Packers vs Broncos Pre Game Thread

[milani]

Especially when you're putting a load on your heart with extreme exertion. Good way to blow a hose.

Reminds of some of the old performers that would take salt tablets before a loud, live show so they would sweat. Thought the girls liked it.

 

[Krabs]

The Sunday forecast for Denver, Colorado is 55 degrees and party sunny.

Be like a heat wave compared to what Green Bay has coming. It's going to be chilly!

 

[Pugger]

This is probably going to be a tough game, and it could go either way. That Chicago game laid a beating on the team; a lot of key players are on the injury list today. Jacobs may have aggravated his knee injury (deep contusion), and did not practice. Golden, Wicks, Williams, Reed, Tom, Cox, Enegbare, and Bullard were all limited participation, but should be good to go in Denver. Lloyd and Van Ness were also LP, no word yet on whether they'll be ready to come back on Sunday.

There's one obscure factoid that I haven't seen anyone mention, and while I'm not sure how meaningful it is, I do find it interesting.

From what I've been able to learn, Denver has the biggest home field, home ice, and home court advantage in professional sports - the elevation. It's harder for football, basketball, and hockey teams to win there than any other major city. The Nuggets and Avalanche have the historically best home won/loss records in their leagues, and up until a few years ago, so did the Broncos. I believe they still do, and are the only NFL team that has a better home winning percentage than Green Bay. (BTW, I didn't even bother checking baseball; it's not really a factor in that sport).

Does anyone know when the Packers plan on traveling? Because they really ought to be on their way today. I remember from being a Wild fan and watching them play against the Avalanche that the conventional wisdom is that it generally takes an athlete about 3 days to acclimate to that elevation. I believe McCarthy took them out at least 2 days prior in 2015, so they could get at least one practice in at that elevation.

It didn't work; that was their last Super Bowl year, and they troutslapped us. Put up 500 yards of total offense, 340 in the air and 160 on the ground. But going out several days early is still a good practice.

I think the altitude will be a big issue for us on Sunday. I recall visiting my brother when he was a grad student at U of Colorado and I got winded just walking around town. I was younger than our players are back then too. I'm not surprised teams in that city have a big home field advantage. I'll be surprised if we prevail.

 

[Pugger]

Be like a heat wave compared to what Green Bay has coming. It's going to be chilly!

9 degrees in more than chilly.

 

[OldSchool101]

This will be another good team we are playing in their house. Even though it’s an AFC opponent, it’s nearly a postseason lock winning in Denver along with a major statement game. A 10-3-1 record trumps anything less than 11 Wins with 3 games still remaining which for myself substantiates our strength.
Beating a pair of teams with 9 or 10 game Win streaks? That there becomes a very compelling argument that we’re a bonafide deep playoff contender. Maybe not yet the leading threat, but closing the gap behind teams like the LA Rams. At minimum a Victory in Denver states Gb is certainly capable of bringing an upset with any top playoff contender remaining.

We already have seen enough to formulate an opinion of our Defense. Maybe not Top 3 elite material, but plenty good to slow teams down and give the Offense (and Teams) some opportunities to shine. As long as Reed and Watson are clicking we’re a threat. While Wilson is not quite Josh Jacobs, EW has shown (with ample sample size) to produce at a very respectable level. He’d also very fresh without much mileage and there is significance in players with low usage being injected last quarter going into playoffs. GB has Lots of talented, nice 2nd and 3rd option Receivers. Our WR room is Medium high Ceiling but also Medium-High floor.

 

[DoURant]

9 degrees in more than chilly.

Where I live, the forecast high for tomorrow is +3. We see that in January and February... it's been a minute since we had that cold of a day, for a high, in December.

 

[milani]

This will be another good team we are playing in their house. Even though it’s an AFC opponent, it’s nearly a postseason lock winning in Denver along with a major statement game. A 10-3-1 record trumps anything less than 11 Wins with 3 games still remaining which for myself substantiates our strength.
Beating a pair of teams with 9 or 10 game Win streaks? That there becomes a very compelling argument that we’re a bonafide deep playoff contender. Maybe not yet the leading threat, but closing the gap behind teams like the LA Rams. At minimum a Victory in Denver states Gb is certainly capable of bringing an upset with any top playoff contender remaining.

