December 14, 2025 • 44 mins
The FANs Dave Sinykin breaks down the Packers game against the Broncos in Denver.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time for Packers Preview again. Boom talking about the
Packer the Super Bowl. We're gone win again, according to
your host David Sinnecon will win on the road, We'll
win at home. Willieven win in the US Bank Stadium.
(00:22):
Mike's fans can call it, but you've got the balls
the Packers Preview Show.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Welcome to year thirty of Packer Preview on the Fan,
now live from the KFA and studios the head cheese himself,
Dave Sinnakin.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Good morning, Packer fans, and welcome to the week fifteen
edition of Packer Preview on the Sports Leader and the
home of the Vikings KFA n iHeartRadio. Great to be
with you on this Packer game day as the Packers
get set to try to extend their win streak to
five against another team that's streaking rather nicely be Denver Broncos,
the top seed and the AFC winners of ten straight,
(01:03):
winners of ten straight at home.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Packers will try to.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Bust those streaks, just as they busted the Bears winning
streak a week ago and stay right up there near
the top of the NFC picture. Will spend this next
hour getting you set for this game, obviously previewing the strengths,
the weaknesses, where the matchups help, where they don't help,
the injuries, all that fun stuff. We will get some
Broncos intel from a guy who covers a team very
(01:29):
closely in Denver named Zach Segers at KOA Radio. He
also hosts a podcast called Let's Talk Broncos. We'll talk
to Zach about a half hour from now get his
thoughts on a big matchup that I think we'll tell
a lot about both teams. I think there are question
marks certainly on both teams. Packers need to prove they
can go on the road in a tough spot against
a great defense and take care of business Denver eleven
(01:50):
and two. But we'll go through the cavalcade of backup
and rookie quarterbacks they've beaten to get to that record.
It's not very impressive, but you play who's on your schedule,
and they can take a big step by knocking down
a Super Bowl contender like the Packers and really put
a real emphasis on that they are serious contenders. In
a wide open topsy Turvy AFC Brett Blake Moore, as
(02:14):
we weave you in, as we always do it.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Packer Preview.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I'm going to remind you or tell you when I
think of Packers Broncos. I have two very distinct memories
of this matchup. Packers only won one time ever in
the city of Denver. You were just a young kid
at the time. Twenty oh seven overtime Packers get the ball.
This is before you each get the ball right. First
(02:36):
play from scrimmage from the times I know, ye way
back when it wasn't very fair. First play from scrimmage
five goes back. He's Greg Jennings eighty five yard touchdown
ballgame that was very memorable and then not so memorable.
Super Bowl thirty two, of course, the loss to the
Broncos and John Elway. That was year number two of
Packer Preview. And I remember I was at Cabs Pub,
(02:57):
the original sponsor of this program, on the east side
of Say and Paul, watching that game and was surprised
when I got there to find that I wasn't the
only quote unquote celebrity at the Super Bowl party there.
Viking legend Bill Brown was there as well, the Crotchety
sixty something at the time defensive back great player. Uh
still hated the Packers to that moment, So I had
(03:18):
to sit next to him for three hours and listen
to him talk about how he hates everything green and gold.
And then, of course when the Broncos won the game,
I had to listen to him for a while. So, yeah,
that that stays with you. How many years later they.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Should never wear the white uniforms during a Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Well, no, they run them today. Witness.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Yes, the Winter Warning uniforms are back. White on white
packers are four and oh all time, I think three
and o this season wearing the Winter Warning uniforms. At
least two. They're unbeaten, that's for sure. When they wear
the white on whites. They will wear those today and
what will be a very mild day in Denver, temperature
is hitting sixty degrees. And I know you and I
(03:56):
have both thought a lot about this game through this week,
coming off a scintillating win over the Bears, one that
you know, you had the double digit lead halftime into
the second half and you're feeling really good, and kudos
to Chicago to stay in that game and make it
close until the dagger buy a Keishawn Nixon on fourth
and one. Following that game, did you feel better about
(04:18):
where this Packer's team sits right now, where you're still
a little concerned because you were less confident heading into
that Bears game than I was.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Well, I was concerned about the run de and just
how potent you know the Bears run game is, and
they for the most part shut them down.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
No runs of over nine yards?
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Yeah, correct, So I mean they could move the chains
and they had some sustained drives, especially in that third
going into the fourth quarter, but other than that it
was pretty good. So I'm I'm more confident. I think
this today has to be a Matt Lafleur day where
because the pass rush and the defense for Denver is
what is the main Bonnicks is fine, He's not great,
(04:54):
but he's not terrible either. He's serviceable. But what's making
this run happen for the Broncos opinion is the defense.
How good the pass russ is. So that's a Matt
Lafleur job to either get the ball out of Love's
hands or scheme in a way to where you have
those quick slants and quick hot routes and hot reads
and you know, all the buzzwords you want. They they've
got to have a good game plan today.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yeah, for sure, Packers offense versus Broncos defense. That's where
you grab your popcorn and watch and see what happens.
That's the big matchup, Great on Great. So we will
break that down completely today. What the Broncos do well,
what the Packers can do. As you know, the Packers
have won four in a row. They are road favorites today,
one and a half point favorites. The lines come down
(05:35):
about a point. It's got a lot of folks that
cover the Broncos and follow the Broncos. A bit upset,
a bit disappointed, a bit confused about why their team
is a home underdog. They won ten straight at home,
ten straight overall, who are they to be underdogs? But again,
you look at the teams they've played, what the Packers
do well. This feels like a complete toss up sort
(05:58):
of game between Matt Lafleur and Payton and his defensive
coordinator Van Vance Joseph. So, as you know, this starts
the final four game stretch. Packers will have three of
these final four games on the road. When we meet
again a week from right now, Packers will already play
the Broncos and Bears on the road will have a
very clear understanding of where they sit for the North
(06:20):
and for the playoffs. As we sit here today, they
have a ninety five percent chance to reach the postseason,
a sixty eight percent chance to win the NFC North.
They sit as the number two seed in the NFC,
just a half game behind the Los Angeles Rams. So
lot will be known a week from now with these
two big road games coming up.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
And you know, as you'll worry.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
A little bit about the game sandwich between the two
Big Bears games, But when you're playing the team like Denver,
I have less concerns. Maybe Chicago hosting Cleveland, maybe they
take their foot off the gas a bit. Looking ahead
to the Pack on Saturday night, and they stumble out
of the playoff picture a bit with a loss, we'll
see be a very interesting day in the National Football League.
The Packers have been very good against the AFC. They've
(07:03):
won nine of their last ten games against AFC teams. Obviously,
this is a entirely different test, a very difficult test
on the road in altitude against a very hot Denver
Broncos team. The story injury wise for the Pack is
the running back position. As you know, Josh Jacobs questionable,
did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Returned on Friday. The
(07:24):
knee swelled up during the Bears game. They did an
MRI early in the week. No structural issues, just a
swollen knee that's banged up and probably won't get better
until he gets a whole lot of rest, so he
believes he will play. Then yesterday it popped up that
Emmanuel Wilson, his backup, was added to the injury list
(07:45):
with an illness. And that's obviously concerning. Now you've got
your top two running backs listed as questionable. Wilson extra motivation.
He was brought in as a rookie by the Broncos undrafted.
Seventy two hours later he was cut and so little.
Couple stories this week about the chip that rests on
his shoulder and a chance to maybe go play against
(08:05):
the team that didn't give him a shot. The good
news is overnight reporting by NFL Networks. Tom Pallasero, friend
of the fan, says that Josh Jacobs is expected to
play today. Emmanuel Wilson also expected to play. We'll see
how he feels this morning. Packers did activate third string
or actually fourth string back. I guess Pierre Strong junior
(08:26):
off the practice squad, so he is active and eligible,
but if those two guys can play, he will not
be active on the roster today. Is a guy that'll
be suited up and set to play, So good news.
Out of the running back position. It sounds like both
Jacobs and Wilson will be good to go. Also questionable
for the pack Lucas van Nests Saveon Williams Christian Welch.
(08:46):
All three of those guys fifty to fifty Denver very healthy. Really,
all they're missing is a wide receiver rookie Pat Bryant,
who's been kind of a nice player of late. He's
out today and they're right. Tackle Mike McGlinchey is questionable
as well today. I think most signs point to him
being good to go in this one. Let's talk a
(09:07):
bit about the Packers defense today against the Denver Broncos
offense led by second year quarterback BONNICKX, who you know
is as Brett said, you know, he's kind of up
and down. He's had some really nice games and some
really nice comebacks. They've they've been a very good fourth
quarter team. He's been able to engineer some amazing comebacks.
(09:27):
The one against the Giants comes to mind at home
where they were getting beat. I mean, they scored like
what twenty eight points in the fourth quarter, And that's
what kind of gives you pause about Denver, because they
really struggled to beat a terrible Giants team. The Raiders
gave them trouble where they couldn't really score against a
below average Raiders defense. But Bownicks has developed into a
(09:47):
nice quarterback. He throws on the run a lot like
Caleb Williams twenty six percent of his dropbacks. He leaves
the pocket and goes on the run. He also runs
the ball fairly effectively. He's got some nice legs. He
will use those, especially if the Packers are overly aggressive
in the pass rush.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
What he doesn't have.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Is a real prominent, productive set of skill players. It's
not a group that's going to scare you too much.
They lost their starting running back JK. Dobbins earlier in
the season, so rookie R. J. Harvey has gotten the call.
He's gotten better as the season's gone on. He had
a nice game last week both as a running back
and a receiver out of the backfield receiving corps. You know,
(10:25):
Cortland Sutton. He's a nice red zone target and third
down guy, but again kind of middling. Troy Franklin, Marvin
Mims again just not a huge, hugely productive or scary
set of skill position players. So I think there's an
opportunity for the Packers defense today Brett to handle their business.
It's going to be incumbent upon them to get pressure
(10:46):
on bow Knicks. Obviously, this is a great offensive line.
That's the strength of their offense. They are the number
one pass blocking offensive line in the NFL. They've only
given up seventeen sacks so and part of that is
because bo Nicks at the first sign of trouble runs away.
And he's a guy that you know will throw the
ball away rather than take a sack. So you got
to make him uncomfortable, make him try to beat you.
(11:08):
I do think, uh, when you look at the strength
on strength, that the Packers defense is the better unit
on the field, clearly.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
And that's to me when you swing the game.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
When you look at next segment, we'll talk about Packers
offense against the vaunted Broncos defense that's really great on
great in this case, when the Packers have the ball, sorry,
when the Broncos have the ball, I don't know how
many points they can score against the Packers defense. I'm
really interested to see how the pack defense responds today.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Yeah, last week Michael Parson said what was where He's
asked what was it like chasing Caleb Williams. He said,
quote Matt annoying, And I think it could be in
for another one of those days where it can't be
so much the sat I mean, I hope it is,
but it's got to be more of just the pressures
and just forcing him out. And I know he likes
to do that, and he likes to throw on the run.
