Broncos Host Rams on Sunday Night With Both Teams at 1-1
The short version
- Broncos and Rams both enter Week 3 at 1-1; Rams are 2.5-point favorites per DraftKings Sportsbook
- Davante Adams had eight catches, 195 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants; Puka Nacua is doubtful
- Jonah Coleman is out at least four games with an ankle injury; J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are available
- Matthew Stafford has two interceptions this season after throwing eight in each of the last two years
Denver welcomes Los Angeles in a Week 3 matchup of one-win teams, and three factors could decide whether the Broncos come out on top.
The Denver Broncos play host to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3 on Sunday Night Football. Both clubs bring 1-1 records into the contest, which kicks off a high-profile early-season meeting between teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
Los Angeles arrives off a 28-6 blowout win over the New York Giants on Monday night. That result followed a lopsided season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, a game that came after the Rams made a long trip to Australia. The Giants also played nearly the entire contest without their starting quarterback, a factor worth weighing when judging the victory.
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Rams as 2.5-point favorites despite the travel disadvantage. Los Angeles played Monday and then had to cross the country on a shortened week, while the Broncos have stayed home and enjoyed a normal preparation schedule.
The first key for Denver is containing wide receiver Davante Adams, who torched the Giants with eight receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Puka Nacua, who missed that game, is doubtful again this week, and with him sidelined, the Rams' pass-catching depth thins out considerably beyond Adams. Terrance Ferguson offers a threat at tight end, but the remaining targets are Tutu Atwell, Konata Mumpfield and Colby Parkinson.
The Broncos counter with cornerback Pat Surtain II, a weapon the Giants lacked. As they did in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver wants to limit the Rams' ground game and force Matthew Stafford, the reigning league MVP, into repeated third-and-long drops. If Surtain handles Adams, the Broncos like their secondary's edge over the rest of the Rams' receivers.
The second key is controlling the clock through the run game. Rookie Jonah Coleman is out with an ankle injury that will sideline him for at least three additional games, but J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are both available. Sustained, clock-eating drives from that pair would keep Stafford and the Rams offense on the sideline.
Finally, the Broncos need at least one takeaway. Stafford threw just eight interceptions in each of the past two seasons but has already been picked off twice this year. A turnover on defense or special teams that Denver converts into points could swing a game the Broncos are unlikely to win in a shootout.
Fans can watch the Rams visit the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, September 27, at 8:20 PM EDT on NBC.
