-2 in first downs.

First Quarter

Broncos 3, Packers 0 (4:11 remaining)

The Packers got one first down before faltering. In the battle to be the third tight end, Ben Sims had a 10-yard reception that included 8 yards after the catch. Moments later, Tyler Davis was flagged for holding. A third-and-16 screen to Emanuel Wilson gained 11. Royce Newman, who was starting at left guard, had a great block. Sean Rhyan, who started at center, and receiver Malik Heath did not have good blocks.

Broncos 3, Packers 0 (8:23 remaining)

The only defensive starters on the field for the Packers were linebacker Eric Wilson and safety Javon Bullard. Bullard was joined by fellow rookie safety Evan Williams. In nickel, Anthony Johnson entered at safety and Bullard moved to the slot.

Wilson, third-round rookie Ty'Ron Hopper and undrafted rookie Ralen Goforth were the linebackers. The front should have been fine, though, with Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks.

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix was 4-of-4 for 26 yards. He was almost 5-of-5 for a touchdown but he was just beyond the line of scrimmage on a scramble-drill pass to No. 1 running back Javonte Williams. Will Lutz booted a 37-yard field goal.

Packers 0, Broncos 0 (13:00 remaining)

Offensively, the Packers aren’t playing any of their starters while the Broncos are playing their front-line defenders, including premier cornerback Patrick Surtain. With Sean Clifford at quarterback, a botched snap with Sean Rhyan almost was a disaster but Clifford scooped up the ball, got back to the line of scrimmage and drew a 15-yard facemask.

That was it, though. On third-and-3, his bomb to Malik Heath was thrown about a foot too far and went through Heath’s hands. On fourth-and-3, with Jacob Monk giving up pressure, Clifford’s bomb to Bo Melton was broken up by cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian. The Broncos took possession at Green Bay’s 48.

GO TIME!#GBvsDEN pic.twitter.com/Ovdc7LJS12

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 19, 2024

Packers-Broncos Inactives

As expected, coach Matt LaFleur is sitting most of his projected starters.

Of note, running back AJ Dillon is among the lost list of healthy scratches. For those who thought he might be on the roster bubble, his place on the roster would seem to be secure.

Here’s the list, broken down by position.

Quarterback: Jordan Love

Running backs: Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon, MarShawn Lloyd, Jarveon Howard

Receivers: Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs

Tight ends: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave

Offensive line: Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Donovan Jennings, Josh Myers, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan

Linebackers: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie

Defensive ends: Keshawn Banks, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith

Defensive tackles: T.J. Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark

Safety:  Xavier McKinney

Cornerbacks: Eric Stokes, Jaire Alexander, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine

‘Rip Somebody’s Lips Off’

Will the Packers’ starting center for 2025 be in the starting lineup against the Broncos?

“Jacob, he’s great,” offensive line coach Luke Butkus said of fifth-round pick Jacob Monk. “Watching that film from the game on Saturday was an awesome [and was] not a surprise because I know he’s a tough kid and he works his butt off.”

Butkus continued with a vintage O-line coach quote.

“Before the game during warmups, the look on his face, he was ready to rip somebody’s lips off. That’s the way he played, and it was fun to watch. He loves playing the game. He loves the physicality of it and was really excited for him to get out there and play his first snap.”

Who the heck knows what “rip somebody’s lips off” means, but it’s got to be good for a lineman, right?

“I've never heard that, no,” Monk said on Wednesday. “It's definitely a different phrase for sure.”

In the locker room, Monk is Mr. Nice Guy. At a position group often filled with big personalities, Monk talks with a calm and quiet that doesn’t quite fit with someone who wants to make it impossible for the opponent to drink out of a straw.

“I feel like you've got to play the game a certain way,” Monk said. “There's nothing nice about it. So, you've got to play with extreme passion, extreme anger, but it's controlled anger at the same time. So, I feel like that's something that I've learned over the years. I just wanted to go out there and play angry. But then, over the years, I realized it's got to be controlled anger.”

Monk played 61 snaps against the Browns. He played all three interior positions, including 33 at left guard. His quickness off the board and grown-man strength were obvious in the run game.

“Just finding something to get better at each and every day,” is his goal for Sunday. “I feel like if I continue to do that, I'll get 1 percent better, and then get to continue chasing that ghost. Chasing that ghost of perfection. Who knows if I'll ever get there, but that's the goal.”

Attire at altitude.#GBvsDEN pic.twitter.com/3diiEijZsv

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 18, 2024

Packers at Broncos: How to Watch

TV: The Packers TV Network will air the game live, with CBS Sports’ Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), former Packers fullback John Kuhn (analyst) and Ashley Washburn (sideline) on the call.

Here’s the list of channels.

If you’re not in the viewing area, the game will air live on NFL Network.

Radio: The Packers Radio Network features Wayne Larrivee and Larry McCarren. Here is the list of stations.

