What a wild game that was.
In the first half, the Los Angeles Rams were in such complete control of the game that it surely looked like a blowout was in full effect. At one point, the Rams were on pace to drop nearly 600 yards of offense. However, the Denver Broncos defense did one good thing and that was limiting them to field goals all through the second quarter.
Down 16-0, Bo Nix and the Broncos charged back in the third quarter with two touchdown drives and converting both two-point conversions
to tie the game. Then an absolutely wild fourth quarter where both teams would make big plays before Nix and the Broncos drove down the field in the final four minutes to take the lead in the final minute.
Broncos vs. Rams final score
First Quarter
The first quarter started out promising with the Broncos’ defense coming up with a huge third down sack to end the Rams first drive.
But that was when the good times ended in the first quarter. The Rams second drive would have them march down the field converting a fourth down along the way to put up the first touchdown, then the Broncos would answer with a drive that ended in a doinked field goal attempt from Wil Lutz.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams would then charge back down the field on their next drive and would be in field goal range again before the first quarter ended. The Broncos’ defense would hold on that drive and only give up a field goal early in the second quarter.
Rams 7, Broncos 0. Full first quarter recap.
Second Quarter
The Broncos’ defense would hold on that drive and only give up a field goal early in the second quarter.
However, it was a tail of a predictable and ineffective offensive game plan getting their butts whipped on every drive with the Broncos defense hanging on by a thread giving up three field goals in the second quarter — but it was clear the game was slipping away from Denver.
The Rams outgained Denver massively in the first half running 46 plays for 273 yards to the Broncos’ 21 plays and 67 yards. The only good thing about that first half for Denver was that the defense was holding Los Angeles to field goals.
Rams 16, Broncos 0. Full second quarter recap.
Third Quarter
Things looked pretty bleak for Denver when they began the half punting it away, but that’s just because they like to toy with our emotions.
What followed was the cardiac cat comeback kids. They would find a way to keep the drive alive and finished with a touchdown and two-point conversion on one drive.
Then, after a terrible punt, marched down the field on the next drive with another touchdown and two-point conversion.
The comeback was so efficient and quick that I am sure the Rams were a bit shell-shocked to be in a tie game after dominating the first thirty minutes of the game. Such is life. Such is the Bo Nix experience.
Broncos 16, Rams 16. Full third quarter recap.
Fourth Quarter
After forcing a three-and-out on the Rams, Nix and the Broncos’ offense picked up right where they left off. Nix hit Courtland Sutton on a deep pass down the sideline for 27-yards into Rams territory.
Disaster struck two plays later, though, when Nix had his arm hit as he threw and the wounded duck of a throw went straight into the arms of a Rams defender who returned it to the Broncos’ 36-yard line. Denver’s defense gave up a few first downs, but when they needed a play on third and give it was Talanoa Hufanga who came up big with the sack
That would force the field goal to put the Rams back on top 19-16. But holding them to a field goal was a win after the turnover. The Broncos had two good runs on first and second down, but on third and one they went clear pass formation and the ball was batted at the line.
A fantastic punt by Jeremy Crawshaw would pin the Rams at their own six yard line for their next drive. It didn’t matter because Vance Joseph decided to play zone with Justin Strnad and other inside linebackers covering Davante Adams. The result was a 49 yard catch and run into Broncos’ territory. Denver’s defense woke up immediately after as Hufanga made the play of the game with a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown to put Denver up 23-19.
Like sharks with blood in the water, the Broncos defense came out with a sack on Stafford on the first play after the pick six. Of course, the elation would deflate quickly after Riley Moss bit hard on a double move to leave the wide receiver wide open for the easy touchdown to put the Rams back up 26-23.
With less than four minutes remaining, the game would come down to a Bo Nix comeback attempt.
A holding penalty on Garett Bolles seemed to be a death blow, but of course, the cardiac cats found a way with Pat Bryant streaking across the middle of the field for a 40 yard catch and run followed by a quick pass to Troy Franklin into the red zone to bring the game to the two minute warning.
From the Rams 15 yard line, Nix handed off to J.K. Dobbins who gained a couple of yards. Nix would hit RJ Harvey for another two yards to the 10 yard line. On third and six, a defensive pass interference call gave the Broncos an automatic first down at the seven yard line with a minute to go.
They would find themselves in a third and goal from the five. They’d be stopped again, but an illegal hands to the face penalty would set them up inside of the five for yet another fresh set of downs. Two plays later, Bo Nix from an empty set would run it in himself outside diving to the pilon to give Denver the lead with 45 seconds left. After review, the touchdown was overturned. It was all good because Nix would sneak it in on the next play anyway.
The game came down to the final plays with the Rams streaking downfield and quickly found themselves at the Broncos’ 34-yard line with 21 seconds left. It would tick to 16 seconds after an incomplete pass to Adams. A big play to the Broncos 14-yard line with the clock stopped with 2 seconds.
On the next play after a false start penalty, Stafford would get intercepted again by Hufanga for the game-clinching turnover.
What a wild finish…
Broncos 30, Rams 26.
