The Los Angeles Rams appeared to be cruising to a second straight road win against the Denver Broncos, but Bo Nix had other plans.
The third-year quarterback led a 30-point second-half comeback to earn a 30-26 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.
Dubbed the “Dream Team” before the start of the regular season because of successful offseason moves for players such as star pass rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffee, the Rams fell to 1-2 with the loss. Denver improved to 2-1.
The Rams had one last chance from Denver’s 19-yard line, but Matthew Stafford’s pass attempt to Davante Adams was intercepted by safety Talanoa Hufanga, his second of the game.
Denver’s offense went nowhere in the first half. The Broncos were wiped out on the scoreboard by LA’s defense, while the Rams’ offense held the field for most of the first two quarters.
It was the same story as the first two weeks of the season. Denver has now scored 10 first half points in its first three games this season.
But that all changed in the second half, as Nix led his offense on second downs and successful two-point conversions, allowing Denver to tie the game at 16 with two minutes left in the third quarter.
Bo Nix and the Broncos scored 30 points in the second half to beat the Rams on Sunday night. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
On the game-winning play, Nix and the Broncos benefited from two defensive penalties — a defensive pass interference on cornerback Josh Wallace, where he appeared to catch the ball, and then an illegal hands to the face on safety Quentin Lake — that allowed the drive to continue.
Nix eventually scored on a quarterback sneak from one yard out for the win.
2.
The Rams’ 38-year-old reigning MVP had a rollercoaster performance against one of the best defenses in the league against the Broncos.
Stafford struggled against Denver’s dominant defensive front. When Stafford was down, he was 11 of 23 for 204 yards, according to Next Gen Stats, with two touchdowns and two interceptions by Hufanga, including a 66-yard return for a score.
When Stafford faced some pressure, he was 5-of-18 for 70 yards and an interception.
It was Stafford’s 33rd career pick, the most in NFL history. He was seen holding his elbow after that interception, but didn’t miss a snap.
However, Stafford also finished with 390 passing yards and two TDs, including a 48-yard touchdown to wide receiver Konata Mumpfield that put Los Angeles up in the fourth quarter.
Stafford was helped by the running game. Running back Kyren Williams finished with 158 yards and looked like the best player on the field at times, while Adams was also excellent.
Stafford kept his team in the game and kept the pressure on Denver’s defense, but in the end it wasn’t enough.
Matthew Stafford struggled for most of the second half against the Broncos. (Aaron Ontiveros/The Denver Post)
3.
Los Angeles played a second straight game without the team’s No. 1 receiver Puka Nacua, who sat out with a groin injury.
Fortunately for the Rams, they have another elite receiver in Adams.
Adams finished with 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week in a quality performance against the Giants on Monday night. He followed that with seven receptions for 138 yards compared to one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Patrick Surtain II of the Broncos. According to Next Generation Statistics, Adams v. Surtain.
For the second week in a row, wide receiver Davante Adams stepped up in a big way without Puka Nacua. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Adams also went deep twice on double moves against Surtain, but he was knocked down both times.
Nacua has a chance to return to action next week when the Rams head east to face the Eagles. In Nacua’s absence, Adams has been productive leading the passing offense, stepping up and filling the WR1 role very well.