We already have seen enough to formulate an opinion of our Defense. Maybe not Top 3 elite material, but plenty good to slow teams down and give the Offense (and Teams) some opportunities to shine. As long as Reed and Watson are clicking we’re a threat. While Wilson is not quite Josh Jacobs. He’s shown to produce at a very respectable level and he’s very fresh without much mileage. Lots of nice 2nd option Receivers in GB. Our WR room is Medium high Ceiling but also Medium-High floor.

We need Jacobs for these games. I think we overused him last Sunday. You saw those 2 runs on the last TD drive. I do not think anyone we have can duplicate that. It was sheer Jimmy Taylor power and instinct. Obviously, if we were in a game in which our position was solidified he would not be even considered.

 

[Thirteen Below]

We need Jacobs for these games. I think we overused him last Sunday. You saw those 2 runs on the last TD drive. I do not think anyone we have can duplicate that. It was sheer Jimmy Taylor power and instinct. Obviously, if we were in a game in which our position was solidified he would not be even considered.

There's a good chance Jacobs will aggravate that injury again this week, if the swelling even goes down enough for him to play at all. He was LP today, DNP all week, and is listed as questionable. Lloyd was LP Wednesday and Thursday, DNP today, and is out this weekend. Not good. Our running game is going to suffer; we can't afford to break Jacobs.

This was one of the things I worried about earlier this year - that if Lloyd missed a lot of time, we'd be going into December with a banged-up, beat-up 27-year old back carrying most of the footballs. And that's where we are. Lloyd missing at least the first 14 games is really a bad thing.

I remember last year, there was talk of the "1800 carry cliff" for some older RB... can't recall who. Apparently this is a thing (albeit an obscure one); statistically, right around 1800 career carries is right around the point where most backs show a significant drop in productivity and durability. Jacobs hit 1812 last weekend, and 300 carries last year - his second highest total.

It's way too soon to say the sky is falling and he's near the end of the road, but the fact is, he's closer to the end than he is the beginning. He's taken a lot of hits over the years. By comparison, Aaron Jones is 4 years older, and he's averaged 2/3 of Jacob's workload over his career. He never had more than about 230 carries in a season here; we spread his load out a lot more. Something we were expecting to do between Jacobs and Lloyd the last 2 years, but it didn't work out that way.

There's a lot riding on Lloyd right now. If we do get him back for the last 2 or 3 games, and he goes down again, we're going to be in a bad place with our RB room going forward. Probably in a position where we have no choice but to go RB on Day 2 again, which I'm sure none of us were expecting when we drafted Lloyd.

 

[milani]

There's a good chance Jacobs will aggravate that injury again this week, if the swelling even goes down enough for him to play at all. He was LP today, DNP all week, and is listed as questionable. Lloyd was LP Wednesday and Thursday, DNP today, and is out this weekend. Not good. Our running game is going to suffer; we can't afford to break Jacobs.

This was one of the things I worried about earlier this year - that if Lloyd missed a lot of time, we'd be going into December with a banged-up, beat-up 27-year old back carrying most of the footballs. And that's where we are. Lloyd missing at least the first 14 games is really a bad thing.

I remember last year, there was talk of the "1800 carry cliff" for some older RB... can't recall who. Apparently this is a thing (albeit an obscure one); statistically, right around 1800 career carries is right around the point where most backs show a significant drop in productivity and durability. Jacobs hit 1812 last weekend, and 300 carries last year - his second highest total.

It's way too soon to say the sky is falling and he's near the end of the road, but the fact is, he's closer to the end than he is the beginning. He's taken a lot of hits over the years. By comparison, Aaron Jones is 4 years older, and he's averaged 2/3 of Jacob's workload over his career. He never had more than about 230 carries in a season here; we spread his load out a lot more. Something we were expecting to do between Jacobs and Lloyd the last 2 years, but it didn't work out that way.

