Why They Lost: Green Bay Gets Demolished In Denver

Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback

(18) throws a pass during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Sackless Pass Rush

Notice anything in that picture?

There’s not a single Packers player near Peyton Manning as he drops back to pass.

That was a theme of the night for the defense.

Coming into the game, Green Bay had racked up 23 sacks. They also were on an impressive streak of 42 straight games with at least one sack — a franchise- and league-best mark.

Denver came in with an offensive line that has been decimated by injuries and allowed much more pressure on Peyton Manning than we’ve ever been accustomed to seeing him face on a weekly basis.

It appears to add up to a big day for the Packers’ pass rush, right?

Apparently not.

These guys were kept well away from Manning all night. They got a measly three quarterback hits and zero sacks despite having all their pieces in play against that supposedly-derelict offensive line while Manning made plenty of plays; short, mid-range, deep, off play-action, using rollouts, quick throws, even holding onto it for awhile.

It didn’t matter what they called or who they sent, the defense could not get to Manning on a night where their offense was useless.

It’s as if each side was competing to prove who could be most inept.

Next: Broncos' Pass Rush