5 winners (and 2 losers) for Broncos in preseason win over Packers

It was a dominant effort by the Denver Broncos in their preseason win over the Green Bay Packers from start to finish. The Broncos got the job done in all phases of the game against Green Bay and the only real unfortunate aspect of the game is that Denver only got one kickoff return opportunity, but not really.

If that's the only real complaint coming out of a game, things probably went pretty well. The Broncos beat the Packers to the tune of 27-2, a score you just don't really ever see in the NFL. If not for a Zach Wilson sack in the end zone for a safety, it would have been a more satisfying shutout, but the details of what happened in the game are far more important than the final score.

Roster spots are being decided. Starting jobs are being solidified. There are a number of winners (and losers) we have to get to on both sides of the ball after this game against the Packers. Who stood out, for better or worse?

Broncos winner: Bo Nix, QB

We can keep it pretty short and sweet with Bo Nix because he gets talked about more than anyone else on the team right now. And justifiably so. The excitement over the Broncos having potentially found themselves a franchise quarterback is heating up considerably over the last four weeks. Nix looks like the real deal and was outstanding in his first-ever preseason start, completing 8-of-9 passes for 80 yards, a touchdown, and a 140.7 quarterback rating.

The guy is a stud, and he's operating Sean Payton's offense like he's been playing in it for years.

Broncos loser: Samaje Perine, RB

We're just not seeing it right now from Samaje Perine, the veteran of the Denver Broncos' running back stable. Perine was outstanding for Denver last year as a receiver out of the backfield, and he adds value in pass protection as well. The issue is, he's clearly the third back on the pecking order right now -- at best -- and the Broncos have other young players who are going to be taking priority.

Perine got five carries in this game against the Packers and averaged just 3.2 yards per carry.

Broncos winner: Tyler Badie, RB

It feels like every other time Tyler Badie touches the ball, it's a touchdown. The guy just has a nose for the end zone.

I'm not sure how the Broncos can justify cutting Badie at this point. He's been the most overlooked guy in this running back stable all offseason, but he's done nothing but make plays -- literally since the first time he touched the ball as a Bronco. You'd love to see the Broncos be able to reward him with a roster spot because he can play, and they've been getting him looks as a kickoff returner as well.

Broncos winner: Tim Patrick, WR

You can't not have Tim Patrick on this list again this week. We had Tim Patrick among our winners in Week 1 of the preseason thanks to him just getting back out there on the field, but this was a monumental game for him.

Patrick got to play in front of the home crowd in Denver again and put on a show. He caught a touchdown pass from Bo Nix and got to hit the crowd with a ferocious Mile High Salute right after:

After season ending ACL and Achilles injuries the past two years, Tim Patrick has become sort of a forgotten man among this Broncos roster. He's got a chance to be a significant contributor this season, but rumors recently started swirling that he could be on the roster bubble, potentially.

I think we can all agree, those rumors are dead after the way Patrick played on Sunday night.

Broncos loser: Alex Forsyth, Center

Unfortunately, it's probably safe to say that center Alex Forsyth has officially lost the center battle to Luke Wattenberg. The 2023 7th-round pick and 2022 5th-round pick have been duking it out for depth chart positioning this offseason but Wattenberg has been the steadier option.

Forsyth had a couple of ugly holding penalties called against him in this game against the Packers, and when he got into the game, pressure started getting to the quarterbacks from all angles. It wasn't a good showing for Forsyth, who will likely assume a role as a backup center/guard on the 53-man roster this season.

Broncos winner: Keidron Smith, safety

The Denver Broncos made the tough decision early in the offseason to cut safety Justin Simmons. More recently, they made the decision to cut former fifth-round pick Caden Sterns. They have such a young safety group right now, but Sean Payton and his staff obviously really like these guys and we're starting to see why.

Keidron Smith now has an interception in back-to-back games to open the preseason, and he added three total tackles on top of it in this one. He looked solid on special teams as well, which will be key to making this roster potentially. A second-year player out of Kentucky, Smith could be one of the top players to watch in Week 3 of the preseason.

Broncos winner: Jonah Elliss, EDGE

Denver Broncos rookie pass rusher Jonah Elliss is just a flat-out stud. The third-round pick out of Utah plays hard, but he just looks advanced for a typical third-round pick. You can see his football bloodlines in the way he plays the game. Not only as a pass rusher, either, but as a run stopper as well.

Elliss can get to the quarterback in a hurry and is undoubtedly going to factor into the Broncos' rotation at the edge position this year.