The Green Bay Packers fell to the Denver Broncos 19-17 in Week 7, their third straight loss and fifth of the season. The Packers trailed 16-0 at halftime and made a comeback in the second half, but fell short.
Here are five takeaways from the Packers' loss to the Broncos:
1. Jordan Love struggled in his first start of the season
Jordan Love, making his first start of the season in place of the injured Aaron Rodgers, struggled against the Broncos' defense. Love completed 19 of 34 passes for 176 yards and one interception. He was also sacked twice.
Love had a few flashes of potential, but he also made some costly mistakes. His interception in the end zone in the second quarter was a major turning point in the game.
"Obviously, it wasn't the outcome we wanted," Love said after the game. "I felt like I could have played better. I made a few mistakes that cost us. But I'm going to learn from them and move on."
2. The Packers' offensive line was a major liability
The Packers' offensive line struggled to protect Love throughout the game. The Broncos sacked Love twice and pressured him on numerous other occasions.
The Packers' offensive line has been a problem all season long. They have allowed a league-high 32 sacks through the first seven games.
"We have to give Jordan more time to throw the ball," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said. "We have to protect him better."
3. The Packers' defense played well, but it wasn't enough
The Packers' defense played well against the Broncos' offense, holding them to just 19 points. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Packers' offensive struggles.
The Packers' defense forced two turnovers and sacked Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson three times. However, they also gave up a few big plays, including a 63-yard touchdown pass to Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
"We played well enough to win on defense," Packers linebacker Preston Smith said. "But we didn't give our offense enough chances to score."
4. The Packers need to find a way to get their running game going
The Packers' running game was ineffective against the Broncos. They rushed for just 73 yards on 22 carries.
The Packers need to find a way to get their running game going in order to take some of the pressure off of their quarterback. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are both talented running backs, but they haven't been able to consistently produce this season.
"We need to get the run game going," LaFleur said. "It's been a struggle for us all season long. We have to find a way to get our running backs more involved."
5. The Packers are in a tough spot
The Packers are now 2-5 and in last place in the NFC North. They have a difficult schedule remaining, with games against the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills all coming up.
The Packers need to find a way to turn things around quickly. If they don't, they could be in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
What the Packers need to do to turn things around
The Packers need to address a number of issues in order to turn things around. They need to improve their offensive line play, get their running game going, and find a way to get more consistent production from their quarterback.
The Packers also need to find a way to start winning games in the fourth quarter. They have lost their last three games in the fourth quarter and they are now 1-4 in games that have been decided by one score.
The Packers have a talented roster, but they need to start playing to their potential. If they can do that, they still have a chance to make the playoffs. However, if they don't, they could be facing a long season.
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