Bo Nix played arguably the best game of his career in one of the biggest games of his career, and the Broncos are headed back to the playoffs. Nix threw for 303 yards and tied his career-high with four touchdowns while not committing a turnover or taking a sack, and Denver intercepted Jordan Love twice to earn a statement 34-26 win.
Denver has now won 11 straight games, and, combined with the Patriots’ loss to the Bills earlier Sunday, took a one-game lead atop the AFC and clinched a playoff spot.
Green Bay fell to the No. 7 seed in the NFC and, more concerningly, saw superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons suffer a non-contact knee injury. He did not return, and Green Bay reportedly fears he tore his ACL.
The Packers led 23-14 early in the third quarter after Josh Jacobs’ 40-yard touchdown run, and after a Broncos three-and-out, the visitors were looking to be in a good spot.
Then Denver turned it up a notch on both sides of the ball. On the first play of the Packers’ ensuing drive, Patrick Surtain II made his first interception of the season, an incredible diving grab. The Packers also saw Christian Watson exit with a shoulder injury after the play. Denver then took the ball 71 yards over seven plays, with RJ Harvey lunging in from 2 yards out to cut Denver’s deficit to two.
Denver’s defense then got another stop, this time highlighted by Jonah Elliss collecting the first sack of the game for either team. Nix got right back to work and capped the drive with a beautiful 23-yard touchdown to Troy Franklin. Denver led 27-23 after a failed two-point conversion attempt.
Green Bay momentarily stopped the bleeding with a field goal, but Nix’s surge continued. He threw a beautiful go ball to Courtland Sutton to convert a fourth-and-2, and Harvey capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Love tried to answer, but his deep throw was just behind Dontayvion Wicks, and Riley Moss caught the ricochet.
The defense took over from there, including one final stand after the Denver offense curiously turned it over on downs with about a minute to play.
Bo Nix plays his best game as a pro
This was an all-around tremendous game from Nix. He was accurate on short passes and pinpoint on a few crucial deep throws. The fourth-and-2 conversion to Sutton that kept the final touchdown drive was absolutely terrific.
The touchdown pass to Franklin the drive before was just as good — at least.
The four touchdown passes tied a career high, but the zeroes are arguably just as important. Zero turnovers. Zero sacks. Nix was (mostly) smart with the ball, and he extended plays with aplomb against a speedy Green Bay defense. This was an excellent, excellent performance. We know the Broncos’ defense is Super-Bowl caliber. To see Nix play this well in this setting is a huge boost.
Denver defense arrives full force
It took a bit, but the Broncos defense showed why it’s regarded as one of the league’s best in the second half. Love threw for 215 yards and a touchdown during a terrific first half, but he was just 7 for 18 for 61 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in the second half. He also took three sacks.
The interceptions were tremendous — absolute game changers. But the pressure ramping up was a big part of that. Elliss’ sack was a big one to stop a third-quarter drive. The pass rush also torpedoed Green Bay’s penultimate drive: Dondrea Tillman sacked Love on second down, putting the visitors way behind the sticks, and Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto shared a fourth-down sack two plays later.
Denver has 58 sacks this year, 10 more than any other team in the NFL. That’s in large part because they have so many different ways to get after the quarterback. Vance Joseph dials up a variety of different pressure packages and coverage schemes, but most importantly, this is a talented and deep pass-rushing unit.
Packers’ injuries could prove disastrous
There are many aspects of this game specifically the Packers will rue. They scored a touchdown on just one of its four red-zone drive; the Broncos scored on all four of their own. Green Bay didn’t force a turnover or record a sack, and it committed 10 penalties for 72 yards.
But all of those issues pale in comparison to the injuries. Parsons is the clear and obvious headliner. He not only changes the Packers’ trajectory, but the entire league’s. He is an absolute force: 12.5 sacks this season (even after a slow start to the season after being traded and dealing with a back issue) and a 19.5% pressure rate, second in the league.
It’s not just about his numbers, but the opportunities he opens up for others. Now, the Packers have likely lost their top edge rusher and their top interior defender (Devonte Wyatt fractured his ankle on Thanksgiving) in a matter of three games. Those guys are irreplaceable. Rashan Gary must step up; he doesn’t have a sack since late October.
It was no coincidence that Denver’s defense started taking over after Watson’s injury, either. Watson is an outstanding deep threat who has been playing extremely well of late. He completely alters how teams have to defend Green Bay. The Packers will hope for the best regarding his status going forward.
What’s next?
The Broncos are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but it’s far from a done deal. The Broncos host the surging Jaguars in Week 16. After visiting the Chiefs — who will be without Patrick Mahomes — in Week 17, Denver comes home for a Week 18 divisional game against the Chargers.
The Packers are suddenly all the way back to the final spot in the NFC playoff picture. A huge Saturday showdown at the Bears next week looms large.
