What a thriller!
The Broncos move to 2-1 after an improbable, thrilling second-half comeback win. It was a tale of two halves for the Broncos, who trailed the Rams 16-0 at halftime before scoring 30 points in the second half. They had three offensive touchdowns, two successful two-point conversions, a pick-six, and a game-winning interception in the end zone.
It was a crazy game that kept Broncos fans on the edge of their seat until the very end. It is also a complicated one for stock up and stock down
because this game had multiple layers of good and bad throughout. So, we have plenty of players with their stock going up and others, unfortunately, with their stock going down.
Stock up and stock down is a weekly series where I go through the Denver Broncos roster and give you stock-ups and stock-downs on every player currently on the 53-man roster. After a bounce-back performance like that on Sunday, we are going to see a lot more stock-ups than we did last week.
Quarterback
Bo Nix – Stock up: It was a complicated night for the Broncos quarterback. He was on the struggle bus in the first half and nearly had two ugly interceptions. The offense looked lifeless, and Nix simply was not playing well.
However, this was a classic Bo Nix/Denver Broncos comeback victory. That means Nix came alive in the second half and had three touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner. His only blemish was an interception after a defender hit his arm. This allowed the Rams to take a 4th quarter lead, which is exactly what Nix wanted. He would go on to get yet another 4th-quarter comeback win.
It wasn’t all great, and the stat book will not wow you, but the Broncos came back and beat a team many believe to be a Super Bowl contender. Nix had a great second half, and while it would be great if he could put together a complete game for once, I will take whatever leads to a Denver Broncos victory.
Jarret Stidham – Unchanged: Is the veteran backup QB
Sam Ehlinger – Unchanged: Remains the emergency third-string quarterback
Running Back
JK Dobbins – Stock down: We simply need more from Dobbins, who does not look like the back who was top 3 in rushing last season before his injury. He averaged a poor 2.9 yards per carry and never really got anything going in the run game. He did have a few nice first-down carries, but overall, we need more from Dobbins.
RJ Harvey – Stock up: Harvey didn’t do much in the run game, but he did have 6 receptions for 41 yards and led the team in receptions. It wasn’t anything to write home about, but he is filling his role and contributing as a pass catcher.
Jonah Coleman – Stock down: I am including him here even though he is on the IR. Injuries suck, and he was on the verge of carving out a real role in this backfield. Unfortunately, he suffered a high ankle sprain vs. the Jaguars and played through it. This showed his toughness, and that game showcased his talent, but it was a poorly timed injury that killed the momentum he built in Week 2.
Tyler Badie – Stock up: Like Harvey, he is playing his role and doing it well. He served as the third-down pass blocker and even went one-on-one vs. Aaron Donald and held his own. Badie also had 1 reception for 12 yards. Again, nothing crazy, but he’s playing his role and doing well at it.
Adam Prentice – Stock down: Why did they even keep a fullback? 3rd-and-1 shotgun plays, and Prentice only played 4 offensive snaps. Could have used him a few times last night.
Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle – Stock down: Waddle’s stock was high last week, but it came crashing back down in Week 3. He had 2 catches for 10 yards and struggled to get anything going against this talented Rams secondary. You expect more from Waddle in these big games, but he simply didn’t produce. He did have a nice two-point conversion catch, which was big, but outside of that, it was a pretty forgettable night for the Broncos playmaker.
Courtland Sutton – Unchanged: Sutton had a mostly quiet night, but did see 7 targets, which led to 3 receptions for 46 yards. Again, nothing to write home about, but a decent showing by the Broncos veteran pass catcher.
Pat Bryant – Stock up: Bryant was the star of the night on the offensive side of the ball. He only caught two passes, but he turned those two passes into 2 catches for 44 yards and 1 touchdown. He also added a two-point conversion in there as well. His touchdown got the team on the board in the second half and his two pointer would tie the game at 16-16. He would later have a 39-yard catch-and-run on a 2nd and 20 late in the 4th quarter to set up the Broncos eventual game-winning touchdown. Bryant also drew the controversial DPI call late to give the Broncos an automatic 1st down and extend their late 4th quarter drive.
Troy Franklin – Unchanged: Franklin played just 12 snaps and saw 1 target but like last week, he made the most of that 1 target. After Bryant’s 39-yard catch-and-run, Franklin followed that up with a 21-yard reception to get the Broncos offense rolling. His role is certainly diminished, but with Mims sidelined, he is making the most of his limited opportunities.
Marvin Mims – Stock down: He has been hampered by injuries and not having a great start to his contract year. Hopefully, he can get healthy, and the Broncos can get their All-Pro returner and big-play specialist back.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Stock down: Was inactive and doesn’t seem to be playing as much with Davis Webb running the offense.
Kolbe Katsis – Stock up: The undrafted rookie had an adventurous night that included a couple of bobbled punt returns, a big return that sparked the offense, and attempting to hurdle multiple Rams players only to get hammered. Still, he made his NFL debut and has appeared in more games than most of the Broncos’ 2026 rookie class.
Tight End
Adam Trautman – Unchanged: He played in 40% of the Broncos’ offensive snaps but did trail Evan Engram in snaps, which is interesting.
Evan Engram – Stock up: The production isn’t there, but the usage is. Engram had 2 targets and 0 catches on the night, but did play 60% of the snaps, which led all tight ends. He is getting the playing time, but the production hasn’t matched yet.
Nate Adkins – Stock up: Is Nate Adkins the true Joker? Adkins caught his second touchdown of the season and now has back-to-back games with a touchdown. He played 34% of the snaps but seems to have a trusted role in the passing game when out there.