But in doing that, you hope you have a pick
(11:56):
or two in the works. In the secondary's got to
pick up some of the slack because the pass rush,
the pressure is going to be there, but I don't
know if the sacks will necessarily be there. So the
coverage in the secondary has to be good today to
account for us gramblin QB.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
I also found it interesting Sean Payton was asked about
Micah Parsons and how do you deal with him?
Speaker 4 (12:14):
And he said he put.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Him in a choke hold. Well, apparently that might work.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
He's going to approach it like he approaches Max Crosby,
the great pass rusher for the Raiders. They've already played
the Raiders twice. Very careful to watch when Crosby would
come out of the game to catch a breather, and
they took some deep shots and some chances when Crosby
was off the field. We know Micah takes a few
plays off. He needs to man. I mean, he's a
motor that does not stop and he needs to catch
(12:40):
his breath every now and then. So I'm going to
watch very carefully when they show us that Mike is
catching his breath on a first down or maybe a
second and short whenever they take their chances there, and
see if Sean Payton dials up something fun for him
knowing that number one is not across the line.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Just something to watch today.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Well then Shan Gary, hello, you know the rest of
the pass rush like you got to get home when
Mike has taking a breather.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yeah, it'd be nice to have Lucas fans on the field.
It's kind of been a lost season way back, remember
when the season started. Maybe this is a breakout season
for Lucas fedness. He'd shown so much in the preseason.
Third year now after being a not very much used
player at Ioway. Remember he didn't even start for the Hawkeyes,
so it might take a little longer for him. This
was going to be the year, but it's been a
lost season for him by injury. There's still a month left.
(13:25):
He can still rewrite the story. This would be a
nice time to get that thing going because he's a
guy that does have some speeds and athleticism and on
a team that is going to stretch out plays and
a quarterback that's going to extend plays. Having another talented
pass rusher on the field today would certainly be helpful.
So healthy Packer defense for the most part, which is
(13:45):
very encouraging. I thought last week, you know, Evan Williams
was a stud. He is developing into a Pro Bowl
caliber safety. Packers with McKinney and Williams have about as
good a pair of safeties as you'll find in the
National Football League. And you know, getting quite back last week,
getting his feet wet, getting back into action. Yeah, I
feel good about this defense. I'm just really interested to
(14:06):
see how they deal with an uncommon opponent in altitude
where again you might have Micah and some of these
guys needing breathers in the thin air. SA's not a
team that scores a ton of points Denver. So when
the Packers are on defense, this is the time the
Packers need to take charge because it's gonna get awfully
tough when that Denver defense is on the field, which
(14:27):
we'll talk about it a bit.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Yes, they've got their hands fall. It's a serviceable, smart quarterback.
I mean, yeah, he's got a mistake in him, but
I wouldn't say he's turnover prone. He's going to throw
it to us a hundred times, but there's chances, and
there will be chances. The pass rush has got to
get home when they can. But a guy that's so
elusive and athletic, it's going to be tough. So I
think it's going to be have to be a secondary McKinney.
(14:50):
Evan Williams a Bollard type game.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Sean Payton obviously helps him out a lot. We can't
stand Sean Payton at all. I'm sure most of us listening,
whether you're a Packer fan, are a few Viking fans
that might be straggling and up and early and listening.
We welcome you, We know you. He Sean Payton as well.
He's six and two against the Pack as a head coach,
so he's had some success against Green Bay. Obviously not
a lot of those against Matt Lafleur. But he helps
a young quarterback get the best out of himself, knowing
(15:16):
that he knows what dials to push, buttons to push,
dials to turn all that fun stuff for a young quarterback.
So the matchup between Peyton and Jeff Hafley will be
very interesting to watch and something to be very dangerous.
That's very dangerous and something to be very very careful
about special teams and it's not been an issue the
last few weeks, but this is a team with an
(15:36):
all Pro punk returner in Marvin Mims. He took one
of the house last week against the Raiders that in
a close game kind of made things easy for Denver.
Packers have to not allow special teams to tip the
field in this game and Mims is outstanding. So maybe
the best defense is just don't punt today. But against
that defense that might be a bit easier said than do.
(15:58):
Marvin min scares me a little bit can tip the
field at a second.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
He had a return last week from not mistake seventy yards.
Oh yeah, tell you yeah, We've I don't want to
say we've been due for a special teams blunder, but
they've been good at not having special teams blunders. And
you know, I am a car carrying member of the
Daniel will and appreciates society. So I mean he could
pin him deep, and he is a good enough puncher
to do so.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
The premier matchup again is going to be the Packers offense,
Jordan Love against Nick Benito, all those stars on the
Denver defense. This is one of the top defenses the
Packers will face all season, if not the best.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
It's right there with Cleveland.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
We know that didn't go exceptionally well early in the season,
but the Packers' offensive line looks a lot different. When
we come back, we'll talk about the Packers offense against
that defense. We'll hear from Matt Lafleur, we'll hear from
Jordan Love, and we'll look at the key matchups that
make me feel somewhat confident about the packs chances today.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Tell all the people across the USA, I love my
Green Bay Packers, who won the first Superposed I.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Haven't play.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Packer, you watch you by JJ Rufin.
Speaker 6 (17:13):
Good morning Packer fans. Is day from Shack. What a
good game we saw last against the Bears. But we
got the Broncos this week and they got a good
d as well. And to win, it's going to be
about staying bounced and keeping the third downs to a
manageable distances. And on defense, let's get a double digital
lead and keep the Broncos running game away a bed.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
That way, the Pack wins.
Speaker 7 (17:36):
Go Pack Go, Good morning Packer fans, Old Salt side guy.
Football at it's basic is a simple game that we
all make complex. First, you need three basic things to
be successful. You need a quarterback. Secondly, you need to
protect that quarterback. Third, on defense, you need to get
to that opposing quarterback. That's what I'll be watching Jordan
(17:59):
Love protecting him and getting to the quarterback. Let's get
those three working, Golpack.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Those started doomed plans go.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
Should have stayed in.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Thanks for checking in, gentlemen.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
You're always welcome to leave your thoughts on the talkback
button on the iHeartRadio app. We appreciate those very much.
Hope you guys are well as we get set for
Packers Broncos three twenty five kickoff today, Nance and Romo
game on CBS. You'll see it locally on Channel four
here in the Twin Cities. Packers offense against this top
five Broncos defense maybe the best unit the Packers have faced.
(18:33):
Cleveland was probably the other great one that didn't go
well early in the season.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Obviously just ten points.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Offensive line was a shambles that game, Injuries devastating that unit.
Packers O line has been resurgent since they made the
move to but Anthony Beldon, that right guard, Sean Ryan's
been very good at center, so things are starting to
come together. And Aaron Banks finally looks like he's starting
to get show that he's worth the massive payday he got.
He's been very good now that he's healthier. The interior
(19:01):
of that line has gotten better. They will be tested,
all five guys by a Denver defense that's top five
across the board. Just pick a category. Fifty five sacks
leads the NFL. They're potentially on a record pace for sacks.
They're the fourth scoring defense if they give up the
second fewest explosive plays. The Packers offense tends to live
on explosive plays fourth and pressure rate. They're very good
(19:25):
against the run number one yards per carry, but they
can be beat on inside runs. They're twenty fifth against
inside runs. So look for the Packers to attack with
Jacobs and or Wilson between the tackles today. Just a
really good defense, as Jordan Love discussed earlier this week.
Speaker 8 (19:41):
Yeah, I think, you know, obviously they're a very good defense.
You know, probably one of the best defense we've seen
all year. And the numbers are all kind of back that.
But you know, obviously the pass rush they have, the
sacks they've been able to generate. I mean, you look
at the defense all across the board. I think they
got really good players, I mean, a really good scheme.
So it'll be a good test for us to be
able to go out there and you see what we
(20:01):
can do as offense.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Indeed it will.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
And here are a few things that make me feel
good about the Packers' chances offensively. Besides the fact that,
as you know, it's Toyota than season and Jordan Love
hums and plays his best ball this time of year,
the Packers have placed the Broncos have faced three teams
with a positive EPA per play, expected points added for play,
the analytic data point that a lot of folks look
(20:26):
at when it comes to really effective offenses. Those three
teams the Packers have faced, or sorry that the Broncos
have faced, Indye, Kansas City in Dallas, those positive EPA
offenses all scored points against this Broncos defense. They averaged
twenty four points a game the Colts, Chiefs and Broncos.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
So against good.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Offenses, Broncos have given up twenty four points a game.
And then you look at all right, so they're really
good again. Across the board. Nick Bonito has as many
sacks as Micah Parsons twelve and a half. He is fantastic.
His matchup against Rashid Walker that might determine the game.
Walker has been the weak link, likely a guy that's
not in the Packers' future plans. He's been fine, he's
(21:09):
been solid, but he's given up like twenty eight pressures.
This will be his biggest test against Nick Benito. Zach
Allen Jonathan Cooper has seven and a half sacks. Their
linebackers are great, Drake Greenlaws really good. Their secondary Patrick's Artan,
the reigning defensive player of the Year, will likely chase
Christian Watson around all day their slock corner. J Kwan
(21:30):
McMillan is a Pro Bowl candidate who might be assigned
Jayden Reid. How nice it was it to see him
back in the flow of the offense and get in
touches early last week. So they've got talent across the board.
Here's where I question the defense just a bit, mister Blakemore.
They're eleven and two, probably a couple of years ahead
(21:50):
of schedule as far as the Broncos organization where they
thought they might be with their young quarterback. But this
defense has put up great numbers. Here are eight of
the election seven quarterbacks. This defense is beaten.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
This year.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
They have eleven wins. Eight of those wins have come
against cam Ward the rookie in his very first start
season opener, Jake Browning with the Bengals, Jackson Dart, Davis Mills,
Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota, and Geno Smith twice.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
So forgive me.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
If I'm not barely Gino Smith correct.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Correct in one of them. Even last week looked better
than it was. I mean, the pot return kind of
opened it up.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
But yes, eight of those eleven wins have come against
either rookies, backups, or in Gino's case, a guy in
a team whose offense is broken and they fired their
offensive coordinator. So again, am I taking something away from
their defense? I don't know, maybe a little, because again,
eight of these eleven wins have come against lousy quarterbacks.
The three other wins, sorry, the three other quarterbacks they
(22:50):
played Daniel Jones. They gave up twenty nine points to
the Colts in a loss Jalen hurts. They beat the
Eagles twenty one to seventeen, but we all know the
Eagles offense is nothing like it's looked the last few years.
