Postgame Cold Snacks: Still too much 'no' for Broncos

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Still no sacks. Still no takeaways. Still no wins.

It was more of the numbing same for the Broncos as they fell to 0-3 with a 27-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers in front of 78,078 soaked spectators at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

The end result was familiar — a seventh consecutive defeat, the longest active losing streak in the NFL.

“It was pretty similar overall to the last couple of games. There were things we did well, but there’s things we didn’t,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “Whether it’s been penalties or turnovers or a missed assignment here or there, it’s something. So I don’t necessarily know if it felt any better today or not.”

Whether it felt better or not depended on who you asked.

But how the Broncos got there wasn’t exactly the same as the previous two weeks. They ran the football effectively, had three lengthy scoring drives and didn’t take three quarters for the offense to find its footing.

However, they also had three giveaways Sunday — two more than they did in the season’s first two contests. Brandon McManus missed an extra point — one that counted this time, unlike the misfire that was waved off for an offside penalty last week.

SUSTAINING DRIVES

One issue the Broncos have solved is their inability to grind out lengthy possessions. Their first two scoring drives Sunday — which ended in a 1-yard Phillip Lindsay touchdown run and a 30-yard McManus field goal — took 15 plays.

Denver now has more 15-play drives in its last two games (three) than its previous 31 (two). When teams dink and dunk their way down the field rather than getting the yardage in large clumps, they can exhaust a defense. But they also run a greater risk at short-circuiting the drives through self-inflicted wounds or other misfortune, reducing the margin for error.

“We’re definitely going the long, hard way,” Flacco said. “That’s the kind of games we’re in right now. We’re in these hard fights, and if that’s what’s necessary, then I expect us to be able to do it.

“But obviously, somewhere in there, you want to make some big plays and score some touchdowns before you get there. There’s obviously things with wearing their defense out and things like that, but at the end of the day, your’e making it hard on yourself, and that’s why we’re having a tough time putting it all together right now, and just kind of making some of those other plays.”

KEEPING IT ON THE GROUND

… The loss was the first for the Broncos in which they ran more often than they passed since Nov. 24, 2013 at New England, when the Broncos lost 34-31 in overtime with a 45-to-35 run-to-pass ratio.

Denver executed 35 passing plays, six of which ended in sacks, and ran the ball 38 times. Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman combined for 36 of those attempts, averaging an even 4.0 yards per carry as they accumulated 144 yards — 81 on 21 attempts for Lindsay and 63 on 15 carries for Freeman.

Prior to Sunday, Denver had a 17-game winning streak when it ran more often than it threw.

QUICK BITES

… Linebacker Josey Jewell led the Broncos in tackles before suffering a hamstring injury in the second half.

… Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb registered the Broncos’ only hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the team’s sackless streak continued. This marks the first time since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 that the Broncos have failed to record a sack in one of their first three games.

… According to pro-football-reference.com, the Broncos are the only team since 1982 to fail to record a sack or a takeaway in their first three games.

… Left tackle Garett Bolles snapped his four-game streak of having at least one holding penalty.

… Defensive end Derek Wolfe wore a walking boot in the Broncos’ locker room after the game to protect his injured ankle. He is expected to undergo further examination Monday after the team returns to Colorado.