5 takeaways from the Broncos' 27-16 loss to the Packers

What did we learn from the Broncos' third-consecutive loss?

The Denver Broncos went into Lambeau Field looking to get themselves on the right track, but much like the rain in blustery Green Bay, the effectiveness of Vic Fangio's squad came and went throughout the majority of the game.

Denver's offense was able to sustain several long drives and finally got the running game going, but continued to shoot themselves in the foot with costly turnovers that resulted in 14 Packer points, leading to a 27-16 loss and an 0-3 start.

The frustrating losses continue to pile up to start the 2019 season, but this one feels a little bit different. It was still a positive showing from a team in rebuild mode, and here is why.

Broncos show resilience in defeat

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While this loss was another case of "death by inches", it was a big step in the right direction that this team showed some resolve and resilience in certain areas, something the Broncos weren't able to show over the course of the Vance Joseph era.

Despite continuously shooting themselves in the foot in Green Bay, the Broncos were in the game with a chance to win until about half-way through the fourth quarter. Denver kept fighting, trying to find a way to win for the first time ever in Wisconsin. They showed mental fortitude all the way through the end.

It wasn't enough, but it was good to see.

That was arguably the brightest takeaway from another frustrating loss. It was far and away a different showing from the team demeanor over the past two years.

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers

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In all actuality, had it not been for two costly fumbles in their own territory, the Broncos had a huge chance to upset the Packers on the road. But a strip-sack on Joe Flacco set up an opportunity for the Packers at the five-yard line, which was later followed by a huge mistake by Noah Fant trying to fight for more yardage only to see Jaire Alexander forcefully strip the ball from his hands to set up Aaron Rodgers on the Broncos' 37-yard line.

Denver's offense was rolling for the majority of the day (more on that later) and a huge Flacco interception killed a chance for the Broncos to even up the score in the third quarter, if the offense could find a way to get into the end zone and finish a two-point conversion.

The Packers' defense now has a league-high eight total turnovers on the season, and their three takeaways on Sunday were the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Broncos.

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Broncos' offense finally takes off

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It wasn't pretty at times, but the Broncos' offense actually had a lot of success in sustaining drives against a stout Packers' defense. Denver ran 73 total offensive plays and had three long scoring drives over 60 yards each. 

Denver had consecutive 15‐play scoring drives in the first half, which is a marked improvement, considering it had only one scoring drive of 15 or more plays in all of 2018.  

The offensive line ground out 149 yards rushing on the afternoon, and was mostly solid in the passing game despite allowing six sacks on the day. Sometimes, the stat sheet doesn't indicate a unit's level of performance. 

Three of those sacks were due to Joe Flacco trying to push the ball downfield, and he was holding the ball far too long. The other three? Yikes, boys.

16 points on the scoreboard isn't awe-inspiring in the slightest, but two of Denver's three turnovers absolutely killed their offensive momentum and effectiveness they'd built up.

Pass rush was (more) effective but still couldn't close

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One of the most eye-opening storylines to start this season was the fact that the Broncos' pass rush had posted zero sacks through two games and the loss to the Packers extended that streak to three, setting a new historical precedent. 

With Von Miller and Bradley Chubb getting to play under Vic Fangio, the overall lack of pass pressure has been turning heads all over the NFL. In fact, this marks the first time in franchise history that the Broncos defense has not recorded a sack or turnover through the first three games.

Sunday was a different story in terms of the fine print, but the results were the same. With questionable defensive play calls in 3rd-&-long situations and Aaron Rodgers' continuing elusiveness in the pocket, Denver still couldn't manage to put a sack on the stat sheet.

Despite that, the Broncos did manage to create a lot of pressure on Rodgers throughout the game. They may not have been able to get him to the ground, but they did get him off of his spot and harass him constantly, holding Green Bay to just 2-of-9 on third down attempts. 

The problem with that? Rodgers excels when throwing on the move, and there were a couple of plays where he extended the play and converted the first down, most notably on a completion to Marquez Valdez-Scantling on that 3rd-&-13 in the first quarter.

Conservative decision making continues to haunt the Broncos

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Whether it's the fault of the play calling or a faulty mentality of the coaching staff (or both), the Broncos' conservative attitude really cost them more opportunities on offense. Vic Fangio is very well known for his aversion to blitzing in his defensive play calls, choosing to let his complex coverage schemes create confusion for his opponents. 

Not to beat a dead horse here, but not dialing up any sort of pressure schemes in obvious passing situations takes away from his best players' strengths.

Denver had opportunities to get to Rodgers on 3rd-&-15, 3rd-&-13, and 3rd-&-20. On two of those plays, the Broncos only brought three pass rushers, choosing to drop into heavy zone coverage rather than dial up a pass rush. The other was a 17-yard shovel-pass screen against a four-man pressure scheme. Only Coach Fangio can explain that one, and it better be a good one.

Offensively, not trying to bump the tempo up and conserve as much time as possible, not only in the fourth quarter but in their two-minute drill to close out the first half, cost the Broncos a chance to narrow the gap and come away with a victory.

There were times I was left scratching my head and screaming at my television for the offense to get to the line of scrimmage and push the tempo. Only rushing three players on obvious passing situations bailed the Packers' offense out of several situations that could have given the Broncos the ball back with decent field position.

While the change in the demeanor of the players was great to see, the lack of aggression when it mattered most was uncomfortably comparable to the past couple of seasons.

Bottom line

It looks far and away better from what we've seen over the past few seasons, but this Broncos team still has a long way to go. This was a very winnable game for Denver. They just continue to make the little mistakes that allow them to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Costly turnovers, lack of aggression and poor execution are the biggest flaws to this Broncos team. But the way they are losing this year is still leaps and bounds different from last year and prior. The Broncos aren't being outcoached. They are just failing to do the little things necessary to win games like this one.

We're starting to see the turnaround. Maybe it'll result in a victory next week. 

Follow Lance on Twitter @SandersonMHH and @MileHighHuddle.