The Los Angeles Rams look to continue building momentum as they hit the road again, this time against the Denver Broncos on Sunday night. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Rams are a 2.5-point favorite in the Mile High City against the reigning AFC runner-up.
Including the playoffs, the Broncos have gone 26-13 under veteran head coach Sean Payton. Denver, like LA, is a Super Bowl hopeful. Ahead of this weekend’s primetime showdown, I spoke with Ian St. Clair of Mile High Report to get more intel
on the Broncos.
Q – The Broncos have struggled mightily on offense in the first two games. Denver scored 10 points against the Chiefs in Week 1 and started slowly versus the Jaguars before scoring 17 unanswered points to secure the win. What is your initial impression of offensive coordinator Davis Webb, and what areas must the unit improve on moving forward?
A – Through the first six quarters, Bo Nix and the offense did struggle. However, it finally clicked in the second half. “Finally,” like it’s been half of the season. But what the Broncos offense showed against a good team and defense is an appetizer of what the unit can become. If Denver converts the two first-half trips to the red zone into touchdowns, the discussion changes. That’s where the focus should be – on finishing drives. That also takes care of the other issue – starting faster offensively. Dating back to last season, the Broncos offense doesn’t get going until the second half. That must change, and finishing drives is the first step. Denver also must stick with the running game. We saw it in the second half against the Jaguars, but consistently and effectively running the ball sets up the rest of the offense.
As for Webb, he got into a rhythm in the second half and called a great game. Take that to Sunday night, build off it, and find ways to improve the offense even more. Webb is a bright young mind and he had some struggles to start. Some of it was execution, but just like life, he’ll need to take the failures and successes together. He has another big test this Sunday.
Q – Speaking of offense, new wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a great game against Jacksonville, catching eight passes for 138 yards. How are you enjoying the Waddle-Bo Nix connection two games in?
A – What will make me enjoy it even more is if that type of playmaking becomes consistent, thus making the offense harder to defend. It’ll force defenses to shift coverages to ensure Waddle is the focal point. That then opens the ability to utilize Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims (when healthy), Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin and Evan Engram. After Sunday, I’m enjoying the Nix-Waddle connection quite a bit, but I want to see how Denver expands it.
Q – The Broncos have had one of the NFL’s best defenses in the last two seasons under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. If you’re Sean McVay, what types of plays should you be calling to keep Joseph’s unit on its toes on Sunday night?
A – Test the Denver rush defense. Even dating back to the playoffs last year, the Broncos struggled to stop the run. The biggest issue against Kenneth Walker III and the Chiefs is that Denver couldn’t tackle. The tackling was much better for the Broncos against Jacksonville, but run Kyren Williams and Blake Corum on Sunday night. That allows McVay to use the heavy offensive sets that he typically likes to run, especially the plays with three tight ends. Then he can have Matthew Stafford use those tight ends in the passing game. That’s the other thing Denver struggles with – covering tight ends. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, in a word, are not very good. So force the two linebackers into coverage and the Rams will likely have success.
Q – Denver advanced to the AFC Championship last season and likely would’ve advanced to the Super Bowl had Nix stayed healthy. The team has certainly come a long way from the Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson days, so what are your realistic expectations for the Broncos this season?
A – Payton, Nix and this Denver team should compete for the Super Bowl again. To be honest, this could be the Super Bowl matchup. It is just Week 3, but these two teams could meet again on Valentine’s Day in LA. And both teams have that expectation. There’s no doubt the opener on Monday Night Football in KC was startling, but similar to the Rams, the Broncos struggle in September. The team we saw in Denver in the second half against a good Jaguars team is the team that will make it a contender.
Q – What is one question that you have for Rams fans?
A – How do fans feel about the “Super Team” moniker and all that comes with it?
