Broncos at Packers third quarter recap

The Denver Broncos received the ball to start the second half down 17-10 to the Green Bay Packers.

Denver came out attacking the Packers run defense as Phillip Lindsay gained eight yards on the first two plays to open the second half. Joe Flacco spread things out on third and two and found Noah Fant for a first down reception who had the ball stripped from his arms before he hit the ground to set up Green Bay with the ball in scoring position.

From the Broncos 27 yard line, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers looked to put the dagger in the Broncos after another takeaway. Josey Jewell was burned by the Packers fullback on a deep pass down to the one yard line.

Shelby Harris made a big play on the first goal line play breaking through, but he was egregiously held. There would be no call while the Packers running back bounced it outside for the touchdown.

Packers 24, Broncos 10.

Royce Freeman dragged nearly the entire Packers defense with him for a 12 yard gain on the Broncos first play on the next possession.

Flacco found Lindsay outside on a swing pass who broke a tackle and followed a block by Courtland Sutton down the field for a 36 yard gain to the Packers 28 yard line. Flacco had his next throw sail on him to a wide open Sutton for an incompletion.

After an untimely timeout down by two touchdowns, the Broncos went to the ground with Lindsay again to shorten the third down and distance to six yards. Flacco, from the shotgun, hit Sutton low for a first down.

Two plays later, Flacco hit Jeff Heuerman in the flat who broke two tackles on his way to a ten yard gain to setup a first and goal at the Packers eight yard line. Freeman took the first hand off for four yards. Lindsay pushed it through for three more yards down to the one yard line. Sutton caught a pass and just barely dragged his toe out of bounds.

On fourth and goal, Lindsay was stuffed, but rookie Dalton Risner picked Lindsay up and threw him over the goal line for the touchdown.

Brandon McManus doinked the extra point attempt.

Packers 24, Broncos 16.

The Packers opened with a holding penalty on first down and the pass rush got to Rodgers on second down where he was forced to throw it away. The pass rush got there again with Kareem Jackson blitzing to bring out a third and 20. Rodgers, from the shotgun, pitched it to Jamal Williams who got 17 of those yards back.

Diontae Spencer should not have returned the punt from his own three yard line, while Trey Marshall egregiously committed a block in the back to give the Broncos the ball at their own 2 yard line.

From the I-formation, Flacco handed the ball off to Lindsay for a two yard gain. Lindsay again up the gut for two yards set up a third and six. Flacco looked for Sutton deep who broke free wide open for a 52 yard gain.

After a three yard run by Freeman, Flacco threw an interception as the ball slipped out of his hand as he was throwing - likely due to the heavy rain - and the Broncos put the ball back in Rodgers’ hands.

The turnovers have been a death blow. That last one likely sealed their hopes for a comeback win.

From their own 28-yard line, the Packers kept things on the ground to start their next drive. Fortunately, the Broncos defense got off the field quickly to end the third quarter to get the ball back to the offense.