Dallen Bentley – Unchanged: The rookie tight end continued to be inactive.
Offensive Line
Garett Bolles – Unchanged: The veteran LT has had a great start to the season, and while he did see a penalty called on him late in the game, he played well overall. I am, again, not an offensive line expert.
Ben Powers – Unchanged: Looks like he struggled with the interior pass rush a few times, which is a strength of this Rams defense, but I did not notice him being good or bad either way.
Luke Wattenberg – Unchanged: Like Powers, he struggled with the interior rush at times, but I did not notice him being good or bad throughout the game.
Quinn Meinerz – Stock up: He sent Aaron Donald back to retirement.
Mike McGlinchey – Unchanged: Had some issues with the speed rush, which is normal with McGlinchey, but from my untrained eye, he played solid.
Alex Palczewski – Stock up: He played just 6 snaps, but that’s an increase. I would like to see the Broncos utilize their heavy packages more and pound the ball.
Matt Peart – Unchanged: He didn’t play
Alex Forsyth – Unchanged: He did not play
Kage Casey – Unchanged: Inactive
Defensive Line
Zach Allen – Stock up: The Broncos’ pass rush ran hot and cold throughout the night, but when it was on, it was due to Allen being a disruptor. He had a sack and was pressuring Stafford throughout the night.
DJ Jones – Unchanged: I never really noticed him making plays, and the run defense wasn’t great, but it also wasn’t terrible, so I’ll stick with unchanged.
Eyioma Uwazurike: Unchanged: After the camp/preseason hype, I did hope for more from Enyi thus far. He did have a sack and played 41% of the snaps, but if he is the JFM replacement, we need a little bit more from him.
Malcolm Roach – Unchanged: He did have a PBU, but outside of that, I did not see him stand out much, good or bad.
Jordan Jackson – Stock up: He went from being inactive to playing 17 snaps vs. the Rams. He replaced Sai’vion Jones in the rotation, likely due to the Rams’ heavy packages, but he gets a stock-up due to usage. Probably plays again next week vs. the 49ers.
Sai’vion Jones – Stock down: He was inactive after being active the past two weeks
Tyler Onyedim – Unchanged: The rookie continues to have a red-shirt year
Edge Rushers
Nik Bonitto – Stock up: Had a sack and seemed to be getting pressure off the edge, but Stafford was just getting the ball out quickly and slinging it. He is likely also getting extra attention from opposing teams.
Jonah Elliss – Stock down: He played 53 snaps, but the impact simply isn’t there. He had a strong camp, but his start to the season has not been what many had hoped.
Que Robinson – Unchanged: He made a nice special teams stop and did play 35 defensive snaps, but we need more opposite of Bonitto.
Dondrea Tillman – Unchanged: Tillman played 27 snaps, and I did see him pressure Stafford at least once. He’s a valuable reserve edge.
Linebackers
Alex Singleton – Stock down: It’s a tough watch sometimes. Missed tackles, getting juked out, lost in coverage, and allowing an old Stafford run for a first down. He played better in the second half, but a lot of the bad showed up tonight.
Justin Strnad – Stock up: On the flip side, I noticed Strnad actually wrap up and tackle a few times and also made a few nice plays in coverage.
Jordan Turner – Unchanged: Played just 1 snap on defense but did play 70% of the special teams snaps.
Karene Reid – Unchanged: Reid played 15 total snaps, all of which were on special teams.
Cornerbacks
Pat Surtain II – Stock down: He needed to lock down Davante Adams tonight, and it simply did not happen. He did improve in the second half, but Adams had his number throughout most of the game.
Riley Moss – Stock down: Moss has had a nice start to the year but struggled vs. the Rams. He had a bad DPI on him early in the game on third down, gave up some passes, and was fooled on a double move, which led to a wide-open touchdown.
Ja’Quan McMillian – Unchanged: I did not really notice J-Mac much outside of being stiff-armed by Kyren Williams late in the game.
Jahdae Barron – Stock up: Barron played 24 snaps on Sunday Night which is by far a season high. I did notice him give up many big plays outside of the catch by the TE Tyler Higbee on the final drive, but that simply was a nice catch by a much bigger player than Barron.
Kris Abrams-Draine – Unchanged: Played 16 snaps, all of which were on special teams.
Safeties
Talanoa Hufanga –Stock WAY up: Hufanga had a sack, a pick-6, and the game-ending INT in the closing seconds of the game. He should have had two more INTs earlier in the game, but he made the most of his opportunities in the second half.
He has dropped several potential INTs during his time with the Broncos, so it is great to see him finally get ahold of a few and make a couple of big-impact plays for the Broncos’ defense. This comeback win does not happen without Hufanga’s heroics.
Brandon Jones – Stock up: He lacked the big-impact plays that Hufanga had, but he was around the ball all game. Led the team in tackles, made a few nice tackles, and simply was a productive player for the Broncos’ defense.
Devon Key – Unchanged: Key played 7 defensive snaps and continued to be a difference maker on special teams
Tycen Anderson – Unchanged: Tied Key with the most special teams snaps played on Sunday Night and appears to have a real role on the Broncos’ special teams.
JL Skinner – Unchanged: Played 20 special teams snaps, which trailed Key and Anderson.
Special Teams
Kicker Wil Lutz – Stock down: He doinked a kick which would have given the Broncos some much-needed points. He’s typically reliable but missed one last night.
Punter Jeremy Crawshaw – Stock up: Continues to boom punts and pinned the Rams deep in their own territory.
Mitchell Fraboni – Unchanged: Good snaps!
