Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers NFL game story

DENVER — Fans from both sides seemed to be enjoying the nice day, not necessarily the game.

At halftime, the Broncos were leading the Green Bay Packers, 9-0 on a perfect late-October Sunday afternoon at sold out but relatively low-energy Empower Field at Mile High.

With the temperature in the mid-70s and bright sunshine splashing the field and stands until the shadows crept in near halftime, fans may have wondered if they should have stayed home and raked leaves.

By early in the second quarter, the Broncos had one drive reach the Packers’ 4 yard line and another to their 10. Yet, the Broncos settled for two, short field goals from Wil Lutz and a 6-0 lead.

Veteran receiver Courtland Sutton had a nice start, diving for a 33-yard catch to convert a third-and-long on the first possession and catching two more passes that converted third downs. He had four catches for 52 yards early in the second quarter.

The Denver defense, meanwhile, continued its strong play of late as it forced the Packers to punt off their first three possessions. With 9:44 left in the first half, the Broncos had 8 first downs to just two for the Packers and the Broncos had outgained the Pack, 142-34.

But again, the Broncos were only up, 6-0.

The Broncos did have a 4-yard touchdown run by Javonte Williams negated by a holding call against extra tackle Quinn Bailey. Otherwise, the Broncos’ red-zone trips had too many plays where Wilson bailed from the pocket and tried in vain to hit receivers on the run.

The Packers finally put together a nice drive near the end of the first half, but Packers rookie kicker Anders Carlson, who graduated from Colorado Classical Academy high school in Colorado Springs, missed a 43-yard field goal attempt with 41 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

That was enough time for Wilson to do his best work. Starting at his own 33 yard line after the Carlson miss, Wilson maneuvered deftly to avoid a sack, then fired a 17-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy along the right sideline. A dump off to Samaje Perine gained another 8 yards. Wilson then took off on a 21-yard scramble up the middle to set up another short field goal by Lutz. His field goals were from 32, 29 and 35 yards.

Embattled Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy got in a tussle away from the ball with Green Bay cornerback Keisean Nixon on the first series. Players from both sides joined in but the play was broken up without major incident. …

Veteran corner Fabian Moreau started ahead Damarri Mathis at the position opposite Pat Surtain II. …

Rookie cornerback Riley Moss was among the Broncos’ inactives.

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