And Patrick Mahomes in a twenty two to nineteen win.
And again, this Chiefs offense is nothing like what we've seen.
So I mean, really, this offense they're facing today is
(23:12):
the most productive and talented offense that defense has gone against.
I'm not saying the Packers are going to score forty
on them, but I am saying, let's take all these
stats with a tiny pinch of salt, because they haven't
faced a cavalcade.
Speaker 4 (23:25):
Of starting quarterbacks to this point this season.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
The numbers might be fluffed a little bit, is what
they're said just a bit. Yeah, I mean, I agree,
I don't think that it's going to be this explosive,
and I hope it is. I don't think it's going
to be this explosive four touchdown game. I mean, if
I don't know what the overunder.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
Is, it's like forty two forty three.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
I might be saying it's an underwhelming game, just because
I think both defenses can get after the quarterback and
make things happen. But you're right, they haven't really been
tested against a full, flowing, good offense like Green Bay
has been the past couple of weeks. So I like
our chances at least pull it out. But if they
have to work cut out for him, I do think
(24:03):
they're still a good defense, even if the stats are
a little bit fluffed.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Yeah, I'll tell you what. Another reason I really like
the matchup. They play man defense as much as anybody
in the NFL. They play man defense thirty five percent
of the time. They're a top five man defense, and
that's because they trust their corners. They trust Sir Tan
and McMillan and Riley Moss to be able to stick
with receivers. And they play man again as much as anybody. Well,
Jordan Love is the best quarterback in the NFL against
(24:26):
man defense. He has an eighty nine QBR that's number
one in the league. He's tied for second with eighteen
touchdowns against man coverage. He's fifth in yards per attempt
at eight yards per attempt against man coverage. So really curious,
and we'll talk to Zach Seger's next segment, who covers
the Broncos. Does he think that Joseph follows his usual
script and says, yeah, this is just what we do.
(24:46):
Or does he rely on more zone because what Love
can do and has done might scare him a bit
against man coverage. Finding that right guy. They also blitz
a lot. They're a top ten blitzing unit. Again, we
know what Jordan does against the blitz. He annihilates it.
So does Joseph change his tendencies in that regard as well.
Packer's strengths are kind of might overshadow the weaknesses of
(25:11):
the Broncos defense just a little bit. Another thing that's
going to really, I think, determine this game as third downs.
Green Bay is the number one third down offense in football.
The Broncos are the number one third down defense. In football,
and head coach Matt Lafleura talked about that key down
earlier this week.
Speaker 9 (25:27):
I do feel like we've for the most part, have
done a pretty decent job of staying in third and
manageable situations. And conversely, when you look at Denver, I
mean there's so many third and longs on tape. I
mean it's crazy how many times people get behind the
six first them And it's a credit to the talent
(25:48):
and the scheme, and so they do a good job
of forcing you into those third and lungs. And I
think that's gonna be one of the keys to the
game is just trying to stay in front of the
six a little bit.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
For sure, and if he gets it. If and when
you get to the red zone, they're really good red
zone defense. Packers have gotten really good in the red
zone this last month as they starting to stack wins together.
So the effectives in the red zone, it typically does
determine games. We always talk about turnovers. That might not
be a big thing here. They don't force a lot
of turnovers. The Packers don't commit a lot of turnovers,
so you know, obviously whenever there's a turnover that can
(26:20):
flip a game. But that doesn't look like one of
the key talkers heading into this one. Before we had
to break Packers on the field. You got Patrick Surtan,
the best, maybe the best corner in football, likely shadow
in Christian Watson. If that's the case, where do you
think the Packers find holes today against Denver?
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Well if they keep playing man. One of the best
man to man separators in football is Matthew Golden, who
is a full go I mean, who's listed with I
believe a wrist but full practiced on Friday, no stary
designation correct, So he's going to go. I think that's
a guy go to. The newly returned Jaydon Reid is
another option who is a good separator. They've got plenty
of options that they can go to if he does
(26:58):
shadow Watson, and I know, like you know your intermediate
and your short routes. You know he can cover Watson, Kenny,
cover him on the go ball. You know, he's one
of the fastest players in football. So I still like
that matchup going deep, but I think Golden short and intermediate.
I like him today. He could finally, I've been saying
it every week. He finally could have a big day.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
We'd love to see it.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
Yeah, obviously love to see We'd love to see Wix,
who had the breakout performance on Thanksgiving, has been dealing
with an injury. He's good to go as well, no
injury designation, you know. I also know obviously without Tucker Kraft,
the tight end spot is not ideal right now. But
the Broncos defense has struggle covering tight ends today. So
let's watch for Luke Musgrave, who almost made a spectacular
catch last week. I still thought he caught it. I
(27:41):
never saw a replay on that one where he stretched
out where he did in that possession, but he again
made it almost a terrific catch. Josh Wiley, John Fitzpatrick
not household names, but opportunities against this defense, which also
because they're so aggressive, sometimes struggles with running backs catching
the ball out of the backfield.
Speaker 4 (27:58):
Both teams I think.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Could use that against very explosive and aggressive pass rushes. Today,
let's hear the Broncos side of things from a guy
who covers his team with a podcast called Let's Talk
Broncos and works for KOA Radio in Denver. Zach Segers
joins the program next for some enemy intel as we
roll on on a big Packer game day, big road
test coming up in Denver today.
Speaker 10 (28:21):
Well, I'm proud to be a Packer fan for Best
Football fans and over Land Dot Packer fans, and it's
a Packer fan. I will is it down in Wisconsin.
(28:44):
It's not quite.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Big good hey for April Grove checking in. Prediction for
the day.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
Is we're going overtime, but we're winning in overtime twenty
seven twenty Want Green Bay in overtime twenty seven twenty one.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
That I think would help today And I'd love to
get your reaction.
Speaker 8 (29:03):
This is running right up the middle on them.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
As good as the run defense is, I would think
they're susceptible right up the middle. Beaut our guards and
their defensive tackles. Love to hear you guys.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
That.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
Thanks much.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Go pick.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
All about on Packer Preview. Thanks Dave.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Yeah, I talked about it earlier. You can run up
the middle on Denver. I think that's a place you
try to attack and it's obviously key for this new
fangled interior the Packers' offensive line to perform well. Anthony
Belton kind of a revelation, the second round pick as
right guard has stepped into that role and getting more
and more comfortable. Sean Ryan looks like he may earn
a chance to be the center for this team. And
(29:41):
Aaron Banks, as as we said, gotten better. So yes,
there are definitely opportunities to run up the middle. Hopefully
Josh Jacobs, who has reported today is expected to play,
will be healthy enough maybe at a pitch count, to
do some damage offensively. Let's talk more about what the
Broncos can do and how they're feeling out in Denver
as we walk them in. Zach Seegers, who covers the Broncos.
(30:02):
He does a podcast called Let's Talk Broncos. It works
at KOA Radio and iheartstation in Denver. Zach, great to
be back with you. I know we chatted a couple
of years ago. If I had told you four months
ago that in mid December you're squad would be the
top seed in the AFC eleven and two with a
ten game winning streak, would you have checked my blood
alcohol level?
Speaker 11 (30:22):
I would have thought that you thought I was a
Chief fan. I cannot believe the season the Broncos are
having right now. I you know, even when they were
one and two, it felt like the sky was falling
here in Denver. People were wondering if the Sean Payton
experiment was going awry and they needed to give Davis
(30:45):
Webb play calling duty. They were wondering if it's funny
now considering the run of fourth quarter comebacks they've had.
There was serious conversation about, man, can this bow Nix
guy come through in the clutch. I mean, he's fine
and managing or whatever, but when the game's on the
line and you need him to make a drive, it
seems like he's coming up short against the Colts, coming
(31:06):
up short against the Chargers, and then you have this
ridiculous run. It's been such a treat, really, the most
fun the city's had with the team since Super Bowl
fifty back in twenty fifteen, and the most fun I've
ever had getting to cover the team professionally.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, I'm sure it's such a topsy turvy AFC too.
The perceived powers don't seem to have the powers, So
it's really anybody's game right now in the AFC. And
this is a This is a supreme test, isn't it,
Because you know your squad's an underdog at home, which
I'm sure has a lot of folks out there scratching
their heads saying, really, we've won ten straight and we're
at home, and we won tens right at home as well,
(31:43):
and so, but this is a different animal. I went
through the cavalcade of rookie and backup quarterbacks. Your defense
is beaten this year. Eight of the eleven wins have
come against you know, bottom of the barrel quarterback. So
it as me wondering if they know what's coming today.
So how do you feel about the matchup for your
top five defense against Jordan Love in the pack I mean.
Speaker 11 (32:03):
I think it's going to be a tremendous matchup because
the Stiles makes fights game. You know, the Packers have
the best third down offense in the league, and by
a good margin, converting over fifty percent of their attempts.
The Broncos are the best third down defense in the league,
you know, converting or stuck, holding opponents to only convert
thirty percent of their attempts. Broncos have maybe the best,
(32:25):
I'd say second best man coverage defense in the league,
behind only the Texans. The Packers and Jordan Love are
shredding man defenses at a higher rate than anyone this year.
You know, there's certainly truth to the fact that the
Broncos is kind of beaten up on some lesser quarterbacks.
But I think you look at their test against you know,
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs here in Denver, and this
(32:48):
defense I think is even at a higher level here
in Denver. They did a great job against him, and
they consistently do. I think there's a lot of stylistic
similarity honestly between Mahome then Love and Vance Joseph has
done a great job limiting the mobility of those quarterbacks.
I know he's not the biggest scrambler, but loves to
break the pocket, make plays outside the pocket. I think
(33:10):
Vance Joseph in his pass rush has been a great
job with that. Everyone pays attention to the sac numbers
this defense. I think a good kealthy maybe fifty percent
of their rushes is mush rushing. You know, they're just
trying to cage in the quarterback and to limit them
from using any escape wings because they know their interior
with Zach Allen and John Franklin Myers and DJ Jones
(33:32):
is so good at collapsing the pocket and if they
can just tend the quarterback in they'll get home more
times than not. You've got that great coverage unit on
the back end. I think it's going to be just
a great test of the Packers. You know, the thing
that I think is defined their offense this year is
last year they couldn't beat man coverage. You've gotten these
tremendous developmental leaks from the quarterback and all those weapons
(33:54):
on Green Bay's offense, and they've been shredding man coverage
this year. Can you do it against the defense this
well situated to play man coverage?
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Do you think fans Joseph is tempted to back off
some of the man, play more zone, maybe back off
some of the blitzing because Jordan's so good against blitzing.
Or do you think he just figures it's strength on
strength and we're tough at home, and go ahead and
see if he can beat us.
Speaker 11 (34:18):
You know, my inclination would be to mix it up.
