Broncos hold on to beat Rams, who blow multiple leads and are disappointing 1-2 to start this season
Maybe the Los Angeles Rams will end up being as good as everyone thought they would be this offseason, and their early-season woes will be a fun part of their “America’s Game” episode after winning a Super Bowl.
But this isn’t the start the Rams envisioned.
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The Rams lost a 16-0 halftime lead and a 26-23 advantage late in the fourth quarter as the Denver Broncos rallied and defeated the Rams. The Broncos had a clutch drive after giving up the lead on a long pass from Matthew Stafford with 3:38 left. They moved downfield and Bo Nix scored by leaping over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown with 47 seconds left. The Rams rallied and were able to punt the ball with two seconds remaining at the 14-yard line. After a false start, Stafford threw an interception on the final play of the game and the Broncos held on for a 30-26 victory.
The Rams, who played Sunday without injured receiver Puka Nacua and defensive end Myles Garrett, are 1-2 to start the season after being hailed as Super Bowl favorites.
The Broncos got some help in their winning campaign. Rams cornerback Josh Wallace had an interception but a pass interference penalty was called, although it appeared on replay that Wallace had not committed a foul and that Broncos receiver Pat Bryant had embellished the contact to draw a flag. The Broncos earned another reprieve when an illegal hands-to-the-face penalty kept a drive going after an incomplete third down.
The Rams will complain about that phantom call to Wallace, which would have all but sealed the victory. But Los Angeles had plenty of chances to put the game away before that. The Broncos stayed until their offense got going and they pulled off a dramatic victory.
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The Rams were supposed to be above losses like this, or the one they suffered in the season opener in Australia against the 49ers. It’s taking them longer than expected to look like the dominant team everyone expects them to be.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix had a hot second half against the Rams. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Broncos off to a slow start
Denver’s offense was lifeless throughout the first half. Head coach Sean Payton highlighted the offense’s balance during a halftime interview, but the running game hasn’t been effective enough to sustain drives or for offensive coordinator Davis Webb to call more running plays. Bo Nix wasn’t accurate in the passing game against a tough Rams defense, and that led to a first-half shutout. The Rams led 16-0 at halftime.
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At that point, the Broncos had played 10 quarters this season and eight of them on offense had been mediocre. Denver had a strong second half in Week 2 against the Jaguars, which kept Denver from being 0-2 to start the season.
The Broncos finally woke up on their second drive of the third quarter. Nix found Pat Bryant for a touchdown, then completed a perfectly placed pass to Jaylen Waddle in the end zone for the 2-point conversion. The Broncos had cut the Rams’ lead to 16-8 and for the first time it looked like there might be a competitive game Sunday night.
The Rams had a solid lead in the first half but kept the Broncos in the game. They settled for three field goals in the first half and none went beyond 40 yards. These missed opportunities were a problem as the Broncos began to gain momentum.
Back and forth after halftime
The Broncos had another good drive and tied the game. Nix hit Nate Adkins for an 8-yard touchdown and Bryant grabbed the 2-point conversion off a Rams defender to tie the game. The Rams had dominated the first half, and before the end of the third quarter, their 16-0 lead was gone. The roles were reversed; the Rams suddenly couldn’t move the ball at all.
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Eventually, the Rams caught a break. Nix’s pass was deflected as it left his hand and Wallace had an easy interception. He returned it to the Denver 37-yard line. A third-down blitz led to a Stafford sack that stalled the drive, but the Rams got a field goal and a 19-16 lead.
The Rams then completed a third-and-1 pass and the Broncos elected to punt. Davante Adams immediately burned them with a 49-yard gain. At that point, it looked like the Rams might start to put the game away. But Stafford threw a pick 6, as he misread coverage and threw an interception directly to safety Talanoa Hufanga, who returned it 66 yards for a score. The Broncos led 23-19 with 4:49 left. It was the 33rd pick 6 of Stafford’s career, breaking the tie he had for the NFL record with Brett Favre.
