Game Day Primer / Mon, Sep 28
AWAY TEAM
1–1
HOME TEAM
1–1
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01 / Why this game matters
The Rams and Broncos both won in Week 2 and now meet with identical 1-1 records. Los Angeles is coming off 481 total yards, while Denver generated 392, making the central question whether either defense can slow the playmakers who drove those performances.
02 / Know these people
Matthew Stafford / Primary passer and distributor
Los Angeles Rams · Quarterback (QB)
Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns in Week 2. His ability to keep feeding without allowing Denver’s pressure to interrupt the play will shape the Rams’ ceiling.
Davante Adams / Featured receiving threat
Los Angeles Rams · Wide Receiver (WR)
Adams turned 10 targets into eight catches, 195 yards and two touchdowns last week. Denver must decide how much coverage attention to devote to him after that explosive outing.
03 / Watch for this
Before Rams passing plays, check whether Pat Surtain II follows across formations or stays on one side. Repeated direct matchups would show Denver leaning on its top corner rather than constantly reshaping the entire coverage around .
04 / Sound smart
The Rams gave and Blake Corum exactly 12 carries each last week; they produced 85 and 79 rushing yards, respectively.
The central storyline
The Rams and Broncos both won in Week 2 and now meet with identical 1-1 records. Los Angeles is coming off 481 total yards, while Denver generated 392, making the central question whether either defense can slow the playmakers who drove those performances.
A read on both sides
Rams
Team vibe
Los Angeles enters after a 28-6 win over the Giants. Its 481-yard performance showed both high-end passing production and a useful two-back running game, although two turnovers kept the outing from being completely clean.
Broncos
Team vibe
Denver beat Jacksonville 20-13 behind 392 total yards. and powered the passing game, while Coleman scored the rushing touchdown and Wil Lutz converted both field-goal attempts, giving the Broncos several ways to finish possessions.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: After the snap, count whether can set his feet and scan more than one receiver before a Denver defender closes in.
If you see it: If is releasing the ball before or the interior rush reaches him, or regularly has time to look away from his first option and return to , the Rams are neutralizing Denver’s pressure.
Here's what it means: Extra decision time allows Los Angeles to use more of its passing menu; hurried throws would force the Rams toward quicker, shorter options.
On screen
Look for: Watch where or Corum first meets a defender: behind the line, immediately after crossing it, or several yards downfield.
If you see it: If either back repeatedly crosses the line before contact and creates manageable next downs, Los Angeles can keep alternating runs and passes rather than relying entirely on .
Here's what it means: Consistent early yardage would preserve the two-part offense the Rams showed last week; early contact would make their attack more predictable.
On screen
Look for: Find Waddle before the snap, then watch whether a safety shades toward his side or a second defender closes as the pass arrives.
If you see it: If keeps catching the ball with room to turn upfield, Denver’s leading receiving threat is dictating the matchup. If two defenders repeatedly squeeze his space, will need to move the ball elsewhere.
Here's what it means: The Rams’ response will show whether Denver can continue building its passing game around or must rely on less-proven sources of yardage.
The central storyline
The Rams and Broncos both won in Week 2 and now meet with identical 1-1 records. Los Angeles is coming off 481 total yards, while Denver generated 392, making the central question whether either defense can slow the playmakers who drove those performances.
A read on both sides
Rams
Team vibe
Los Angeles enters after a 28-6 win over the Giants. Its 481-yard performance showed both high-end passing production and a useful two-back running game, although two turnovers kept the outing from being completely clean.
Broncos
Team vibe
Denver beat Jacksonville 20-13 behind 392 total yards. and powered the passing game, while Coleman scored the rushing touchdown and Wil Lutz converted both field-goal attempts, giving the Broncos several ways to finish possessions.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: After the snap, count whether can set his feet and scan more than one receiver before a Denver defender closes in.
If you see it: If is releasing the ball before or the interior rush reaches him, or regularly has time to look away from his first option and return to , the Rams are neutralizing Denver’s pressure.
Here's what it means: Extra decision time allows Los Angeles to use more of its passing menu; hurried throws would force the Rams toward quicker, shorter options.
On screen
Look for: Watch where or Corum first meets a defender: behind the line, immediately after crossing it, or several yards downfield.
If you see it: If either back repeatedly crosses the line before contact and creates manageable next downs, Los Angeles can keep alternating runs and passes rather than relying entirely on .
Here's what it means: Consistent early yardage would preserve the two-part offense the Rams showed last week; early contact would make their attack more predictable.
On screen
Look for: Find Waddle before the snap, then watch whether a safety shades toward his side or a second defender closes as the pass arrives.
If you see it: If keeps catching the ball with room to turn upfield, Denver’s leading receiving threat is dictating the matchup. If two defenders repeatedly squeeze his space, will need to move the ball elsewhere.
Here's what it means: The Rams’ response will show whether Denver can continue building its passing game around or must rely on less-proven sources of yardage.
Players & Coaches
Players & Coaches
Los Angeles Rams · Quarterback (QB)
Stafford completed 22 of 31 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns in Week 2. His ability to keep feeding without allowing Denver’s pressure to interrupt the play will shape the Rams’ ceiling.
Players & Coaches
Los Angeles Rams · Wide Receiver (WR)
Adams turned 10 targets into eight catches, 195 yards and two touchdowns last week. Denver must decide how much coverage attention to devote to him after that explosive outing.
Players & Coaches
Los Angeles Rams · Running Back (RB)
Williams rushed for 85 yards and added a receiving touchdown in Week 2. Corum’s comparable workload gives Los Angeles another option without abandoning the running game.
Players & Coaches
Denver Broncos · Quarterback (QB)
Nix matched ’s 22-of-31 completion line last week, producing 288 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Denver needs him to connect its passing production to more scoring opportunities.
Players & Coaches
Denver Broncos · Wide Receiver (WR)
Waddle caught eight of 10 targets for 138 yards in Week 2. No other listed Denver receiver exceeded 32 receiving yards, so the Rams’ handling of Waddle deserves close attention.
Players & Coaches
Denver Broncos · Outside Linebacker (OLB)
Bonitto recorded three quarterback hits last week despite not registering a sack. That pressure still matters against a Rams passing game that just produced four touchdowns.
The Stakes
Both teams are 1-1 after two games, so a decisive result will move the winner to 2-1 and the loser to 1-2. Beyond that record split, this game tests whether each club can carry its productive Week 2 offense into a matchup with more specific personnel concerns.
Why it matters
Los Angeles can make Denver defend both ’s passing game and two efficient runners. Denver’s version of variety is less certain because the practice status of Dobbins and Coleman may affect its backfield options.
Why it matters
The Rams converted ’s production into four passing touchdowns last week. Denver gained 392 yards but scored 20 points, so the Broncos’ ability to finish drives could separate two offenses that both moved the ball well.
Why it matters
The Rams reported missed or limited practices for Nacua, Parkinson and Ferguson, while Denver listed multiple running backs with practice limitations. Those statuses could determine which offense retains more of its Week 2 structure.
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters
The Rams’ most interesting Week 2 number may be the identical 12 carries for and Corum—not just ’s four touchdowns.
Conversation Starters
had 138 receiving yards, but Denver’s next-highest listed total was 32; watch whether the Rams can force to distribute the ball more widely.
Conversation Starters
had three quarterback hits without a sack last week, a useful reminder that pressure can alter a pass even when the quarterback stays upright.
Conversation Starters
Both quarterbacks completed 22 of 31 passes in Week 2, but produced three more passing touchdowns; red-zone execution could explain any similar gap in this game.