There's a lot riding on Lloyd right now. If we do get him back for the last 2 or 3 games, and he goes down again, we're going to be in a bad place with our RB room going forward. Probably in a position where we have no choice but to go RB on Day 2 again, which I'm sure none of us were expecting when we drafted Lloyd.

Lloyd will not be back this season unless we go deep in the postseason and Jacobs were to go down completely. He has not played for either season and the absence of live gameday action cannot be replicated over night. We cannot mimic preseason with the playoffs up for grabs. Add to that you need to experience the playbook besides learning it. A full preseason in 2026 will determine Lloyd's future.
If Jacobs can go the Packers will use him even if limited. The next 4 games are almost a must. To win without Jacobs can be done against lesser defenses. But the Broncos pass rush is ferocious. They stop the run by beating you off the ball. And you have to have a 2 headed monster in the backfield, one who can both pass block and pile drive.
If Jacobs cannot go our chances of winning drop significantly. But that is football.

 

[gopkrs]

If it would really help; I'd say to rest him.

 

[milani]

Just heard that Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury while practicing today. Well, that should quell those who expected to see Lloyd in 2025. Pack it in. If he gets hurt in spring practices or in the preseason in 2026 just part ways. I still believe he is Justin Harrell II. Too bad. Even if he survives training camp next year I cannot see him lasting more than a few games. Maybe trade him to the Raiders for a DT. In addition, the Broncos are now the favorites by 1.5 points. As the week progressed the betting lines did also. Wonder if the Jacobs news affected it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

There was a thing a decade or so back about athletes adding a pint of blood to their bodies to add red cells for O2. I don't recall anything more than the idea surfaced and maybe someone got caught?

I think blood doping has been used by people competing in the Tour de France. Some of the segments are at altitude with many climbs. And yeah, the reason is to get more O2 to the muscles.

I don't know how blood doping is screened. It would require a blood draw, although I'm guessing that's required tocatch PEDs along with urine samples.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Oh, that's a great thought. I remember now - blood doping. It was a big deal in the Olympics some years back, when they were held at a city high in the mountains. The American cycling team got busted in the 80s, and the Russians tried to get away with it about 10 years ago.

I just looked it up, and yeah, it is illegal in the NFL. So, I guess that one's off the table.

I wonder how blood doping is detected. It doesn't involve chemicals, just training at altitude to improve delivery of O2, drawing a pint of blood and infusing before a competition.s

 

[Poppa San]

9 degrees in more than chilly.

Just had to run to the detached garage for a few minutes to get some tools. Minus 6 is current temp in Green Bay. Had to put my flannel shirt on over my T-shirt. Also grabbed some gloves just for the cold tools. Subzero steel is right cold and grabbing it is a TV sitcom thing. We decided to wait until next weekend to run to the dump.

I wonder how blood doping is detected. It doesn't involve chemicals, just training at altitude to improve delivery of O2, drawing a pint of blood and infusing before a competition.

Possibly platelet count?

 

[OldSchool101]

We need Jacobs for these games. I think we overused him last Sunday. You saw those 2 runs on the last TD drive. I do not think anyone we have can duplicate that. It was sheer Jimmy Taylor power and instinct. Obviously, if we were in a game in which our position was solidified he would not be even considered.

Sure. It’s always best to have our RB1 out there. Although we also need to use him wisely and not play him hurt. Similarly to his being an asset we don’t want to risk him to injury if he’s not ready. Emmanuel is actually logging the same per carry (4.0 per) so far this year if he needs to be used more.

I’d still say 75% chance Jacobs plays.. We can do that balancing snaps with EW and Jacobs if that makes sense.

 

[milani]

Sure. It’s always best to have our RB1 out there. Although we also need to use him wisely and not play him hurt. Similarly to his being an asset we don’t want to risk him to injury if he’s not ready. Emmanuel is actually logging the same per carry (4.0 per) so far this year if he needs to be used more.

