Packers vs. Broncos recap: Trey Smack continues hot start
Aug 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack (28) lines up a field kick during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectComing into tonight's action, the Green Bay Packers hadn't won a game since December 7th against the Chicago Bears, as their last trip to Denver started them on a five game-losing streak (six if you want to include the preseason opener) that capped off with the team being sent home by those same Bears in the Wild Card round. Tonight, they sort of got that monkey off their back, as they beat the Broncos 33-13 at elevation.
Overall, the depth of the team played well on Friday, unlike their Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when their fourth-team defense gave up a lead and allowed three touchdowns in a row to end the game. This time, the Packers' defense (and offense) held strong, despite the Broncos keeping their first- and second-team units in the game significantly longer than Green Bay.
The story of the game, and the preseason, continues to be rookie kicker Trey Smack, though. The sixth-round pick went three of three last week, not including a deep field goal that was taken off the board because the Steelers committed a penalty. How would he outdo himself in Week 2? By going four of four (and three of three on PATs), including a 59-yard field goal, one yard longer than his long the previous week.
Look at Matt LaFleur's face after Trey Smack just hit a 59-yard field goal.
- SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) August 22, 2026
He's one of us... pic.twitter.com/mnUe3VfFwJ
In the kickoff game, Smack's kickoffs continue to be placed inside the 10-yard line and near the numbers, the toughest place for returners to bring the ball out from under the NFL's new dynamic kickoff" rules. All signs are positive on the rookie in live action. Hopefully, it'll continue through the regular season.
Elsewhere on special teams, fourth-string running back Pierre Strong Jr. busted a 68-yard kickoff return, while receiver Skyy Moore had a nice 16-yard punt return himself.
YOOOOOOOOO
- Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 22, 2026
: Packers TV Network pic.twitter.com/ytx4vBIY8m
On offense, a brewing debate among the Packers faithful is whether or not Kyle McCord, a 2025 draft pick who was signed on a reserve/futures deal, is out-playing backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. So far this preseason, McCord has completed 24 of 35 passes for 220 yards (6.3 yards per pass) and has orchestrated three successful two-minute drills, including two in the first half on Friday. Meanwhile, Taylor has thrown 16 passes for eight completions and 38 yards (2.8 yards per pass).
Here's a breakdown of how the game flow went tonight:
The starting offense played one drive, which lasted 12 plays and went 63 yards for a touchdown as quarterback Jordan Love found running back MarShawn Lloyd on an option route for paydirt.
The second-team offense played three drives before McCord got the opportunity for two two-minute drills to end the first half. On the first drive, matched up against the Broncos' starting defense, the backup offense punted, but they scored a touchdown and a field goal against Denver's second-team unit.
The Packers' starting defense actually played two drives, with the exception being that Brandon Cisse, who was hurt on special teams between drives, and the starting defensive line were sat for their second look. They allowed a touchdown on their first drive, as safety Xavier McKinney and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper gave up explosives through the air on third down, but held the starting offense (again - minus their starting defensive linemen) to a field goal.
The second-team defense played three drives and didn't allow a single point. In fact, they gave up just 32 yards over three drives. For perspective, the Broncos kept their second-team offense on the field until the early fourth quarter, while the Packers sat their second-unit for the entire second half.
On the injury front, all of these players were listed as scratches by Green Bay:
- RB Josh Jacobs (groin)
- WR Jayden Reed (ankle)
- TE Tucker Kraft (knee)
- TE Luke Musgrave (PUP, neck)
- LG Aaron Banks (knee)
- RT Zach Bako-Bewele (knee)
- OL Darian Kinnard (ankle)
- DL Javon Hargrave (knee)
- DL Jordon Riley (PUP, ankle)
- EDGE Micah Parsons (PUP, knee)
- EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (illness)
- CB Carrington Valentine (hamstring)
- S Javon Bullard (foot)
- LS Matt Orzech (PUP, calf)
Virtually everyone not on the PUP list is practicing with the team. Don't be scared of how long this list looks. The team is just being very conservative with injuries right now. Expect most of these players to be at practice in Green Bay next week.
As far as guys making their debuts, defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, cornerback Kamal Hadden and cornerback Domani Jackson played in their first preseason game of 2026 today. Hadden actually started in the slot role in place of Javon Bullard. Last week, it was safety Kitan Oladapo in the slot. Hadden looked like a noticeable improvement as a slot defender, compared to Oladapo, who has played better as a safety.
Interestingly, it doesn't look like Warren Brinson played a single snap of defense today, despite him not previously being listed with an injury either pre-game or in this week's set of practices. Stay tuned for an update there. Look for an update on Cisse, too, as we aren't sure on the specifics of his injury, other than he got hurt on special teams before the second defensive drive and was later seen riding on a stationary bike on the sideline.