He's a guy who's done a lot of different things
at has different spots. When he was at Arizona, he
was one of the more zone heavy coordinators in the league.
Now you know you've got different personnel, He's slipped to
the other end of the spectrum. But during the week
here when I talked to Nick Ferguson around the station,
former Broncos player, Nate Jackson, another former Broncos player, they
(34:39):
were very strong on the other side of this thing, saying, no,
you do what you do best and you dare them
to beat you with it. And if they beat you
with it, You've got a smart enough defense with Sir Chan,
with Riley Moss, with these two veteran safeties Lupunga and Jones,
you know, Dre greenlawn in the middle now where you
can mix it up and you know, make those adjustments
(35:01):
in game, but you got to come out throw in
your fastball. I might try and touch them off guard.
Speaker 6 (35:07):
You know.
Speaker 11 (35:08):
I think thro In Lovedon's such a great job for
protecting the ball this year, but it seems like he
can make a knucklehead throw or to a game, and
I'd love to have my guys having their eyes on
the quarterback, eyes on the ball and hopefully you can
make a play on that because I think taking advantage
of that knucklehead throw, getting that takeaway or two, it
might be the difference in this game.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Yeah, I know that is the perception, and he does
throw a couple up there, but he obviously he's gotten
very very good at protecting the football. Just what three
or four picks for the season. Offense has taken off
since Christian Watson returned from the ACL injury three or
four weeks ago. They got Jayden Reid back and immediately
put him into the mix. So you know, you've got
Patrick Sartan, the best cornerback in football. Jayqwan McMillan is
(35:50):
a really good slot corner who might be assigned read.
Do you sense that they're just gonna say, all right, Patrick,
you've got number nine, and ja Quan you've got number
eleven or number eleven and Read. Now you just take
those guys out and see if anybody else on that
offense can can bother us.
Speaker 11 (36:06):
I think so. I think Christian Watson on such a
heater right now that he's earned the respect of this
defense where you're gonna put Patrick Sartaan and wherever he
goes on the field. You know, if they play the Raiders,
you know they're not having certain follow Trey Tucker everywhere
against those elite receivers. They're willing to you know, if
(36:27):
Christian Watson lines up in the slot I think they'll
have Sirtan bump the Jaquan out of the spot and
follow him in there. You know, barn their their first
round pick this year, has had a limited role, but
his ability to play outside play inside has really freed
them up to be even more flexible with certain and
how they want to deploy them because they just have
more options now to answer whatever opposing offenses are throwing
(36:51):
at them. They've even started rotating the cornerbacks to like
try and keep them fresh so they're not having to
sprint so much all over the place. I think that
might help against the Packers and the man heavy you
know or just an athlete heavy weapons TRUP. They have
the one thing I'm really worried about in this one
from a coverage perspective, though, because I think everyone can
(37:11):
mainly match up with everyone. I'm worried about Riley Moss downfield.
You know, Jordan Love's going to take these explosive deep
shots and Filey Moss is a better player than I
think his national perception or even local perception would lead
you to believe. But man, the flags have been a
real problem with this guy. Even if he has good
coverage on you know, whoever it may be the Bontavian
Wicks or whoever else. There's a very healthy chance he
(37:34):
gets a PI and it's a free fifty yard play
for the Packers. And then I think you've got to
be worried about Alex Singleton. Every team has gone at him, has,
you know, put him under the microscope. This year when
they played the Colts, it was Tyler Warren's he's seen
on him. And you know, Luke Musgrave isn't Tyler Warren,
but he is an impressive athletic tight end, a good
catcher of the football. If the Packers had Tucker Craft
(37:55):
in this game, I'd be shivering in my boots. But
I think Tucker or Luke Muskrats can still cause them
a lot of problems and need this to be a big,
great game for the Broncos. But they've been leaning more
on Alex Singleton and he's a very vulnerable and coverage.
Speaker 3 (38:09):
We're talking with Zach Segers, host of Let's Talk Broncos
Works at KOA Radio in Denver as well. Flip to
the other side of the ball, bo Knicks in that
offense I mentioned earlier, it's not a scary group of
skill position players, But bo Knicks is learning on the fly.
He's got a great offensive coach obviously helping him become
a really nice young NFL quarterback, and he's just found
(38:29):
a way to get hot and win games in the
fourth quarter. I guess that's probably the recipe, right, just
keep this game close, because bow Knicks seems to save
some magic for when the games are in doubt, and
that's worked pretty well so far this season.
Speaker 4 (38:43):
It has.
Speaker 11 (38:44):
I don't know if that'll work this week against the
Green Bay Packers with with Micah Parsons those quick pressures.
I heard a stat this week that you've got like
thirty two quick pressures in the fourth quarter alone. You
do not want that Green Bay defense pinning it two
years back late, thankfully for the Broncos. I do think
we've seen a little more sustainability out of Bownicks where
(39:06):
it's not just those fourth quarters. At least recently against
the Chiefs, you saw a good complete game, pretty close
to it. Against the Commanders, it was like the good
first three quarters and then he kind of faded in
the fourth, which wasn't great. Against the Raiders, you know,
good complete game out of oo. I think he's one
of his best of the season. Now, all three of
(39:27):
those defenses that you look this year are bottom ten
defenses in a lot of metrics. The Packers are far
from that. So it's going to be a test room
to see if he can keep that rolling against this
Packers defense, especially a defense that plays so much zone coverage.
His splits versus man as opposed to his zone have
been dramatic. But you know, this Broncos defense, I think
(39:48):
the secret ingredient is Sean Taytan. He continues to put
this offense into positions to succeed. The defense continues to
get them short fields, even though they haven't gotten a
lot of takeaways this year. Marvin Mims also is an
excellent returner. He helps that out. And you know, the
line just does a great job protecting bow not exposing
(40:08):
him to pressure. And you've just got enough things pulling
together to where the offense is, you know, pretty solid.
I think they're you know, averaging more points per game
than the Packers, for whatever that's worth. And you know,
of course there's a lot of variables there, but you know,
this can be a I think a dangerous attack in spurts,
and I think they're coming into the best version of
(40:30):
themselves right now. R J. Harvey's I think the big
X factor on offense, though he's struggled after having to
take over for JK. Dobbins due to injury, but last
week was his best performance of the season. It seems
like the game might be slowing down for himself. Maybe
he's gained some confidence. They're going to have to wan
on that run game because kind of to the point
of your question, you can't put this offense exclusively on
(40:50):
Bonix's shoulders and expect success.
Speaker 3 (40:52):
Great stuff, Zach, appreciate the time, enjoy the game today
and thanks for getting up early for us.
Speaker 11 (40:57):
My man, of course, thanks so much for having me, Dave,
go you.
Speaker 4 (41:00):
Two, Zach.
Speaker 3 (41:00):
Seeger's host of Let's Talk Broncos podcast, Brett Blake Moore.
Speaker 4 (41:06):
It's a big one. We got the Bear Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (41:08):
We got two big road tests coming up against playoff
caliber teams.
Speaker 4 (41:13):
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 3 (41:14):
Can the Pact make it five in a row and
bust that ten game winning streak today?
Speaker 1 (41:17):
I think they can something that he had great insight,
but he mentioned the knucklehead throws.
Speaker 4 (41:23):
Yeah, narrative, narrative.
Speaker 1 (41:25):
I just it permeates through every I don't know why,
because the numbers clearly show that that's not the case.
But I think, speaking of narratives, even though I don't
think the Broncos they're good and they could beat Green Bay,
I don't think they're as good as their record indicates.
But even so, I think this is a narrative moving game.
I think this is a If green Bay wins this,
(41:45):
you're gonna start seeing the steven A's and the big
talking heads go look at green Bay, even though I
don't really think this would be that monumental of a win.
If they did win, I think it's a twenty one seventeen,
twenty one to fourteen. I think a low scoring game.
I think it's going to be a defensive showing, but
it's got to be a LA floor game, scheming up
ways to keep Love safe and get the ball out
(42:06):
and beat man coverage.
Speaker 3 (42:07):
If the Packers win this game, it's going to be
on the arm of Jordan Love and the MVP drum
beat's going to get louder. He's number three right now,
behind May and Stafford a distant third, but with two
big road games coming up in the next seven days,
on the road against Denver in Chicago. If the Packers
win these two games, Jordan Love is going to be
talking about as an MVP candidate, if he's not already.
Even more so. So that's something to take along with
(42:30):
the action that we see on the field today. I
like green Bay's chances today. You can read my preview
as always at Zone coverage dot com. I've got a
twenty four to twenty one. I think green Bay gets
it done late. I think it's an Xavier McKinney day.
They're not going to take a lot of deep shots,
and that's where you tend to see McKinney. But I
just have a feeling Xavier McKinney makes his presence felt today.
(42:52):
I'll remind you Brett and I will have a review
podcast tomorrow morning. Please listen to that. Go to the
iHeart app click on Packer Preview and you'll hear our
Packer review podcast. We may have to do a Packer
preview one on the Bears before the Bears game next week.
Brett Blakemore, let's chat about that. Follow both of us
on Twitter for news. But I'm just thinking we might
(43:13):
need to preview that Bears game since the game is
on Saturday Night next week. I think it comes down
to third downs again, that strength on strength. Packers have
been great on third down. This offensive line is going
to be tested unlike it's been tested all season against
this Denver defense.
Speaker 4 (43:28):
But same thing for them.
Speaker 3 (43:29):
With apologies to Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, this is
not twenty twenty four for those two quarterbacks. And while
Denver had some success against those two guys, they're facing
an offense that's playing at a much higher level right
now than either the Chiefs or the Eagles. Great to
have Josh Jacobs playing. We'll see how much he can
give this team today. Emmanuel Wilson chip on shoulder, if
(43:50):
he's healthy enough to go, he should support that run
game as well. Got to run on this team, keep
that pass rush honest. And with Jayden Reid and Christian
Watson and and tavi On Wicks and Matthew Golden and
Romeo Dobbs and Luke Musgrave, I think the Packers have
enough places to find holes in that defense. As Zach said,
Riley Moss a guy that's going to take some chances.
(44:10):
Maybe Dan tavi on Wicks beats him a couple of
times if Sirtan has his attention on Christian Watson. Great
test for this Packer team today, a great road test
to see really where they are. And Brett, you're one
hundred percent right. A win today changes the narrative nationally.
Green Bay is considered a Super Bowl contender. They're the
third pick right now. I think that drumbeat again gets
(44:30):
louder with a win on the road against a team
that's won ten straight in that stadium. Enjoy the game today,
three twenty five kickoff. We'll talk about it tomorrow on
Packer Review. As always, go packed
It's time for Packers Preview again. Boom talking about the
Packer the Super Bowl. We're gone win again, according to
your host David Sinnecon will win on the road, We'll
win at home. Willieven win in the US Bank Stadium.
