Packers struggle again in loss to last-place Broncos on another rough day for Jordan Love
After a tepid first half, the Green Bay Packers rallied to take a late lead against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
It didn't last. The Broncos responded with a go-ahead field goal, and Green Bay's last gasp came up short on a deep throw from Jordan Love into double coverage that was intercepted by safety P.J. Locke. The turnover secured a 19-17 Broncos win.
🔒🔒🔒
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/fWPOZx32yJ— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 22, 2023
The late turnover capped another tough day for Love and the Packers' offense in a loss to a last-place Broncos team that entered Sunday with a 1-5 record. Love finished the day completing 21 of 31 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and the late interception as the Packers failed to score more than 20 points for a fourth straight game. Green Bay failed to capitalize against a defense that entered Sunday allowing a league-high 33.3 points per game.
The day started ominously for the Packers, as none of Green Bay's first-half drives produced more than 47 yards. The Packers failed to find the scoreboard, and the Broncos entered halftime with a 9-0 lead.
Then the Packers mounted a second-half rally. They drove 64 yards to get on the board with a field goal to open the second half. They then took the lead with touchdowns on back-to-back drives.
Love's first scoring pass saw wide receiver Romeo Doubs fight with cornerback Pat Surtain II in the end zone to secure the score. Both players came down to the ground with two hands on the ball. Since the tie goes to the offense, the Packers secured the touchdown instead of turning the ball over.
GO UP & GET IT, @RomeoDoubs!
TOUCHDOWN 🙌
#GBvsDEN | #GoPackGo
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ak4qBT6B2G— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 22, 2023
A better ball would've led Doubs to the corner of the end zone with a clear path at securing the ball without a fight, but he ensured that it didn't matter.
Love's second touchdown required some good luck after Doubs failed to secure a considerably easier catch. This one bounced off Doubs' hands at the goal line and up into the air before Jayden Reed secured it on the ricochet for the score.
.@RomeoDoubs deflects it, @JaydenReed5 catches it! 🤯
TOUCHDOWN 🙌
#GBvsDEN | #GoPackGo
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/Uc6V5znpSO— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 22, 2023
That touchdown secured Green Bay's first and only lead of the game at 17-16.
The Broncos responded with a 52-yard Wil Lutz field goal on their ensuing possession to retake the lead at 19-17. Green Bay retook possession with 3:50 remaining and a chance to drive for a go-ahead score. But a holding penalty put the Packers behind the sticks at second-and-20 near midfield two plays before Love's fateful interception secured the Denver win.
The loss drops the Packers to 2-4 and marks their third straight loss after a promising 2-1 start in Love's first season as starting quarterback. Love has thrown 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he leaves Sunday with a 57.5% completion rate on the season.
An offense that entered Sunday ranked 28th in the league in yards per game (281.6) was only marginally better, with 331 yards against a Broncos defense that allowed a league-worst 440.3 yards per game entering Sunday's action.
After three seasons on the Packers' bench behind Aaron Rodgers, Love was given the keys to the offense for 2023. Through six games, there's significant room for improvement.