Broncos Face Packers and Pass-Rusher Micah Parsons in Clash of AFC and NFC Contenders

The Denver Broncos (11-2) host the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) at Empower Field at Mile High at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, in a game that carries weight for Denver's pursuit of the AFC's top seed. The matchup, broadcast on CBS, is the first between the clubs since a 19-17 Broncos win in 2023, and the all-time series is level at 7-7-1 over 15 meetings.

The most pressing question for Denver is how to contain Micah Parsons. The Dallas Cowboys traded the pass-rusher to Green Bay just before the season began, following a long contract dispute. Despite missing training camp, Parsons has 12.5 sacks in 13 games with the Packers, on pace for a career high. Denver did not face him when it beat Dallas 44-24 in October.

Broncos coach Sean Payton called Parsons "extremely explosive," with "unique bend and balance" for his position. Green Bay lines him up at nearly every spot along its defensive front, and Payton noted that the Packers do a good job of self-scouting their own tendencies. Parsons is also effective rushing from the interior, which means the whole Denver front, not only its tackles, will be tested.

Guard Alex Palczewski, who has steadied the line since Ben Powers was injured, has allowed nine pressures over his past three games, according to Pro Football Focus. Quarterback Bo Nix has been pressured on more than 30% of his dropbacks in three of his past five games, and his passer rating of 50.1 under pressure ranks 33rd among 34 qualifying quarterbacks.

On offense, Denver faces a Green Bay defense ranked sixth in the league. The Packers allow the eighth-fewest yards per game on passes of 20 or more yards and the fewest yards per play on short passes, per Next Gen Stats. Quarterbacks have found the most success in the intermediate range, where Nix ranks 32nd of 34 in passer rating on throws of 10 to 19 yards. Rookie running back R.J. Harvey, who ran for 100 yards on 23 touches against the Raiders last week, offers a counterweight, though Green Bay has given up chunk yardage to running back duos recently.

When Green Bay has the ball, the status of running back Josh Jacobs, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is uncertain. Jacobs has run for 769 yards and nine touchdowns in eight career games against Denver, but the Broncos have allowed the fewest yards per play on the ground in the NFL. Through the air, Denver's pass defense has shown some weaknesses in recent weeks, with safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Alex Singleton targeted and some communication breakdowns. Quarterback Jordan Love posts a league-best 126.7 rating when not under pressure, but 55.3 when pressured.

Special teams could also matter. Kicker Brandon McManus, a former Broncos kicker, has made just three of seven attempts from 40 to 49 yards this season, while Denver's Marvin Mims Jr. returned a punt for a touchdown last week. The Post's analysts viewed the coaching matchup between Matt LaFleur and Payton as close, giving Denver a slight edge, and its four writers split 3-1 in favor of the Broncos in their predictions.

Among the individual matchups to watch, Denver outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper has not recorded a sack in three games, while Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney has allowed a 43.4 quarterback rating on 23 targets in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats.