Vanessa: Nick, the starters are going to play against Denver. That means we finally get to see Jordan Love and this offense with the real guys out there. I've been waiting all summer for this.
Nick: And I've been waiting to see if they can actually score a touchdown. Because last week, nine points against Pittsburgh was not it.
Vanessa: You're not wrong. And that's why today we're breaking down the Packers' second preseason game against the Broncos. What we need to see from the starters, the injury situation, and our bold predictions. I'm Vanessa, and as always, Nick is here with me. Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, Packers fam.
Nick: Let's get into it. We've got a lot to cover.
Vanessa: So let's start with the big picture. The Packers are 0-1 after that ugly loss to the Steelers. What went wrong, and what does that mean for this week?
Nick: Well, the scoreboard says 28-9, but the vibe was worse. The offense couldn't get anything going, especially in the red zone. We had three field goals from Trey Smack, but zero touchdowns. That's a problem.
Vanessa: And the defense gave up 28 points. Drew Allar, the rookie, looked like a vet. He threw for two touchdowns and ran one in himself. That Steelers offense moved the ball at will.
Nick: Yeah, Allar had 153 yards on 10-of-13 passing. Kaden Wetjen burned us for 79 yards on just two catches, one of them going for a touchdown. That's the kind of explosive play we can't give up.
Vanessa: But it's preseason, right? We can't overreact to one game. The starters barely played.
Nick: Exactly. And that's why this week is so important. Rob Demovsky is reporting that the starters are expected to play against Denver. That means Jordan Love and the first-team offense get a real chance to build some rhythm.
Vanessa: And the defense gets to face a Broncos team that's also searching for answers. This is a big opportunity for both units.
Nick: The key is to see progress. Last week, the offense looked disjointed. We need to see better communication on the offensive line, crisper routes, and more explosive plays. And on defense, we need to see tighter coverage and more pressure on the quarterback.
Vanessa: So what's the biggest storyline for you going into this game?
Nick: Honestly, it's the pass rush. We got only one sack last week, from Zaire Franklin. And with Micah Parsons still recovering from his ACL injury, we need someone to step up. Brenton Cox Jr. has been filling that void in camp, and I want to see him make a statement against Denver.
Vanessa: Brenton Cox Jr. — that's a name to watch. He's been getting a lot of buzz in camp. Can he carry that over to game action?
Nick: That's the question. But the whole defense needs to be better. We can't let the opposing quarterback sit back there and pick us apart.
Vanessa: Alright, let's get into the injury report, because that's always a big deal in preseason. What's the latest on some key guys?
Nick: The big names are all listed as questionable. Josh Jacobs, Tucker Kraft, Michael Pittman Jr., DK Metcalf — they're all questionable. But that's typical for this time of year.
Vanessa: Wait, DK Metcalf is a Packer? I thought he was a Steeler.
Nick: No, he's a Packer now. He was traded in the offseason. But he's been dealing with something, so we'll see if he plays.
Vanessa: Oh, right. My bad. So what about the guys we really need to see — like Jordan Love and the starting receivers?
Nick: Love is healthy, and we should see him with the ones. The receiving corps is deep, with guys like Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Skyy Moore. They need to get on the same page with Love, especially in the red zone.
Vanessa: And what about the running back situation? Josh Jacobs is questionable, but we've got a lot of depth there.
Nick: Yeah, MarShawn Lloyd and Damien Martinez are both competing for touches. Martinez had 20 yards on 8 carries last week, nothing special. But he's a physical runner, and I want to see him break a few tackles against Denver.
Vanessa: And on the defensive side, who are the guys you're watching?
Nick: I'm watching the cornerback battle. Keisean Nixon is not guaranteed a starting role, according to reports. That's a big deal. We need to see who steps up in coverage against Denver's receivers.
Vanessa: So it's a real competition. And what about the offensive line? We've got some guys banged up there too.
Nick: Darian Kinnard is questionable, and that's a concern. The line needs to protect Love and open up running lanes. If they can't do that, it's going to be a long night.
Vanessa: Alright, so let's talk about the actual game. What are the keys to beating the Broncos?
Nick: First, we need to establish the run. Whether it's Jacobs or one of the backups, we need to run the ball effectively. That sets up play-action and keeps the defense honest.
Vanessa: And on defense, what's the priority?
Nick: We need to get pressure on the quarterback. We only had one sack last week, and that's not going to cut it. The defensive line needs to win their one-on-one matchups and force some errant throws.
Vanessa: And we need to win the turnover battle. In preseason, it's about fundamentals, and protecting the football is huge.
Nick: Absolutely. If we can force a turnover or two and cash in on offense, that's a recipe for a win.
Vanessa: Alright, time for our bold predictions. We made some before the Steelers game, and let's just say they didn't all come true. But we're back at it. Nick, what's your bold prediction for this game?
Nick: I'm going to say Kyle McCord throws his first touchdown pass of the preseason. He had 102 yards last week, but no scores. He's been sharp in camp, and I think he gets one against Denver's backups.
Vanessa: I like that. What about the defense? We need to see more sacks.
Nick: I'll say the defense records at least three sacks. Brenton Cox Jr. gets one, and the rest come from the rotation. That's a big improvement from last week.
Vanessa: And I'm going to make the bold call that the Packers get their first win of the preseason. They're due for a bounce-back, and with the starters playing, I think they come out with energy and take care of business.
Nick: I'll take the over on that. Let's see it.
Vanessa: Alright, that's our show. Quick recap: we're looking for a better performance from the starters, a stronger pass rush, and a first win against the Broncos. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network, and share this episode with your fellow Packers fans.
Nick: And as always, Go Pack Go!
Vanessa: We'll be back tomorrow with the recap. Until then, stay safe and keep the faith. Go Pack Go!