ClutchPoints
The Green Bay Packers didn’t lose in Denver because the Broncos were invincible. They lost because once adversity hit, everything just crumbled. What began as a poised, confident road performance turned into a bruising reminder of how fragile margins can be in December. A nine-point second-half lead disappeared. Their offense sputtered, the defense collapsed, and discipline went out the window. By the time the clock hit zero on a 34–26 loss, the Packers were reckoning with how quickly a promising season can tilt when execution, health, and composure fail together.
The Packers lost after blowing a nine-point second-half lead in one of the season’s more jarring momentum swings. Green Bay entered halftime ahead 16–14 and appeared to seize control early in the third quarter. That was after Josh Jacobs powered in for a touchdown to make it 23–14. From there, though, the game flipped.
Jordan Love threw two second-half interceptions, while Denver capitalized on defensive breakdowns, special teams miscues, and short fields. The loss dropped Green Bay to 9–4–1. It was also compounded by injuries to several key contributors, most notably Micah Parsons. His non-contact knee injury late in the third quarter coincided with the Packers’ defensive collapse. Once Parsons exited, Denver dictated terms. The Broncos scored repeatedly and pushed Green Bay down to the NFC’s seventh seed.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Green Bay Packers most to blame for their Week 15 loss to the Broncos.
Love was excellent until he wasn’t. For two quarters, he looked completely unfazed by Denver’s relentless pass rush. He delivered throws on time and guided an offense that consistently moved the chains. Green Bay’s first-half 16 points could have been more if not for a handful of self-inflicted mistakes.
The turning point came with the Packers up by nine points early in the second half. Love took a deep shot toward Christian Watson with pressure closing in. He tried to give his top target a chance downfield. Patrick Surtain II read it perfectly. He stepped in front for the interception and flipping momentum instantly. Worse, Watson was injured on the play. It removed Love’s primary vertical threat.
From that moment on, the Packers’ offense collapsed. Love and the unit managed just three points the rest of the way. On three separate fourth-quarter possessions with chances to tie the game, Green Bay came up empty. One drive ended with a misfired throw intercepted by Riley Moss. Denver’s pressure mounted, and Love was sacked three times in the second half. The calm command he showed early vanished under duress.
Love finished with two interceptions and three sacks, all after halftime. Against elite defenses, one bad quarter can undo an entire afternoon. That’s exactly what happened.
If the Packers’ comeback hopes died anywhere specific, it was in the trenches. Green Bay’s offensive line simply could not hold up late.
The fourth quarter was a disaster. Love was sacked twice in rapid succession...