(00:22):
Mike's fans can call it, but you've got the balls
the Packers Preview Show.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Welcome to year thirty of Packer Preview on the Fan,
now live from the KFA and studios the head cheese himself,
Dave Sinnakin.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Good morning, Packer fans, and welcome to the week fifteen
edition of Packer Preview on the Sports Leader and the
home of the Vikings KFA n iHeartRadio. Great to be
with you on this Packer game day as the Packers
get set to try to extend their win streak to
five against another team that's streaking rather nicely be Denver Broncos,
the top seed and the AFC winners of ten straight,
(01:03):
winners of ten straight at home.
Speaker 4 (01:06):
Packers will try to.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Bust those streaks, just as they busted the Bears winning
streak a week ago and stay right up there near
the top of the NFC picture. Will spend this next
hour getting you set for this game, obviously previewing the strengths,
the weaknesses, where the matchups help, where they don't help,
the injuries, all that fun stuff. We will get some
Broncos intel from a guy who covers a team very
(01:29):
closely in Denver named Zach Segers at KOA Radio. He
also hosts a podcast called Let's Talk Broncos. We'll talk
to Zach about a half hour from now get his
thoughts on a big matchup that I think we'll tell
a lot about both teams. I think there are question
marks certainly on both teams. Packers need to prove they
can go on the road in a tough spot against
a great defense and take care of business Denver eleven
(01:50):
and two. But we'll go through the cavalcade of backup
and rookie quarterbacks they've beaten to get to that record.
It's not very impressive, but you play who's on your schedule,
and they can take a big step by knocking down
a Super Bowl contender like the Packers and really put
a real emphasis on that they are serious contenders. In
a wide open topsy Turvy AFC Brett Blake Moore, as
(02:14):
we weave you in, as we always do it.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Packer Preview.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I'm going to remind you or tell you when I
think of Packers Broncos. I have two very distinct memories
of this matchup. Packers only won one time ever in
the city of Denver. You were just a young kid
at the time. Twenty oh seven overtime Packers get the ball.
This is before you each get the ball right. First
(02:36):
play from scrimmage from the times I know, ye way
back when it wasn't very fair. First play from scrimmage
five goes back. He's Greg Jennings eighty five yard touchdown
ballgame that was very memorable and then not so memorable.
Super Bowl thirty two, of course, the loss to the
Broncos and John Elway. That was year number two of
Packer Preview. And I remember I was at Cabs Pub,
(02:57):
the original sponsor of this program, on the east side
of Say and Paul, watching that game and was surprised
when I got there to find that I wasn't the
only quote unquote celebrity at the Super Bowl party there.
Viking legend Bill Brown was there as well, the Crotchety
sixty something at the time defensive back great player. Uh
still hated the Packers to that moment, So I had
(03:18):
to sit next to him for three hours and listen
to him talk about how he hates everything green and gold.
And then, of course when the Broncos won the game,
I had to listen to him for a while. So, yeah,
that that stays with you. How many years later they.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Should never wear the white uniforms during a Super Bowl.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
Well, no, they run them today. Witness.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Yes, the Winter Warning uniforms are back. White on white
packers are four and oh all time, I think three
and o this season wearing the Winter Warning uniforms. At
least two. They're unbeaten, that's for sure. When they wear
the white on whites. They will wear those today and
what will be a very mild day in Denver, temperature
is hitting sixty degrees. And I know you and I
(03:56):
have both thought a lot about this game through this week,
coming off a scintillating win over the Bears, one that
you know, you had the double digit lead halftime into
the second half and you're feeling really good, and kudos
to Chicago to stay in that game and make it
close until the dagger buy a Keishawn Nixon on fourth
and one. Following that game, did you feel better about
(04:18):
where this Packer's team sits right now, where you're still
a little concerned because you were less confident heading into
that Bears game than I was.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Well, I was concerned about the run de and just
how potent you know the Bears run game is, and
they for the most part shut them down.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
No runs of over nine yards?
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Yeah, correct, So I mean they could move the chains
and they had some sustained drives, especially in that third
going into the fourth quarter, but other than that it
was pretty good. So I'm I'm more confident. I think
this today has to be a Matt Lafleur day where
because the pass rush and the defense for Denver is
what is the main Bonnicks is fine, He's not great,
(04:54):
but he's not terrible either. He's serviceable. But what's making
this run happen for the Broncos opinion is the defense.
How good the pass russ is. So that's a Matt
Lafleur job to either get the ball out of Love's
hands or scheme in a way to where you have
those quick slants and quick hot routes and hot reads
and you know, all the buzzwords you want. They they've
got to have a good game plan today.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yeah, for sure, Packers offense versus Broncos defense. That's where
you grab your popcorn and watch and see what happens.
That's the big matchup, Great on Great. So we will
break that down completely today. What the Broncos do well,
what the Packers can do. As you know, the Packers
have won four in a row. They are road favorites today,
one and a half point favorites. The lines come down
(05:35):
about a point. It's got a lot of folks that
cover the Broncos and follow the Broncos. A bit upset,
a bit disappointed, a bit confused about why their team
is a home underdog. They won ten straight at home,
ten straight overall, who are they to be underdogs? But again,
you look at the teams they've played, what the Packers
do well. This feels like a complete toss up sort
(05:58):
of game between Matt Lafleur and Payton and his defensive
coordinator Van Vance Joseph. So, as you know, this starts
the final four game stretch. Packers will have three of
these final four games on the road. When we meet
again a week from right now, Packers will already play
the Broncos and Bears on the road will have a
very clear understanding of where they sit for the North
(06:20):
and for the playoffs. As we sit here today, they
have a ninety five percent chance to reach the postseason,
a sixty eight percent chance to win the NFC North.
They sit as the number two seed in the NFC,
just a half game behind the Los Angeles Rams. So
lot will be known a week from now with these
two big road games coming up.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
And you know, as you'll worry.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
A little bit about the game sandwich between the two
Big Bears games, But when you're playing the team like Denver,
I have less concerns. Maybe Chicago hosting Cleveland, maybe they
take their foot off the gas a bit. Looking ahead
to the Pack on Saturday night, and they stumble out
of the playoff picture a bit with a loss, we'll
see be a very interesting day in the National Football League.
The Packers have been very good against the AFC. They've
(07:03):
won nine of their last ten games against AFC teams. Obviously,
this is a entirely different test, a very difficult test
on the road in altitude against a very hot Denver
Broncos team. The story injury wise for the Pack is
the running back position. As you know, Josh Jacobs questionable,
did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Returned on Friday. The
(07:24):
knee swelled up during the Bears game. They did an
MRI early in the week. No structural issues, just a
swollen knee that's banged up and probably won't get better
until he gets a whole lot of rest, so he
believes he will play. Then yesterday it popped up that
Emmanuel Wilson, his backup, was added to the injury list
(07:45):
with an illness. And that's obviously concerning. Now you've got
your top two running backs listed as questionable. Wilson extra motivation.
He was brought in as a rookie by the Broncos undrafted.
Seventy two hours later he was cut and so little.
Couple stories this week about the chip that rests on
his shoulder and a chance to maybe go play against
(08:05):
the team that didn't give him a shot. The good
news is overnight reporting by NFL Networks. Tom Pallasero, friend
of the fan, says that Josh Jacobs is expected to
play today. Emmanuel Wilson also expected to play. We'll see
how he feels this morning. Packers did activate third string
or actually fourth string back. I guess Pierre Strong junior
(08:26):
off the practice squad, so he is active and eligible,
but if those two guys can play, he will not
be active on the roster today. Is a guy that'll
be suited up and set to play, So good news.
Out of the running back position. It sounds like both
Jacobs and Wilson will be good to go. Also questionable
for the pack Lucas van Nests Saveon Williams Christian Welch.
(08:46):
All three of those guys fifty to fifty Denver very healthy. Really,
all they're missing is a wide receiver rookie Pat Bryant,
who's been kind of a nice player of late. He's
out today and they're right. Tackle Mike McGlinchey is questionable
as well today. I think most signs point to him
being good to go in this one. Let's talk a
(09:07):
bit about the Packers defense today against the Denver Broncos
offense led by second year quarterback BONNICKX, who you know
is as Brett said, you know, he's kind of up
and down. He's had some really nice games and some
really nice comebacks. They've they've been a very good fourth
quarter team. He's been able to engineer some amazing comebacks.
(09:27):
The one against the Giants comes to mind at home
where they were getting beat. I mean, they scored like
what twenty eight points in the fourth quarter, And that's
what kind of gives you pause about Denver, because they
really struggled to beat a terrible Giants team. The Raiders
gave them trouble where they couldn't really score against a
below average Raiders defense. But Bownicks has developed into a
(09:47):
nice quarterback. He throws on the run a lot like
Caleb Williams twenty six percent of his dropbacks. He leaves
the pocket and goes on the run. He also runs
the ball fairly effectively. He's got some nice legs. He
will use those, especially if the Packers are overly aggressive
in the pass rush.
Speaker 4 (10:03):
What he doesn't have.
Speaker 3 (10:04):
Is a real prominent, productive set of skill players. It's
not a group that's going to scare you too much.
They lost their starting running back JK. Dobbins earlier in
the season, so rookie R. J. Harvey has gotten the call.
He's gotten better as the season's gone on. He had
a nice game last week both as a running back
and a receiver out of the backfield receiving corps. You know,
(10:25):
Cortland Sutton. He's a nice red zone target and third
down guy, but again kind of middling. Troy Franklin, Marvin
Mims again just not a huge, hugely productive or scary
set of skill position players. So I think there's an
opportunity for the Packers defense today Brett to handle their business.
It's going to be incumbent upon them to get pressure
(10:46):
on bow Knicks. Obviously, this is a great offensive line.
That's the strength of their offense. They are the number
one pass blocking offensive line in the NFL. They've only
given up seventeen sacks so and part of that is
because bo Nicks at the first sign of trouble runs away.
And he's a guy that you know will throw the
ball away rather than take a sack. So you got
to make him uncomfortable, make him try to beat you.
(11:08):
I do think, uh, when you look at the strength
on strength, that the Packers defense is the better unit
on the field, clearly.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
And that's to me when you swing the game.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
When you look at next segment, we'll talk about Packers
offense against the vaunted Broncos defense that's really great on
great in this case, when the Packers have the ball, sorry,
when the Broncos have the ball, I don't know how
many points they can score against the Packers defense. I'm
really interested to see how the pack defense responds today.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Yeah, last week Michael Parson said what was where He's
asked what was it like chasing Caleb Williams. He said,
quote Matt annoying, And I think it could be in
for another one of those days where it can't be
so much the sat I mean, I hope it is,
but it's got to be more of just the pressures
and just forcing him out. And I know he likes
to do that, and he likes to throw on the run.