Stafford played a lot of football and he wasn’t bothered. He hit Konata Mumpfield for three straight passes, gains of 21, 9 and then a 48-yard touchdown to regain the lead. Mumpfield beat cornerback Riley Moss and was wide open down the field for Stafford’s pass. The Rams led 23-19.
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That just meant it was the Broncos’ turn to respond. Nix hit Bryant for 39 yards and Troy Franklin for 21, putting Denver in position to at least tie the game with a field goal. Two penalties, including a questionable one on Wallace, kept the drive alive. That led to the Nix touchdown, and the Rams couldn’t answer despite getting into the red zone at the end.
The Broncos are happy to be 2-1 after a tough Week 1 loss at Kansas City. The Rams aren’t as happy with their start to the season.
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Ryan Young
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Ryan Young
Here’s a closer look at that final play and Hufanga’s second interception of the night.
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Ryan Young
Hufanga intercepted Stafford again on the final play, and the Broncos escaped with the victory. What a game in Denver.
The Broncos win 30-26.
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Ryan Young
Stafford just found Kyren Williams in the middle of the field, and this game isn’t over yet. The Rams will only have one chance here…
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Ryan Young
Tyler Higbee somehow managed to get that ball to the sideline and get both feet down.
The grab was confirmed upon review, and the Rams were at the Broncos 34 with 21 seconds left.
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Ryan Young
Bo Nix almost rushed himself, but he was judged to be just shy after an examination. The second time, however, he reached the end zone.
The Broncos now lead 30-26, with just 47 seconds left. What a comeback.
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Ryan Young
The Rams appeared to have made the stop, and Josh Wallace appeared to have been intercepted, but he was called for a controversial IP penalty. So the Broncos get another set of downs right near the end zone.
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Ryan Young
We have just two minutes left and the Broncos are leading – thanks in large part to his huge catch from Pat Bryant. The Broncos need a field goal to tie the game.
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Ryan Young
Matthew Stafford is doing great. He just found Konata Mumpfield for a 48-yard touchdown to cap a quick four-play drive.
The Rams are back in front 26-23 with 3:38 left.
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Ryan Young
Wow. After a huge 49-yard pass to Davante Adams, Matthew Stafford throws a pick-six. Talanoa Hufanga ran it back 67 yards to put the Broncos in front for the first time all night.
They now lead 23-19 with 4:49 left.
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Ryan Young
The Rams forced a quick three-and-out, as they did throughout the first half.
So they’ll take over around their own five-yard line here with 7:03 left.
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Ryan Young
The Rams had to settle for a field goal after Hufanga drilled through Matthew Stafford so easily in the backfield.
Harrison Mevis is good from 48, so the Rams lead 19-16 with 8:40 to play.
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Ryan Young
Well, that’s a mistake. Bo Nix looked for Sutton on the left side of the field, but his arm was hit as he made the throw in the pocket. This led to an easy interception and now gives the Rams excellent field position.
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Ryan Young
The Rams threw back-to-back incomplete passes there, so they will have to punt. Denver gets the ball back, looking for its first lead of the night.
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Ryan Young
The Rams are looking at the second and long period when we return. As a result, they are the ones who have difficulty moving forward in attack.
We’ll see what happens over time here…
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Ryan Young
Bo Nix just found a wide open Nate Adkins for an 8-yard score, and the two-point conversion is also successful.
Just like that, this game is tied. What a turning point after halftime.
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Ryan Young
The momentum in this game has completely reversed. The Broncos defense came back to force another stop and a punt. And an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed the Rams up and forced them to punt from their own goal line.
The Broncos have a chance to even things up here.
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Ryan Young
We have a game.
This was by far the best drive the Broncos had all night. Bo Nix capped it off with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Pat Bryant. The two-point conversion was also good.
The Rams now lead 16-8 with 7:44 left in the third.
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Ryan Young
The Broncos defense just forced a three-and-out for the first time tonight, and it looked like they got to Matthew Stafford there. He almost threw a pickaxe and looked a little shaken.
The Broncos will take over
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Ryan Young
In fact, he did not launch the offensive. It’s a quick three-and-out to open the second half, and Broncos fans seem upset.
The Rams will take over after yet another punt.
Gn sports
