The Denver Broncos hosted the Green Bay Packers in a preseason matchup at Empower Field at Mile High on Friday, August 22, 2026. The game marked an important milestone for Denver, as quarterback Bo Nix made his return to action following a season-ending ankle injury sustained after the team’s playoff victory over Buffalo. Nix demonstrated efficiency in his limited snaps, completing six of nine passes for 76 yards and one touchdown with a 129.9 passer rating across his first two drives.
The contest remained competitive early, with both teams trading field goals and touchdowns through the first half. Denver kicker Wil Lutz connected on a 53-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 10-7 lead at one point. However, Green Bay’s kicker Trey Smack proved particularly effective, making three successful field goal attempts from 51, 59, and 43 yards. The Packers extended their lead significantly in the second half, ultimately prevailing 33-13. Head coach Sean Payton remained optimistic about Nix’s readiness for the regular season, noting that the quarterback had moved well at practice with no restrictions.
Defensive standouts for Denver included Pat Surtain II, who forced a fumble, and Que Robinson, who recorded multiple pressures. However, the team struggled with mistakes across all three phases of play, including a defensive breakdown that allowed Green Bay to capitalize. The loss ended Denver’s preseason winning streak, providing Payton with opportunities to address execution issues before the regular season opener.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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