Already in field goal range on the their third drive, the Los Angeles Rams would look to extend the 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.
On the first play, Matthew Stafford hit Kyren Williams on a wheel route to the 17 yard line for another red zone opportunity. Alex Singleton was burned on the play. Williams would then force a missed tackle to get the ball down to the 8 yard line. On third and two, they would convert but would be called for offensive holding to back them up a third and long. Denver’s
defense would hold and force the field goal.
Rams 10, Broncos 0.
J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey were both on the field to start the Broncos next drive and it was Dobbins to took the handoff for three yards. Bo Nix would then fake the handoff to Dobbins before tossing to him out in the flat where he’d gain four yards. On third and three, Nix had his pass to Jaylen Waddle knocked away for another three-and-out for Denver’s offense.
Denver’s defense almost forced their own three-and-out, but Riley Moss would commit a fairly easy pass interference call to give the Rams the first down. They’d force the Rams into another third and seven on the next series and the Broncos got torched by a tight end screen play for a first down our near midfield. Two plays later they’d again face a third and long — this time 11 yards — where Stafford finds a wide open pitch and catch for the first down.
The Rams were making it look easy against Vance Joseph’s defense in the first half. Denver was fortunate to only be down 10 at this point in the game.
That would quickly change. Davante Adams would smoke Pat Surtain on deep pass down the sideline for a 22 yard gain and yet another red zone opportunity for the Rams.
After a delay of game on the Rams, Malcolm Roach batted down a pass to make it second and 15. Stafford was then hit when he threw to find Adams for the first down inside the five yard line with Talanoa Hufanga in coverage. He was wide open because of offensive pass interference that pushed the Rams all the back to the 40 yard line. Due to the penalties, that drive would end in another field goal.
Rams 13, Broncos 0.
The Rams had outgained the Broncos 214 yards to 36 yards after that drive. The defense doing everything it can to hold the line, but the offense needed to put a drive together if they were to stay in the game.
A penalty looked like it would derail the next Broncos’ drive early, but RJ Harvey leaked out on the next play taking a Nix pass for 19 yards and a first down. A short run and a dropped pass to an open Jaylen Waddle brought up a third and eight where Waddle would redeem himself with a comeback catch to pick up the first down.
Nix would take an RPO himself for four yards and then handed off to J.K. Dobbins for another four yards to bring up third and two at the two minute warning.
You’d think they’d consider this four-down territory and beef up and run goal line twice to gain two yards. Nope, they go shotgun and take a sack to punt it away. This team is frustratingly predictable.
The air was so deflated from the stadium and the team, the Rams offense came out and easily moved down the field and across midfield in two plays to two wide open receivers. They would close out the half with even more points making the Broncos look silly in all areas.
Rams 16, Broncos 0.