But in doing that, you hope you have a pick
(11:56):
or two in the works. In the secondary's got to
pick up some of the slack because the pass rush,
the pressure is going to be there, but I don't
know if the sacks will necessarily be there. So the
coverage in the secondary has to be good today to
account for us gramblin QB.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
I also found it interesting Sean Payton was asked about
Micah Parsons and how do you deal with him?
Speaker 4 (12:14):
And he said he put.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Him in a choke hold. Well, apparently that might work.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
He's going to approach it like he approaches Max Crosby,
the great pass rusher for the Raiders. They've already played
the Raiders twice. Very careful to watch when Crosby would
come out of the game to catch a breather, and
they took some deep shots and some chances when Crosby
was off the field. We know Micah takes a few
plays off. He needs to man. I mean, he's a
motor that does not stop and he needs to catch
(12:40):
his breath every now and then. So I'm going to
watch very carefully when they show us that Mike is
catching his breath on a first down or maybe a
second and short whenever they take their chances there, and
see if Sean Payton dials up something fun for him
knowing that number one is not across the line.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Just something to watch today.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Well then Shan Gary, hello, you know the rest of
the pass rush like you got to get home when
Mike has taking a breather.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Yeah, it'd be nice to have Lucas fans on the field.
It's kind of been a lost season way back, remember
when the season started. Maybe this is a breakout season
for Lucas fedness. He'd shown so much in the preseason.
Third year now after being a not very much used
player at Ioway. Remember he didn't even start for the Hawkeyes,
so it might take a little longer for him. This
was going to be the year, but it's been a
lost season for him by injury. There's still a month left.
(13:25):
He can still rewrite the story. This would be a
nice time to get that thing going because he's a
guy that does have some speeds and athleticism and on
a team that is going to stretch out plays and
a quarterback that's going to extend plays. Having another talented
pass rusher on the field today would certainly be helpful.
So healthy Packer defense for the most part, which is
(13:45):
very encouraging. I thought last week, you know, Evan Williams
was a stud. He is developing into a Pro Bowl
caliber safety. Packers with McKinney and Williams have about as
good a pair of safeties as you'll find in the
National Football League. And you know, getting quite back last week,
getting his feet wet, getting back into action. Yeah, I
feel good about this defense. I'm just really interested to
(14:06):
see how they deal with an uncommon opponent in altitude
where again you might have Micah and some of these
guys needing breathers in the thin air. SA's not a
team that scores a ton of points Denver. So when
the Packers are on defense, this is the time the
Packers need to take charge because it's gonna get awfully
tough when that Denver defense is on the field, which
(14:27):
we'll talk about it a bit.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Yes, they've got their hands fall. It's a serviceable, smart quarterback.
I mean, yeah, he's got a mistake in him, but
I wouldn't say he's turnover prone. He's going to throw
it to us a hundred times, but there's chances, and
there will be chances. The pass rush has got to
get home when they can. But a guy that's so
elusive and athletic, it's going to be tough. So I
think it's going to be have to be a secondary McKinney.
(14:50):
Evan Williams a Bollard type game.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Sean Payton obviously helps him out a lot. We can't
stand Sean Payton at all. I'm sure most of us listening,
whether you're a Packer fan, are a few Viking fans
that might be straggling and up and early and listening.
We welcome you, We know you. He Sean Payton as well.
He's six and two against the Pack as a head coach,
so he's had some success against Green Bay. Obviously not
a lot of those against Matt Lafleur. But he helps
a young quarterback get the best out of himself, knowing
(15:16):
that he knows what dials to push, buttons to push,
dials to turn all that fun stuff for a young quarterback.
So the matchup between Peyton and Jeff Hafley will be
very interesting to watch and something to be very dangerous.
That's very dangerous and something to be very very careful
about special teams and it's not been an issue the
last few weeks, but this is a team with an
(15:36):
all Pro punk returner in Marvin Mims. He took one
of the house last week against the Raiders that in
a close game kind of made things easy for Denver.
Packers have to not allow special teams to tip the
field in this game and Mims is outstanding. So maybe
the best defense is just don't punt today. But against
that defense that might be a bit easier said than do.
(15:58):
Marvin min scares me a little bit can tip the
field at a second.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
He had a return last week from not mistake seventy yards.
Oh yeah, tell you yeah, We've I don't want to
say we've been due for a special teams blunder, but
they've been good at not having special teams blunders. And
you know, I am a car carrying member of the
Daniel will and appreciates society. So I mean he could
pin him deep, and he is a good enough puncher
to do so.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
The premier matchup again is going to be the Packers offense,
Jordan Love against Nick Benito, all those stars on the
Denver defense. This is one of the top defenses the
Packers will face all season, if not the best.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
It's right there with Cleveland.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
We know that didn't go exceptionally well early in the season,
but the Packers' offensive line looks a lot different. When
we come back, we'll talk about the Packers offense against
that defense. We'll hear from Matt Lafleur, we'll hear from
Jordan Love, and we'll look at the key matchups that
make me feel somewhat confident about the packs chances today.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Tell all the people across the USA, I love my
Green Bay Packers, who won the first Superposed I.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Haven't play.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Packer, you watch you by JJ Rufin.
Speaker 6 (17:13):
Good morning Packer fans. Is day from Shack. What a
good game we saw last against the Bears. But we
got the Broncos this week and they got a good
d as well. And to win, it's going to be
about staying bounced and keeping the third downs to a
manageable distances. And on defense, let's get a double digital
lead and keep the Broncos running game away a bed.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
That way, the Pack wins.
Speaker 7 (17:36):
Go Pack Go, Good morning Packer fans, Old Salt side guy.
Football at it's basic is a simple game that we
all make complex. First, you need three basic things to
be successful. You need a quarterback. Secondly, you need to
protect that quarterback. Third, on defense, you need to get
to that opposing quarterback. That's what I'll be watching Jordan
(17:59):
Love protecting him and getting to the quarterback. Let's get
those three working, Golpack.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
Those started doomed plans go.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
Should have stayed in.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Thanks for checking in, gentlemen.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
You're always welcome to leave your thoughts on the talkback
button on the iHeartRadio app. We appreciate those very much.
Hope you guys are well as we get set for
Packers Broncos three twenty five kickoff today, Nance and Romo
game on CBS. You'll see it locally on Channel four
here in the Twin Cities. Packers offense against this top
five Broncos defense maybe the best unit the Packers have faced.
(18:33):
Cleveland was probably the other great one that didn't go
well early in the season.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Obviously just ten points.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
Offensive line was a shambles that game, Injuries devastating that unit.
Packers O line has been resurgent since they made the
move to but Anthony Beldon, that right guard, Sean Ryan's
been very good at center, so things are starting to
come together. And Aaron Banks finally looks like he's starting
to get show that he's worth the massive payday he got.
He's been very good now that he's healthier. The interior
(19:01):
of that line has gotten better. They will be tested,
all five guys by a Denver defense that's top five
across the board. Just pick a category. Fifty five sacks
leads the NFL. They're potentially on a record pace for sacks.
They're the fourth scoring defense if they give up the
second fewest explosive plays. The Packers offense tends to live
on explosive plays fourth and pressure rate. They're very good
(19:25):
against the run number one yards per carry, but they
can be beat on inside runs. They're twenty fifth against
inside runs. So look for the Packers to attack with
Jacobs and or Wilson between the tackles today. Just a
really good defense, as Jordan Love discussed earlier this week.
Speaker 8 (19:41):
Yeah, I think, you know, obviously they're a very good defense.
You know, probably one of the best defense we've seen
all year. And the numbers are all kind of back that.
But you know, obviously the pass rush they have, the
sacks they've been able to generate. I mean, you look
at the defense all across the board. I think they
got really good players, I mean, a really good scheme.
So it'll be a good test for us to be
able to go out there and you see what we
(20:01):
can do as offense.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Indeed it will.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
And here are a few things that make me feel
good about the Packers' chances offensively. Besides the fact that,
as you know, it's Toyota than season and Jordan Love
hums and plays his best ball this time of year,
the Packers have placed the Broncos have faced three teams
with a positive EPA per play, expected points added for play,
the analytic data point that a lot of folks look
(20:26):
at when it comes to really effective offenses. Those three
teams the Packers have faced, or sorry that the Broncos
have faced, Indye, Kansas City in Dallas, those positive EPA
offenses all scored points against this Broncos defense. They averaged
twenty four points a game the Colts, Chiefs and Broncos.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
So against good.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
Offenses, Broncos have given up twenty four points a game.
And then you look at all right, so they're really
good again. Across the board. Nick Bonito has as many
sacks as Micah Parsons twelve and a half. He is fantastic.
His matchup against Rashid Walker that might determine the game.
Walker has been the weak link, likely a guy that's
not in the Packers' future plans. He's been fine, he's
(21:09):
been solid, but he's given up like twenty eight pressures.
This will be his biggest test against Nick Benito. Zach
Allen Jonathan Cooper has seven and a half sacks. Their
linebackers are great, Drake Greenlaws really good. Their secondary Patrick's Artan,
the reigning defensive player of the Year, will likely chase
Christian Watson around all day their slock corner. J Kwan
(21:30):
McMillan is a Pro Bowl candidate who might be assigned
Jayden Reid. How nice it was it to see him
back in the flow of the offense and get in
touches early last week. So they've got talent across the board.
Here's where I question the defense just a bit, mister Blakemore.
They're eleven and two, probably a couple of years ahead
(21:50):
of schedule as far as the Broncos organization where they
thought they might be with their young quarterback. But this
defense has put up great numbers. Here are eight of
the election seven quarterbacks. This defense is beaten.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
This year.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
They have eleven wins. Eight of those wins have come
against cam Ward the rookie in his very first start
season opener, Jake Browning with the Bengals, Jackson Dart, Davis Mills,
Justin Fields, Marcus Mariota, and Geno Smith twice.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
So forgive me.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
If I'm not barely Gino Smith correct.
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Correct in one of them. Even last week looked better
than it was. I mean, the pot return kind of
opened it up.
Speaker 3 (22:27):
But yes, eight of those eleven wins have come against
either rookies, backups, or in Gino's case, a guy in
a team whose offense is broken and they fired their
offensive coordinator. So again, am I taking something away from
their defense? I don't know, maybe a little, because again,
eight of these eleven wins have come against lousy quarterbacks.
The three other wins, sorry, the three other quarterbacks they
(22:50):
played Daniel Jones. They gave up twenty nine points to
the Colts in a loss Jalen hurts. They beat the
Eagles twenty one to seventeen, but we all know the
Eagles offense is nothing like it's looked the last few years.
And Patrick Mahomes in a twenty two to nineteen win.
