Broncos lead 17-0 against Packers at halftime
The Broncos extended their lead to 10 when Nix rolled out with 13:14 left in the first half and Tim Patrick missed a 2-yard touchdown on a play-action play.
On the next possession against Denver’s starting defense, the Green Bay Packers were three-and-out, but they got another chance after JL Skinner was flagged for “brutal force against the kicker” when he made contact with the standing leg of Packers punter Daniel Whelan.
Green Bay had to punt again after another three-and-out and Denver took over at their own 20-yard line after a 58-yard punt by Whelan that went into the end zone and led to a touchback.
Jarrett Stidham replaced Nix on Denver’s third possession. Green Bay had Denver on a third-and-18, but Stidham hit Greg Dulcich for 18 yards. The Broncos advanced to the 46-yard line after Ralen Goforth was whistled for unnecessary roughness.
Denver elected to punt for the first time after Alex Palczewski was given a false start penalty as the Broncos attempted to punt the ball on fourth and one at the Green Bay Packers’ 45-yard line.
The Packers took over after Riley Dixon’s 45-yard punt at their own 5. Emanuel Wilson gained six yards on first down after left tackle Kadeem Telfort created some space.
On third and fourth, Clifford connected with Heath on an 8-yard out for a first down. Clifford then kept the ball himself on an 11-yard scramble on third and 10 to continue the drive. An 8-yard pass to Heath set up the third and 1 at the two-minute warning.
A penalty for “unnecessary roughness against the passer” against Jonah Elliss gave the Green Bay Packers new opportunities to attack at Denver’s 46-yard line. Clifford attempted a long pass to Joel Wilson on the next play, but Blake Watson intercepted him and returned the intercepted ball 56 yards to the Packers’ 14-yard line with 1:43 minutes left.
On the third and fifth attempts, Stidham scored a 9-yard touchdown to increase the Broncos’ lead to 17-0 with 30 seconds left in the first half.
Rookie Michael Pratt entered the game during the final series of the first half, but the Packers decided to run out the clock with a handoff to Ellis Merriweather.