I’d still say 75% chance Jacobs plays.. We can do that balancing snaps with EW and Jacobs if that makes sense.

Well, we just found out that Emmanuel Wilson has an illness. Terrific! This game may just go in the tank. Have to try and win the last 3. The winter weather can take its toll.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hard to make a perfect prediction but I would factor Denver Strength of Schedule has been the 2nd easiest (their opponents rank 31st combined records in real time)
Also their strength of Victory is ranked 28th. Meaning they’re barely beating lesser opponents.

Now you don’t Win 11 of 13 games being bad. I have Denver ranked very similar to Chicago strength. Here we do travel, however something I’ve noticed with this current team is we play good on the road. Might have to do with the overall age of our Roster.

GB seems to be better at passing Offense while Denver is better at Rushing Offense. Similar on Defense Denver is better against the Run but The Packers are better against the Pass.

For me GB would be -2 or so on a neutral field, but playing in Denver moves the margin to even or thereabouts. This should be a good battle and it might even come down to which players are out.

I have a feeling the Packers start quickly and win 24-14. Just a hunch that this game will be easier to win than Chicago, and for some of the reasons you give OS.

It will come down to Love versus Nix and I pick Love.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Sure. It’s always best to have our RB1 out there. Although we also need to use him wisely and not play him hurt. Similarly to his being an asset we don’t want to risk him to injury if he’s not ready. Emmanuel is actually logging the same per carry (4.0 per) so far this year if he needs to be used more.

I’d still say 75% chance Jacobs plays.. We can do that balancing snaps with EW and Jacobs if that makes sense.

A balanced run game where Wilson gets more snaps than usual will work. Ugh, that is pretty obvious, and pretty likely considering 1) altitude and 2) Jacobs is banged up.

However they do it, they have to establish the run and RPO quickly. Not so easy against this D. One of those games where TOP determines who wins. The D can't give up 6 and 8 minute drives like they did with the Bears in the 2H last week.

 

[gopkrs]

Well, we just found out that Emmanuel Wilson has an illness. Terrific! This game may just go in the tank. Have to try and win the last 3. The winter weather can take its toll.

Could be interesting. I don't even know what RB we have on the practice squad.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Well, we just found out that Emmanuel Wilson has an illness. Terrific! This game may just go in the tank. Have to try and win the last 3. The winter weather can take its toll.

Thanks milani. Is he ruled out? Probably one of those game-time decisions. Wouldn't Brooks be the next man up, or is he gone? I haven't kept track.

And yeah, this early winter weather is fertile ground for the flu.

 

[Albert Park]

Could be interesting. I don't even know what RB we have on the practice squad.

Just seen on the injury and Roster moves that Pierre Strong Jr has been promoted from the practice squad.

Going to be an interesting game. One of those games where I won't be too bothered about a poor performance if we can scrape the win. Winning breeds confidence.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Could be interesting. I don't even know what RB we have on the practice squad.

I thought Brooks was still around. He may not be. I haven't paid attention to the run game beyond Jacobs and Wilson.

 

[DoURant]

Could be interesting. I don't even know what RB we have on the practice squad.

Pierre Strong Jr. And he has been elevated for the game. He was drafted in the 4th rd in 2022, played College at S. Dakota St, so he was teammates with Tucker Kraft.

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[DoURant]

I thought Brooks was still around. He may not be. I haven't paid attention to the run game beyond Jacobs and Wilson.

Brooks will play tomorrow, he is active every week, and gets around 5-10 offensive snaps per game.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Pierre Strong Jr. And he has been elevated for the game. He was drafted in the 4th rd in 2022, played College at S. Dakota St, so he was teammates with Tucker Kraft.

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Next man up! They still need to dress two RBs. Not sure how badly Jacobs is banged up. And Strong has been around since 2022? Time to make a name for himself.

It also increases the risks of TOs, starting a guy who has seen zero snaps this year, and probably didn't get any practice time in.