Bo Nix Returns Strong, but Broncos Fall to Packers 33-13.

DENVER — Bo Nix looked comfortable in his first game action since suffering a broken ankle last season, but the Denver Broncos struggled to keep pace with the Green Bay Packers in a 33-13 preseason loss Friday night. Nix completed 6 of 9 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in two series, giving Denver a glimpse of its starting quarterback back on the field after a seven-month recovery. His biggest play came on Denver's opening scoring drive. Nix connected with newly acquired wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for a 35-yard gain before finding rookie running back R.J. Harvey for a 21-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

“It felt great,” Nix said. “I think the strongest emotion was when I got out there it was just like riding a bike; nothing really changed.” Nix's night ended after his second series, which produced a 53-yard field goal from Wil Lutz. The Broncos led 10-7 before Green Bay responded with a dominant stretch that ultimately put the game out of reach. Jordan Love opened the game for the Packers and needed just one drive to make an impact. He led Green Bay on a 12-play, 63-yard possession that ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass to MarShawn Lloyd. The Packers briefly appeared to lose the football when Christian Watson fumbled early in the game, but a replay review determined Watson's knee was down before Pat Surtain II knocked the ball loose. “He's definitely one of the best corners in the game,” Love said of Surtain. “He made a great play trying to get the ball out, but that's just what he does.” Denver's defense took another hit later in the drive when cornerback Riley Moss left with a rib injury and did not return. Moss had been one of the Broncos' standout performers throughout training camp and recorded an interception in Denver's preseason opener. Green Bay regained the lead when former Colorado receiver Will Sheppard made a 2-yard touchdown catch from Tyrod Taylor. Trey Smack then connected on field goals of 59 and 44 yards, while Mark Perry intercepted Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to help send the Packers into halftime with a 23-10 advantage. Green Bay continued to pull away after halftime. Jaden Nixon scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 30-13, and Smack added another field goal late in the fourth quarter.

The loss snapped Denver's eight-game preseason winning streak. “We've got a lot of work to do,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “I can't think of one area we outplayed them.” Despite the lopsided result, Denver's most important takeaway came from Nix's return. After undergoing surgery in January and a follow-up procedure in the spring to remove bone spurs, Nix showed no obvious signs of hesitation in his first live action since breaking his right ankle against Buffalo in the playoffs. The developing chemistry between Nix and Waddle will also remain a storyline heading into the regular season. Nix missed most of the offseason while recovering, while Waddle missed a portion of training camp. “It's coming along,” Waddle said. “We've got a lot of work to do. But it was a good time. It's good to get back out there with all the guys.” The Broncos' backup quarterback competition also remains unsettled. Stidham threw an interception, while Sam Ehlinger offered a positive assessment of Nix's return. “I thought he did a great job,” Ehlinger said. “It was right back to postseason form, really. Didn't miss a beat.” Denver will close out its preseason schedule next Friday night when the Broncos host the Minnesota Vikings.