And again, this Chiefs offense is nothing like what we've seen.
So I mean, really, this offense they're facing today is
(23:12):
the most productive and talented offense that defense has gone against.
I'm not saying the Packers are going to score forty
on them, but I am saying, let's take all these
stats with a tiny pinch of salt, because they haven't
faced a cavalcade.
Speaker 4 (23:25):
Of starting quarterbacks to this point this season.
Speaker 1 (23:27):
The numbers might be fluffed a little bit, is what
they're said just a bit. Yeah, I mean, I agree,
I don't think that it's going to be this explosive,
and I hope it is. I don't think it's going
to be this explosive four touchdown game. I mean, if
I don't know what the overunder.
Speaker 4 (23:40):
Is, it's like forty two forty three.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
I might be saying it's an underwhelming game, just because
I think both defenses can get after the quarterback and
make things happen. But you're right, they haven't really been
tested against a full, flowing, good offense like Green Bay
has been the past couple of weeks. So I like
our chances at least pull it out. But if they
have to work cut out for him, I do think
(24:03):
they're still a good defense, even if the stats are
a little bit fluffed.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
Yeah, I'll tell you what. Another reason I really like
the matchup. They play man defense as much as anybody
in the NFL. They play man defense thirty five percent
of the time. They're a top five man defense, and
that's because they trust their corners. They trust Sir Tan
and McMillan and Riley Moss to be able to stick
with receivers. And they play man again as much as anybody. Well,
Jordan Love is the best quarterback in the NFL against
(24:26):
man defense. He has an eighty nine QBR that's number
one in the league. He's tied for second with eighteen
touchdowns against man coverage. He's fifth in yards per attempt
at eight yards per attempt against man coverage. So really curious,
and we'll talk to Zach Seger's next segment, who covers
the Broncos. Does he think that Joseph follows his usual
script and says, yeah, this is just what we do.
(24:46):
Or does he rely on more zone because what Love
can do and has done might scare him a bit
against man coverage. Finding that right guy. They also blitz
a lot. They're a top ten blitzing unit. Again, we
know what Jordan does against the blitz. He annihilates it.
So does Joseph change his tendencies in that regard as well.
Packer's strengths are kind of might overshadow the weaknesses of
(25:11):
the Broncos defense just a little bit. Another thing that's
going to really, I think, determine this game as third downs.
Green Bay is the number one third down offense in football.
The Broncos are the number one third down defense. In football,
and head coach Matt Lafleura talked about that key down
earlier this week.
Speaker 9 (25:27):
I do feel like we've for the most part, have
done a pretty decent job of staying in third and
manageable situations. And conversely, when you look at Denver, I
mean there's so many third and longs on tape. I
mean it's crazy how many times people get behind the
six first them And it's a credit to the talent
(25:48):
and the scheme, and so they do a good job
of forcing you into those third and lungs. And I
think that's gonna be one of the keys to the
game is just trying to stay in front of the
six a little bit.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
For sure, and if he gets it. If and when
you get to the red zone, they're really good red
zone defense. Packers have gotten really good in the red
zone this last month as they starting to stack wins together.
So the effectives in the red zone, it typically does
determine games. We always talk about turnovers. That might not
be a big thing here. They don't force a lot
of turnovers. The Packers don't commit a lot of turnovers,
so you know, obviously whenever there's a turnover that can
(26:20):
flip a game. But that doesn't look like one of
the key talkers heading into this one. Before we had
to break Packers on the field. You got Patrick Surtan,
the best, maybe the best corner in football, likely shadow
in Christian Watson. If that's the case, where do you
think the Packers find holes today against Denver?
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Well if they keep playing man. One of the best
man to man separators in football is Matthew Golden, who
is a full go I mean, who's listed with I
believe a wrist but full practiced on Friday, no stary
designation correct, So he's going to go. I think that's
a guy go to. The newly returned Jaydon Reid is
another option who is a good separator. They've got plenty
of options that they can go to if he does
(26:58):
shadow Watson, and I know, like you know your intermediate
and your short routes. You know he can cover Watson, Kenny,
cover him on the go ball. You know, he's one
of the fastest players in football. So I still like
that matchup going deep, but I think Golden short and intermediate.
I like him today. He could finally, I've been saying
it every week. He finally could have a big day.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
We'd love to see it.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
Yeah, obviously love to see We'd love to see Wix,
who had the breakout performance on Thanksgiving, has been dealing
with an injury. He's good to go as well, no
injury designation, you know. I also know obviously without Tucker Kraft,
the tight end spot is not ideal right now. But
the Broncos defense has struggle covering tight ends today. So
let's watch for Luke Musgrave, who almost made a spectacular
catch last week. I still thought he caught it. I
(27:41):
never saw a replay on that one where he stretched
out where he did in that possession, but he again
made it almost a terrific catch. Josh Wiley, John Fitzpatrick
not household names, but opportunities against this defense, which also
because they're so aggressive, sometimes struggles with running backs catching
the ball out of the backfield.
Speaker 4 (27:58):
Both teams I think.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Could use that against very explosive and aggressive pass rushes. Today,
let's hear the Broncos side of things from a guy
who covers his team with a podcast called Let's Talk
Broncos and works for KOA Radio in Denver. Zach Segers
joins the program next for some enemy intel as we
roll on on a big Packer game day, big road
test coming up in Denver today.
Speaker 10 (28:21):
Well, I'm proud to be a Packer fan for Best
Football fans and over Land Dot Packer fans, and it's
a Packer fan. I will is it down in Wisconsin.
(28:44):
It's not quite.
Speaker 4 (28:46):
Big good hey for April Grove checking in. Prediction for
the day.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
Is we're going overtime, but we're winning in overtime twenty
seven twenty Want Green Bay in overtime twenty seven twenty one.
Speaker 6 (29:00):
That I think would help today And I'd love to
get your reaction.
Speaker 8 (29:03):
This is running right up the middle on them.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
As good as the run defense is, I would think
they're susceptible right up the middle. Beaut our guards and
their defensive tackles. Love to hear you guys.
Speaker 2 (29:14):
That.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
Thanks much.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Go pick.
Speaker 4 (29:19):
All about on Packer Preview. Thanks Dave.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Yeah, I talked about it earlier. You can run up
the middle on Denver. I think that's a place you
try to attack and it's obviously key for this new
fangled interior the Packers' offensive line to perform well. Anthony
Belton kind of a revelation, the second round pick as
right guard has stepped into that role and getting more
and more comfortable. Sean Ryan looks like he may earn
a chance to be the center for this team. And
(29:41):
Aaron Banks, as as we said, gotten better. So yes,
there are definitely opportunities to run up the middle. Hopefully
Josh Jacobs, who has reported today is expected to play,
will be healthy enough maybe at a pitch count, to
do some damage offensively. Let's talk more about what the
Broncos can do and how they're feeling out in Denver
as we walk them in. Zach Seegers, who covers the Broncos.
(30:02):
He does a podcast called Let's Talk Broncos. It works
at KOA Radio and iheartstation in Denver. Zach, great to
be back with you. I know we chatted a couple
of years ago. If I had told you four months
ago that in mid December you're squad would be the
top seed in the AFC eleven and two with a
ten game winning streak, would you have checked my blood
alcohol level?
Speaker 11 (30:22):
I would have thought that you thought I was a
Chief fan. I cannot believe the season the Broncos are
having right now. I you know, even when they were
one and two, it felt like the sky was falling
here in Denver. People were wondering if the Sean Payton
experiment was going awry and they needed to give Davis
(30:45):
Webb play calling duty. They were wondering if it's funny
now considering the run of fourth quarter comebacks they've had.
There was serious conversation about, man, can this bow Nix
guy come through in the clutch. I mean, he's fine
and managing or whatever, but when the game's on the
line and you need him to make a drive, it
seems like he's coming up short against the Colts, coming
(31:06):
up short against the Chargers, and then you have this
ridiculous run. It's been such a treat, really, the most
fun the city's had with the team since Super Bowl
fifty back in twenty fifteen, and the most fun I've
ever had getting to cover the team professionally.
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, I'm sure it's such a topsy turvy AFC too.
The perceived powers don't seem to have the powers, So
it's really anybody's game right now in the AFC. And
this is a This is a supreme test, isn't it,
Because you know your squad's an underdog at home, which
I'm sure has a lot of folks out there scratching
their heads saying, really, we've won ten straight and we're
at home, and we won tens right at home as well,
(31:43):
and so, but this is a different animal. I went
through the cavalcade of rookie and backup quarterbacks. Your defense
is beaten this year. Eight of the eleven wins have
come against you know, bottom of the barrel quarterback. So
it as me wondering if they know what's coming today.
So how do you feel about the matchup for your
top five defense against Jordan Love in the pack I mean.
Speaker 11 (32:03):
I think it's going to be a tremendous matchup because
the Stiles makes fights game. You know, the Packers have
the best third down offense in the league, and by
a good margin, converting over fifty percent of their attempts.
The Broncos are the best third down defense in the league,
you know, converting or stuck, holding opponents to only convert
thirty percent of their attempts. Broncos have maybe the best,
(32:25):
I'd say second best man coverage defense in the league,
behind only the Texans. The Packers and Jordan Love are
shredding man defenses at a higher rate than anyone this year.
You know, there's certainly truth to the fact that the
Broncos is kind of beaten up on some lesser quarterbacks.
But I think you look at their test against you know,
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs here in Denver, and this
(32:48):
defense I think is even at a higher level here
in Denver. They did a great job against him, and
they consistently do. I think there's a lot of stylistic
similarity honestly between Mahome then Love and Vance Joseph has
done a great job limiting the mobility of those quarterbacks.
I know he's not the biggest scrambler, but loves to
break the pocket, make plays outside the pocket. I think
(33:10):
Vance Joseph in his pass rush has been a great
job with that. Everyone pays attention to the sac numbers
this defense. I think a good kealthy maybe fifty percent
of their rushes is mush rushing. You know, they're just
trying to cage in the quarterback and to limit them
from using any escape wings because they know their interior
with Zach Allen and John Franklin Myers and DJ Jones
(33:32):
is so good at collapsing the pocket and if they
can just tend the quarterback in they'll get home more
times than not. You've got that great coverage unit on
the back end. I think it's going to be just
a great test of the Packers. You know, the thing
that I think is defined their offense this year is
last year they couldn't beat man coverage. You've gotten these
tremendous developmental leaks from the quarterback and all those weapons
(33:54):
on Green Bay's offense, and they've been shredding man coverage
this year. Can you do it against the defense this
well situated to play man coverage?
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Do you think fans Joseph is tempted to back off
some of the man, play more zone, maybe back off
some of the blitzing because Jordan's so good against blitzing.
