The good, the bad and the ugly of the Packers’ preseason win over Denver

THE GOOD

GOOD LUCK: The Packers opened the game with a 12-play, 63-yard touchdown drive. However, they needed a break to do so.

Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson appeared to lose a fumble when Denver cornerback Pat Surtain fumbled the ball. The Packers offense left the field, but returned after Watson was ruled down before fumbling.

That gave the Packers new life and they took advantage of it.

Jordan Love hit Matthew Golden for 20 yards on fourth-and-1. MarShawn Lloyd had a first down that he converted by just inches. Lloyd then had an 11-yard touchdown reception when he broke free over the middle and escaped linebacker Dondrea Tillman.

SUMMER LOVE: Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love played one series and his preseason is likely already over.

Love led the Packers on a touchdown drive, going 5 of 7 for 56 yards and a touchdown. If Love’s preseason is truly over, he will finish 8-of-12 for 74 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a 111.11 passer rating.

Green Bay scored 10 points on Love’s two possessions.

DIFFERENT GEAR: Green Bay hasn’t had a hot running back since Aaron Jones left town after the 2023 season. If MarShawn Lloyd can stay healthy, he’ll change that.

On Lloyd’s 11-yard touchdown catch, he beat linebacker Dondrea Tillman on a Texas route and went free over the middle.

Lloyd, of course, has played only one game (and 10 snaps) in his first two seasons due to injuries. However, Lloyd, a third-round pick in 2024, has stayed healthy this summer and is showing why he was the fourth running back selected that year.

“Any time you see guys go through things and then come back out, you can see the joy in them,” Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said of Lloyd. “And I’m happy for him. He’s doing a great job with his opportunities. I think he has a chance to help us this year, which would be fantastic.”

SMACK ATTACK: Green Bay rookie kicker Trey Smack has been shaky on the practice field all summer. However, he has been a different guy in games.

Smack made all four of his field goal attempts, converting from 59, 51, 43 and 38 yards. Smack also went 3-for-3 on field goals in the Packers’ preseason opener in Pittsburgh, making kicks of 58, 38 and 37 yards.

Smack also had another 58-yarder in the first preseason game the Packers took off the board following a Pittsburgh penalty.

Smack is 7 of 7 from the field this preseason, three of them from more than 50 yards. Unless something strange happens in the next week, Smack will almost certainly be the Packers’ Week 1 kicker at Minnesota.

“That’s my job,” Smack said. “I have to make kicks, so I have to treat it like it’s my job, and I have to get on with it. Build on the trust part. That’s what I’m supposed to do. That’s why I’m here. That’s how I look at it.”

WHERE THERE IS WILL: Green Bay’s Will Sheppard, fighting for one of the last wide receiver spots, helped his cause on Friday.

Sheppard made a sensational 2-yard touchdown grab in the left corner of the end zone. Sheppard caught Tyrod Taylor’s pass and then narrowly managed to get both feet down before going out of bounds.

Sheppard finished his big night with six catches for 47 yards.

CORNER ROTATION: Rookie Brandon Cisse and Keisean Nixon were Green Bay’s starting cornerbacks. Cisse left after one series, indicating he is a lock for Week 1, and was replaced by Benjamin St-Juste.

Nixon and St-Juste then played together in a series.

Nixon and Carrington Valentine were Green Bay’s starters last season. Valentine went down early in camp with a hamstring injury, was replaced by Cisse and has been buried ever since. Nixon and St-Juste fight for the other position.

“I firmly believe that competition will bring out the best in people,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “I want everyone to do their part. If they feel like they have something to prove, they’ll probably get more out of it.”

THIS AND THAT: Green Bay safety Mark Perry had an interception late in the first half that led to a 43-yard Trey Smack field goal. … Running back Pierre Strong, fighting for a roster spot, had a 68-yard kickoff return. … For better or worse, the Packers’ No. 1 offensive line was (from left) Jordan Morgan, rookie Jager Burton, Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk and Anthony Belton. … Kamal Hadden read a screen pass perfectly and tackled running back Jonah Coleman for a 2-yard loss. … Isaías Neyor made a sensational 9-yard reception where he reached out and grabbed the tip of a finger. Neyor later had a 27-yard reception from No. 3 quarterback Kyle McCord. … Skyy Moore, signed this offseason to help in the return game, had a 30-yard kick return to open the game. … The Packrs scored on seven of their nine possessions.

BAD

MISSING IN ACTION: The Packers who did not dress were running backs Micah Parsons and Dani Dennis-Sutton, wide receiver Jayden Reed, running back Josh Jacobs, safety Javon Bullard, cornerback Carrington Valentine, offensive linemen Aaron Banks, Zach Bako-Bewele and Darian Kinnard, tight ends Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, long snapper Matt Orzech and defensive linemen Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave and Jordon Riley.

THIS AND THAT: Right guard Jacob Monk received a holding penalty on Green Bay’s first possession. … Receiver Isaías Neyor fumbled a pass. … Cornerback Kitan Oladapo received a 12-yard pass interference penalty. … The Packers averaged a mediocre 3.7 yards per rush.

THE UGLY

HELPLESS: Denver marched 65 yards in six plays on its first touchdown drive.

Running back RJ Harvey faced linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and whipped him for a 21-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bo Nix. Three plays earlier, Denver receiver Jaylen Waddle smoked Packers safety Xavier McKinney for 35 yards.

On both plays Green Bay’s pressure was non-existent.

The Packers’ No. 1 defense has shined on the practice field most days this summer. However, it was a much different story against the Broncos.

Come Week 1 in Minnesota, Green Bay must find a way to generate pressure without star running back Micah Parsons. That didn’t happen Friday and Denver took advantage.