Sean Clifford Will Start

Unless coach Matt LaFleur was especially unhappy with how the Jordan Love-led offense played in the joint practice against the Broncos on Friday, Love and most of the staters will not play.

That means second-year quarterback Sean Clifford, who finds himself in a battle with rookie Michael Pratt to be the No. 2 quarterback, will get the start.

If you think Clifford is on edge about losing the backup job he held all of last season, think again.

“It’s super-healthy,” Clifford said of the competition. “That’s the thing, I’m honored to compete with Mike just because I respect him so much as a quarterback. When you come in and you have an opportunity to get better every single day and you know that if you take a day off, he’s not, it raises the level of the competition in the room.”

Clifford had taken the No. 2 reps throughout training camp, but Pratt got some of that action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

So, the plot has thickened in one off the most-important and most-friendly competitions of training camp.

“The only thing that matters is that we’re in Super Bowl contention every single year and we can win the North,” Clifford continued. “For Mike and I, it’s about battling every single day. We know we’re in a competition. It’s super-healthy.

“I respect him so much. He’s a great quarterback, so it’s awesome for me because, if I slip up, he’s going to come back and make a play. We know what’s at stake, but you can still be friendly and have a good, competitive room and just want to win, because that’s what we’re here to do.”

Sounding a lot like kickers Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph, Clifford said he’s ignoring the horserace part of the competition. Rather than keeping track of his touchdowns and interceptions compared to Pratt, Clifford has a next-throw mentality.

“I know it’s cliché to say and it’s like the media answer but it’s true,” Clifford said. “If I go out there this season and start a game, I can’t be thinking about the last play. The only thing that matters is the present, and being able to wash whatever’s happening in the past is an elite trait that I think Jordan has and I’ve continued to learn that.

“I think that’s one of my best attributes is the last play could be the worst play of my career and I’m going to go out and still sling it the next one.”

Receiver Battle

The hottest competition at training camp, not surprisingly, is at receiver.

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are roster locks. The Packers probably will carry six on their 53-man roster, which means Grant DuBose, Bo Melton, Malik Heath and Samori Toure could be fighting for two spots.

Last year, those spots went to Toure and Heath. This year, they could be on the outside looking in.

The next week will be huge, with the game against Denver followed by a joint practice in Green Bay against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday and a preseason game against the Ravens on Saturday.

#Packers WR Bo Melton has had one bad day all summer.

Unfortunately for him, it was the preseason opener at Cleveland. Melton will be looking to rebound tonight in Denver. ⬇️https://t.co/eosifa2ENV

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 18, 2024

In the win against Cleveland last week, DuBose caught 5-of-6 targets in 31 snaps, Heath caught 2-of-4 in 38 snaps and Melton caught 1-of-4 (three drops) in 39 snaps. Toure was targeted only twice (one catch) and played just 20 snaps.

“Everyone wants as many opportunities as possible but, some days, you’ll get some, other days you won’t,” Toure said. “You just have to take advantage of the opportunities you get. It’s hard to do this, but you don’t look at the big picture.

“You can’t play the numbers game. ‘Are we keeping five? Six? Seven? These guys are going to make it, what about these guys?’ You don’t want to do that because you’re going to stress yourself out and you’re not going to focus on what you need to do day-to-day to take advantage of every opportunity you get.”  

Pregame Quote to Note

QB Sean Clifford and his mindset in the backup competition:

“I said this to my fiancée last night, I said no matter what happens, every single play, every single day I’d be really, really pissed if I ever had my last day and I wasn’t having a good time. So, that’s the mentality that I take every day. Just love the game. I’m honored to be here, I’m honored to be a Packer. This is the greatest organization in the NFL, and I’m very proud of having the chance to start this Sunday.”

More Green Bay Packers Training Camp News

With its batteries recharged and some WD-40 applied to get rid of an annoying squeak, our #Packers Lock-O-Meter 2024 has 36 roster locks.

Here's a look at the team's 91-man roster ahead of tonight's game.https://t.co/ybXYuvIkua

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 18, 2024

Packers-Broncos: Roster Lock-O-Meter before game | How to watch Sunday’s game | Practice highlights | Jordan Love part of scuffle | Four players who need good weekend | Quarterbacks take center stage

Latest news and analysis: Bo Melton looking to rebound |  Jalen Wayne’s famous cousin | Biggest roster battles | Grant DuBose plays with right mentality | New Packers LB Chris Russell | New Packers RB Nate McCrary | Quarterback battle | 53-man roster projection (Westendorf) | Waiting game: Love vs. Williams | No. 1 receivers and vomit | 53-man projection (Huber) 

Training camp highlights: Joint practice vs. Broncos | Practice 15 | Practice 14 | Practice 13 | Practice 12 | Practice 11 | Family Night | Practice 9 | Practice 8 | Practice 7 | Practice 6 | Practice 5 | Practice 4 | Practice 3 | Practice 2 | Practice 1