Or do you think he just figures it's strength on
strength and we're tough at home, and go ahead and
see if he can beat us.
Speaker 11 (34:18):
You know, my inclination would be to mix it up.
He's a guy who's done a lot of different things
at has different spots. When he was at Arizona, he
was one of the more zone heavy coordinators in the league.
Now you know you've got different personnel, He's slipped to
the other end of the spectrum. But during the week
here when I talked to Nick Ferguson around the station,
former Broncos player, Nate Jackson, another former Broncos player, they
(34:39):
were very strong on the other side of this thing, saying, no,
you do what you do best and you dare them
to beat you with it. And if they beat you
with it, You've got a smart enough defense with Sir Chan,
with Riley Moss, with these two veteran safeties Lupunga and Jones,
you know, Dre greenlawn in the middle now where you
can mix it up and you know, make those adjustments
(35:01):
in game, but you got to come out throw in
your fastball. I might try and touch them off guard.
Speaker 6 (35:07):
You know.
Speaker 11 (35:08):
I think thro In Lovedon's such a great job for
protecting the ball this year, but it seems like he
can make a knucklehead throw or to a game, and
I'd love to have my guys having their eyes on
the quarterback, eyes on the ball and hopefully you can
make a play on that because I think taking advantage
of that knucklehead throw, getting that takeaway or two, it
might be the difference in this game.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Yeah, I know that is the perception, and he does
throw a couple up there, but he obviously he's gotten
very very good at protecting the football. Just what three
or four picks for the season. Offense has taken off
since Christian Watson returned from the ACL injury three or
four weeks ago. They got Jayden Reid back and immediately
put him into the mix. So you know, you've got
Patrick Sartan, the best cornerback in football. Jayqwan McMillan is
(35:50):
a really good slot corner who might be assigned read.
Do you sense that they're just gonna say, all right, Patrick,
you've got number nine, and ja Quan you've got number
eleven or number eleven and Read. Now you just take
those guys out and see if anybody else on that
offense can can bother us.
Speaker 11 (36:06):
I think so. I think Christian Watson on such a
heater right now that he's earned the respect of this
defense where you're gonna put Patrick Sartaan and wherever he
goes on the field. You know, if they play the Raiders,
you know they're not having certain follow Trey Tucker everywhere
against those elite receivers. They're willing to you know, if
(36:27):
Christian Watson lines up in the slot I think they'll
have Sirtan bump the Jaquan out of the spot and
follow him in there. You know, barn their their first
round pick this year, has had a limited role, but
his ability to play outside play inside has really freed
them up to be even more flexible with certain and
how they want to deploy them because they just have
more options now to answer whatever opposing offenses are throwing
(36:51):
at them. They've even started rotating the cornerbacks to like
try and keep them fresh so they're not having to
sprint so much all over the place. I think that
might help against the Packers and the man heavy you
know or just an athlete heavy weapons TRUP. They have
the one thing I'm really worried about in this one
from a coverage perspective, though, because I think everyone can
(37:11):
mainly match up with everyone. I'm worried about Riley Moss downfield.
You know, Jordan Love's going to take these explosive deep
shots and Filey Moss is a better player than I
think his national perception or even local perception would lead
you to believe. But man, the flags have been a
real problem with this guy. Even if he has good
coverage on you know, whoever it may be the Bontavian
Wicks or whoever else. There's a very healthy chance he
(37:34):
gets a PI and it's a free fifty yard play
for the Packers. And then I think you've got to
be worried about Alex Singleton. Every team has gone at him, has,
you know, put him under the microscope. This year when
they played the Colts, it was Tyler Warren's he's seen
on him. And you know, Luke Musgrave isn't Tyler Warren,
but he is an impressive athletic tight end, a good
catcher of the football. If the Packers had Tucker Craft
(37:55):
in this game, I'd be shivering in my boots. But
I think Tucker or Luke Muskrats can still cause them
a lot of problems and need this to be a big,
great game for the Broncos. But they've been leaning more
on Alex Singleton and he's a very vulnerable and coverage.
Speaker 3 (38:09):
We're talking with Zach Segers, host of Let's Talk Broncos
Works at KOA Radio in Denver as well. Flip to
the other side of the ball, bo Knicks in that
offense I mentioned earlier, it's not a scary group of
skill position players, But bo Knicks is learning on the fly.
He's got a great offensive coach obviously helping him become
a really nice young NFL quarterback, and he's just found
(38:29):
a way to get hot and win games in the
fourth quarter. I guess that's probably the recipe, right, just
keep this game close, because bow Knicks seems to save
some magic for when the games are in doubt, and
that's worked pretty well so far this season.
Speaker 4 (38:43):
It has.
Speaker 11 (38:44):
I don't know if that'll work this week against the
Green Bay Packers with with Micah Parsons those quick pressures.
I heard a stat this week that you've got like
thirty two quick pressures in the fourth quarter alone. You
do not want that Green Bay defense pinning it two
years back late, thankfully for the Broncos. I do think
we've seen a little more sustainability out of Bownicks where
(39:06):
it's not just those fourth quarters. At least recently against
the Chiefs, you saw a good complete game, pretty close
to it. Against the Commanders, it was like the good
first three quarters and then he kind of faded in
the fourth, which wasn't great. Against the Raiders, you know,
good complete game out of oo. I think he's one
of his best of the season. Now, all three of
(39:27):
those defenses that you look this year are bottom ten
defenses in a lot of metrics. The Packers are far
from that. So it's going to be a test room
to see if he can keep that rolling against this
Packers defense, especially a defense that plays so much zone coverage.
His splits versus man as opposed to his zone have
been dramatic. But you know, this Broncos defense, I think
(39:48):
the secret ingredient is Sean Taytan. He continues to put
this offense into positions to succeed. The defense continues to
get them short fields, even though they haven't gotten a
lot of takeaways this year. Marvin Mims also is an
excellent returner. He helps that out. And you know, the
line just does a great job protecting bow not exposing
(40:08):
him to pressure. And you've just got enough things pulling
together to where the offense is, you know, pretty solid.
I think they're you know, averaging more points per game
than the Packers, for whatever that's worth. And you know,
of course there's a lot of variables there, but you know,
this can be a I think a dangerous attack in spurts,
and I think they're coming into the best version of
(40:30):
themselves right now. R J. Harvey's I think the big
X factor on offense, though he's struggled after having to
take over for JK. Dobbins due to injury, but last
week was his best performance of the season. It seems
like the game might be slowing down for himself. Maybe
he's gained some confidence. They're going to have to wan
on that run game because kind of to the point
of your question, you can't put this offense exclusively on
(40:50):
Bonix's shoulders and expect success.
Speaker 3 (40:52):
Great stuff, Zach, appreciate the time, enjoy the game today
and thanks for getting up early for us.
Speaker 11 (40:57):
My man, of course, thanks so much for having me, Dave,
go you.
Speaker 4 (41:00):
Two, Zach.
Speaker 3 (41:00):
Seeger's host of Let's Talk Broncos podcast, Brett Blake Moore.
Speaker 4 (41:06):
It's a big one. We got the Bear Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (41:08):
We got two big road tests coming up against playoff
caliber teams.
Speaker 4 (41:13):
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 3 (41:14):
Can the Pact make it five in a row and
bust that ten game winning streak today?
Speaker 1 (41:17):
I think they can something that he had great insight,
but he mentioned the knucklehead throws.
Speaker 4 (41:23):
Yeah, narrative, narrative.
Speaker 1 (41:25):
I just it permeates through every I don't know why,
because the numbers clearly show that that's not the case.
But I think, speaking of narratives, even though I don't
think the Broncos they're good and they could beat Green Bay,
I don't think they're as good as their record indicates.
But even so, I think this is a narrative moving game.
I think this is a If green Bay wins this,
(41:45):
you're gonna start seeing the steven A's and the big
talking heads go look at green Bay, even though I
don't really think this would be that monumental of a win.
If they did win, I think it's a twenty one seventeen,
twenty one to fourteen. I think a low scoring game.
I think it's going to be a defensive showing, but
it's got to be a LA floor game, scheming up
ways to keep Love safe and get the ball out
(42:06):
and beat man coverage.
Speaker 3 (42:07):
If the Packers win this game, it's going to be
on the arm of Jordan Love and the MVP drum
beat's going to get louder. He's number three right now,
behind May and Stafford a distant third, but with two
big road games coming up in the next seven days,
on the road against Denver in Chicago. If the Packers
win these two games, Jordan Love is going to be
talking about as an MVP candidate, if he's not already.
Even more so. So that's something to take along with
(42:30):
the action that we see on the field today. I
like green Bay's chances today. You can read my preview
as always at Zone coverage dot com. I've got a
twenty four to twenty one. I think green Bay gets
it done late. I think it's an Xavier McKinney day.
They're not going to take a lot of deep shots,
and that's where you tend to see McKinney. But I
just have a feeling Xavier McKinney makes his presence felt today.
(42:52):
I'll remind you Brett and I will have a review
podcast tomorrow morning. Please listen to that. Go to the
iHeart app click on Packer Preview and you'll hear our
Packer review podcast. We may have to do a Packer
preview one on the Bears before the Bears game next week.
Brett Blakemore, let's chat about that. Follow both of us
on Twitter for news. But I'm just thinking we might
(43:13):
need to preview that Bears game since the game is
on Saturday Night next week. I think it comes down
to third downs again, that strength on strength. Packers have
been great on third down. This offensive line is going
to be tested unlike it's been tested all season against
this Denver defense.
Speaker 4 (43:28):
But same thing for them.
Speaker 3 (43:29):
With apologies to Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, this is
not twenty twenty four for those two quarterbacks. And while
Denver had some success against those two guys, they're facing
an offense that's playing at a much higher level right
now than either the Chiefs or the Eagles. Great to
have Josh Jacobs playing. We'll see how much he can
give this team today. Emmanuel Wilson chip on shoulder, if
(43:50):
he's healthy enough to go, he should support that run
game as well. Got to run on this team, keep
that pass rush honest. And with Jayden Reid and Christian
Watson and and tavi On Wicks and Matthew Golden and
Romeo Dobbs and Luke Musgrave, I think the Packers have
enough places to find holes in that defense. As Zach said,
Riley Moss a guy that's going to take some chances.
(44:10):
Maybe Dan tavi on Wicks beats him a couple of
times if Sirtan has his attention on Christian Watson. Great
test for this Packer team today, a great road test
to see really where they are. And Brett, you're one
hundred percent right. A win today changes the narrative nationally.
Green Bay is considered a Super Bowl contender. They're the
third pick right now. I think that drumbeat again gets
(44:30):
louder with a win on the road against a team
that's won ten straight in that stadium. Enjoy the game today,
three twenty five kickoff. We'll talk about it tomorrow on
Packer Review. As always, go packed
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