» Packers:
Starting QB yanked after just nine plays
Among the highlights as the Packers battle the Broncos in an exhibition game is Kentrell Brice returning an interception for 42 yards, leading to a touchdown.
DENVER - With backups rotating at right tackle, the Green Bay Packers made sure to limit Aaron Rodgers’ exposure to the Denver Broncos’ fierce pass rush Saturday night.
Rodgers was on the field for just nine plays of the Packers' third exhibition game and was yanked in the first quarter after only two possessions. His final play was a sack, Rodgers dropped 11 yards behind the line of scrimmage when Broncos All-Pro Von Miller beat right tackle Jason Spriggs with a slick spin move.
The sight of Rodgers being pulled down to the ground at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium proved too much for coach Mike McCarthy to stomach. When the Packers trotted onto the field for their third drive, starting at the Broncos’ 2-yard line following an interception from safety Kentrell Brice, backup quarterback Brett Hundley was behind center.
With Rodgers on the field, the Packers' offense managed a meager 33 yards against a Broncos defense that ranked among the NFL’s best last season. He led a seven-play, 29-yard drive that ended with a 52-yard field goal from kicker Mason Crosby. Rodgers finished 3-of-5 for 12 yards and a 64.6 rating.
Hundley finished the first half after replacing Rodgers.
His first play from the 2yard line came after Brice returned his interception 42 yards, tackled just short of scoring a touchdown. It only took one play for running back Ty Montgomery to barrel into the end zone.
Montgomery, who didn’t play the previous week in Washington because of a soft-tissue injury, flashed some playmaking for what had been a sluggish Packers run game. He had 31 rushing yards on three carries, including a 25yard run that was the longest for any Packers running back this preseason. His touchdown was the first for any Packers running back this preseason.
The Packers backup offensive line continued its erratic protection. Hundley was sacked twice, lifting his total for three exhibitions to seven. Despite the shoddy blocking, he was accurate. Hundley completed 8 of 10 passes for 83 yards in the first half, a 101.2 rating. He started the second half for the Packers.
Hundley’s favorite receiver Saturday was running back Jamaal Williams. The rookie tailback has not yet gotten on track in the run game this preseason — he had just four yards on three carries in the first half — but caught each of the three passes Hundley threw him for 46 yards. Williams, known before the draft for his downhill running, showed his versatility serving as Hundley’s safety valve when protection broke down.
The Packers’ most promising drive with Hundley on the field was thwarted on fourth-andinches from the Broncos’ 40-yard line. One play after the two-minute warning, right tackle Kyle Murphy missed a block against Broncos defensive end Shelby Harris, allowing him to tackle Hundley for no gain on a quarterback sneak.
Murphy got the start Saturday night with Bryan Bulaga’s ankle injury preventing him from playing. He and Spriggs rotated possessions at right guard through the first three possessions, after which Spriggs replaced starter David Bakhtiari at left tackle and Murphy remained at right tackle.
The Broncos took advantage of their good field position before halftime, driving 50 yards on nine plays to the Packers’ 10-yard line. One series after holding inside the red zone on fourth down, the Packers defense kept the Broncos out of the end zone once again. Kicker Brandon McManus closed the first half with a 28-yard field goal, pulling the score even at 10.
The Packers allowed one touchdown in the first half, a 16-yard run by Broncos running back C.J. Anderson. On the play, Broncos right tackle Menelik Watson turned outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert outside, opening a wide lane for Anderson.
Gilbert, fighting for a roster spot, got perhaps more snaps than expected in Denver thanks to attrition at linebacker. Nick Perry left in the first quarter with an ankle injury, and backup Jayrone Elliott left in the second quarter with a back injury. Other than the touchdown, Gilbert played well with his snaps. He recorded a sack for the second straight week, upending Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch early in the third quarter.
The Packers secondary fared well against inaccurate Broncos starter Trevor Siemian. Often overthrowing receivers when his passes weren’t wide, Siemian played the first half and finished 13 of 22 for 127 yards, one interception and a 56.4 passer rating. Lynch replaced Siemian to start the second half.