World’s Best Preview: Packers-Broncos history lessons

For the third consecutive time, the Packers are undefeated headed into a matchup against Denver.

Undefeated the last time: In the most recent game of the series, the Denver Broncos clobbered the Green Bay Packers 29-10 on Nov. 1, 2015, in Denver. The primetime showdown was a battle of teams that entered 6-0.

Statistically, it was one of the worst days of Aaron Rodgers’ career. The Broncos limited Rodgers to 77 passing yards. That’s the fewest in a game started and finished by Rodgers. In fact, no other team has held Rodgers to less than 140 yards.

Video: Rodgers on importance of fast start for team, LaFleur

By net passing yards, the Packers were smoked 340-50, as Peyton Manning went 21-of-29 for 340 yards. Randall Cobb was Green Bay’s leading receiver with six catches for just 27 yards. Dating to at least 1950, that’s the eighth-fewest receiving yards for any receiver with six-plus catches in a game.

Denver’s defense led the way as it won the Super Bowl about three months later. Meanwhile, after that undefeated start, the Packers finished the season 10-6, won at Washington in the wild-card round and lost a heartbreaker at Arizona in overtime in the divisional round.

Receiver Davante Adams, who was part of that team, doesn’t think the Packers will get too big for their britches after a 2-0 start.

“It feels great and everybody’s spirits have been lifted because we are 2-0 and 2-0 in the division, which is big,” Adams said. “But I’ve been a part of this team. In 2015, we started off 6-0 and then we didn’t finish the right way. It’s a long season. We’ve got to make sure we’ve got our mind on the big picture of wanting to go 1-0 each week. Obviously, we can only take care of one game at a time. This type of team, some teams might get more excited about 2-0 than others, I think we’re excited about it but we’ve definitely got the big picture in mind.”

Series history: The series is tied 6-6-1 but the Broncos have never won a game in the state of Wisconsin. The Packers are 5-0-1 at home, including 4-0 at Lambeau Field. In 2011 – Denver’s most-recent trip to Green Bay – the high-flying Packers crushed the Broncos 49-23 on their way to a 13-0 start.

Throwbacks: The Packers will be revisiting some of their rich tradition by wearing their throwback uniforms. For the fifth consecutive year, they will be wearing a re-creation of the uniform they wore from the 1937 through 1948 seasons. In a stat that will have huge ramifications for Sunday, the Packers are 9-5 when wearing a third jersey, including 8-3 in the last 11.

499 and holding: Last week, the Packers denied the Vikings’ attempt at a 500th win in franchise history. This week, they’ll attempt to do the same against Denver. Of the eight original franchises when the AFL launched in 1960, only New England has surpassed the 500-win mark. In all, 13 teams have reached the 500-win mark.