NFL: Defense leads Packers to another win

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers’ defense had another big day to propel the team to a 27-16 win over the Denver Broncos at a rainy Lambeau Field on Sunday.

The defense finished with six sacks and forced three turnovers to help out a Packers’ offense that started fast again but struggled afterward.

Free-agent pickup Preston Smith finished with three sacks and a forced fumble, while Za’Darius Smith, another free agent pickup this past offseason, had two sacks.

Rookie first-round pick Rashan Gary registered his first career NFL sack and also recovered the fumble that Preston Smith forced, while Darnell Savage, the team’s other 2019 first-rounder, picked off his first pass. Second-year corner Jaire Alexander also forced and recovered a fumble.

For a second straight week, the Packers received the opening kickoff and put together a quick scoring drive.

On the fifth offensive play, Aaron Rodgers got a free play after the Broncos jumped offside, and he hit receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in stride for a 40-yard touchdown.

“The pocket was collapsing a little bit, so I just retreated a little bit and just gave Marquez a chance with a high one and he ran under it,” said Rodgers of the play.

“That’s just a great process that he’s (Rodgers) been doing for years,” said coach Matt LaFleur. “It’s a credit to, really, it takes all 11 guys, because somebody jumps offsides. It’s a great job by Corey Linsley recognizing that, snapping the football, and then the big guys up front, they have to block for you. And then Marquez just kept fighting on his route and got down the field. We all know the kind of speed that he has. Just a great job by Aaron hanging in the pocket and making a great throw down the field.”

Denver seemed to have wiped out the momentum after a long kick return, but the Packers’ defense forced a three-and-out.

Rodgers led Green Bay on a long second drive, including a 28-yard pass play to Valdes-Scantling on third-and-15 to extend the series, but it eventually stalled.

Denver then put together a 15-play, 8 minute, 35 second drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run from Phillip Lindsay.

Green Bay regained the lead on a 42-yard Mason Crosby field goal after a seven-play drive. Jamaal Williams broke off a 12-yard run — with a facemask on Denver to end the play — and Rodgers hit Davante Adams for a 22-yard pass to spark the drive.

Not backing down, Denver also put together a drive that ended in a field goal to tie it back up.

After the Packers’ offense went three-and-out, the defense flipped the momentum of the game. On first down, Preston Smith pressured Denver QB Joe Flacco, knocking the ball out. After the ball rolled toward the end zone for a few seconds, Gary fell on top of it at the 5-yard line.

Two plays later, running back Aaron Jones scored on a 7-yard run to put Green Bay up 17-10, and that was the score at halftime.

On the first possession of the second half, the Broncos appeared to pick up a first down after a pass from Flacco to tight end Noah Fant, but Alexander ripped the ball out of his arms to give the Packers’ offense another short field.

The ensuing drive saw Rodgers connect with Valdes-Scantling before hitting fullback Danny Vitale on a 27-yard pass to move the ball to the 1-yard line. Jones capped the drive with his second rushing score of the day.

“The O-line did a great job when we got down there (the red zone),” said Jones. “They made it easy for me, walk-in touchdowns, so any time you get that, it’s a good day.”

Just when it looked like Green Bay would pull away again, the winless Broncos responded. Denver put together another long drive, culminating with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lindsay on fourth down. The Packers looked to have stuffed the play, but a great individual effort by Lindsay allowed him to slip into the end zone and tighten the game back up.

The next Denver offensive possession started at its own 3, but a big passing play got the ball into Green Bay territory. Two plays later, Savage made a diving interception to end the possession.

“Right place, right time,” said the rookie safety. “The guys up front did a great job of getting pressure on the quarterback all day, affecting him, moving him off his spot. They affected the throw on that one and I happened to be standing right there.”

The Packers made it a two-score game on a 41-yard field goal from Crosby with 5:49 to play.

Green Bay’s defense then got sacks from Gary and Preston Smith to get the offense the ball back, but Crosby missed a 45-yard kick.

The Packers’ defense finished off the win when Za’Darius Smith sacked Flacco on the final play.

“It’s complimentary football,” said LaFleur when asked if the defense could keep carrying the team to wins. “And as long as we take care of the football (on offense) and we’re doing a great job of creating turnovers (on defense), then that is a pretty good recipe for success, typically in this league.”

The win moved the Packers to 3-0, keeping them atop the NFC North. Green Bay hosts Philadelphia on Thursday in week four.

Rodgers finished with 235 passing yards, while Jones had 19 rushing yards on 10 attempts. Williams carried the ball 12 times for 59 yards. Valdes-Scantling finished the game with 99 receiving yards, while Adams had four catches for 56 yards.

Blake Martinez led the defense with 12 combined tackles, while Kevin King had nine. Adrian Amos, Tyler Lancaster and Alexander each had seven combined tackles.

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