Rookie Bo Nix strengthens his chances of becoming the Broncos' starting quarterback with a 27-2 win over the Packers

DENVER (AP) — Rookie Bo Nix made another strong case for the Broncos' starting quarterback job Sunday night when he led Denver to points on both drives in his first NFL appearance, a 27-2 victory over the backup Green Bay Packers.

Nix, the former Oregon star and sixth quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, has now led Denver to points on six of his seven drives in the preseason.

Nix threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tim Patrick, who has stepped up in his effort to return to the lineup after missing the last two seasons with leg injuries. Nix also had a 14-yard pass to Javonte Williams that was nullified after review because he was just behind the line of scrimmage when he threw.

Denver (2-0) instead settled for the first of Wil Lutz’s two field goals.

Nix completed 8 of 9 passes for 90 yards and an excellent passer rating of 140.7. Patrick caught four of his passes for 30 yards. Nix also ran three times for a dozen yards.

Nix replaced incumbent Jarrett Stidham last week in Indianapolis before taking on the majority of the workload for the first team ahead of his first professional appearance, including a joint practice session on Friday.

This practice was more demanding than the game, as Packers coach Matt LaFleur told his starting players that if they didn't get in shape on Friday at the Broncos' suburban training complex, they would have to play on Sunday.

The Packers (1:1) had to bench 31 players on Sunday, including all of their regular players.

Stidham's 9-yard run into the end zone put the game at 17-0 just before halftime after Keidron Smith completed a 56-yard interception return of a long pass from Sean Clifford, who had started with Jordan Love in a baseball cap.

Zach Wilson cleaned up for Denver and Green Bay finally got on the scoreboard in the final minute of the third quarter when Zach Morton sacked Wilson in the end zone for a safety.

What followed was the first post-safety kickoff under the new rules, and Lutz smashed the ball from his 20-yard line to the Green Bay 2 on a kickoff that was previously not allowed on a safety kickoff. Dimitri Stanley returned it to the 29.

This aspect of the rule change may have unintended consequences, as it may prevent teams that have recorded the safety from taking the favorable field position on the ensuing punt, drop kick or place kick without a tee that they have generally had in the past.

Wilson's 7-yard pass to Tyler Badie made it 27-2 late in the fourth quarter.

Another rookie who shined for Denver was linebacker Jonah Ellis, a third-round pick out of Utah, who forced an interception for the second straight game. He also had a strip sack and a recovery of Michael Pratt in the third quarter that led to a field goal.

Denver was penalized 13 times for 120 yards, while the Packers were penalized four times for 40 yards.

INJURIES: Packers LB Ralen Goforth suffered a concussion on Stidham's touchdown just before halftime. … Broncos ILB Jonas Griffith injured his right shoulder on a tackle in the third quarter but returned. Denver rookie WR DeVaughn Vele (leg) did not play.

Next

Packers: Host the Ravens on Saturday.

Broncos: Host the Cardinals on Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press