MarShawn Lloyd scores on an 11-yard touchdown catch as Packers and Broncos lock up 7-7 after first quarter

The Packers and Denver Broncos played a measured opening quarter in their preseason meeting, but Green Bay got the only touchdown of the period. MarShawn Lloyd hauled in an 11-yard touchdown catch off what was described as a choice route from the backfield, putting the Packers on the board and setting the early tone in Denver.

By the end of the first quarter, the score stood at 7-7, reflecting a quick swing from Green Bay’s early scoring drive to Denver’s response. The tie meant neither team had managed to establish a sustained edge in the game’s first 15 minutes, leaving plenty of room for roster evaluation to play out as the deeper rotations came into play.

For Green Bay, the play was a clear example of how the team’s offseason and preseason work can show up quickly at the skill-position level. A touchdown generated from a route that originated from the backfield underscores how the Packers are looking to widen their offensive looks, not only with traditional run-and-pass concepts but also with receiver-like usage from players who can move through traffic and finish at the goal line.

Lloyd’s catch also served as a reminder of what the preseason often rewards. Rather than long-term development alone, these games frequently highlight which athletes can win a single repetition. An 11-yard touchdown is not about field-position heroics as much as it is about timing and placement in a compact window, particularly when the defense has to react to a play concept that can be indicated through formation and then altered with movement.

The Broncos’ equalizing response meant the quarter ended without a separating margin. Still, the scoreboard tie after one quarter shaped the immediate chess match for both staffs: Green Bay had evidence that the passing game could reach the end zone quickly, while Denver had the confirmation that whatever defensive look Green Bay presented early could be answered.

Beyond the score, early preseason drives are often most closely watched for how teams handle substitutions and how play-calling translates across personnel groups. With a tie at the end of the first quarter, both teams had at least one successful offensive sequence to build on and at least one defensive sequence that needed adjustment, depending on how each side interprets what happened on the touchdown and the ensuing drive.

What to watch next is whether the Packers can turn that first-quarter scoring into continued production across multiple drives, or whether Denver can force Green Bay’s offense back into lower-efficiency stretches. With the game still in its early phases, the next series should reveal whether the backfield route that produced Lloyd’s score was a one-off result or the start of a more consistent pattern in Green Bay’s plan for this matchup.

As the second quarter approaches, the biggest question is which unit can create separation, not just in the red zone but in overall field position. The 7-7 tie after one quarter keeps the storyline open, and it places immediate emphasis on execution, including third-down conversion attempts and how each team responds when the opponent tries to take away the specific playmakers featured early.