The Los Angeles Rams were in a great position to improve to 2-1 on Sunday night after building a 16-0 lead against the Denver Broncos. But in the second half, they were outscored 30-10, allowing the Broncos to storm back and win in the final minute, 30-26.
Sunday night's loss was more about the Rams giving the game away than it was about the Broncos winning it. Los Angeles made far too many mistakes, from a pick-six to a few costly penalties that handed points to Denver.
These were the seven biggest plays that led to the Rams' collapse at Mile High in their loss to the Broncos.
Steve Avila holding penalty on third-and-2 in 2nd quarter
Already leading 7-0, the Rams were moving the ball with ease on their third possession of the game, getting all the way to the Broncos’ 8-yard line. Facing a third-and-2,
Matthew Stafford handed it off to Blake Corum, who picked up 3 yards and the first down at the 5-yard line. But Avila was called for holding, making it third-and-12.
They were forced to settle for a field goal, making it 10-0 instead of potentially 14-0.
Broncos’ 28-yard punt return in 3rd quarter
The Rams were leading 16-0 at this point in the game, and four plays after Xavier Smith fielded a punt at the goal line, they were forced to punt. Ethan Evans hit a good 57-yard punt to the Broncos’ 30-yard line, but there was no coverage around Kolbe Katsis.
He returned it 28 yards to the Rams’ 42, setting up Denver’s first touchdown drive of the game to make it 16-8.
Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Broncos’ punt return
This was a major turning point in the game. The Rams were leading 16-8 and Evans hit a booming 60-yard punt to the Broncos’ 15-yard line, with the return going for a 6-yard loss to their own 9. That would’ve pinned Denver deep, but Forbes was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, forcing the Rams to re-punt.
This time, Evans hit a poor punt that only went 41 yards, setting the Broncos up at their 48. That’s a 39-yard difference in field position. And, you guessed it: It led directly to a Broncos touchdown seven plays later to tie the game at 16.
Third-down sack by Talanoa Hufanga in fourth quarter
After Josh Wallace’s interception, the Rams had taken back the momentum. They were set up with a short field and got down to the Broncos’ 20-yard line, facing a third-and-5. That’s when the Broncos sent a blitz at Stafford and Hufanga went untouched to the quarterback, sacking him for a 10-yard loss.
The Rams had to settle for yet another field goal to make it 19-16.
Hufanga comes flying in for the sack on 3rd down!@LARvsDEN on NBC/Peacock
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aiHwwh4QBy
Stafford’s pick-six to Hufanga
Following a quick three-and-out by the Broncos, the Rams got the ball back leading 19-16 with 7:03 left in the game. Davante Adams broke off a 49-yard catch-and-run to move the Rams from their own 9 to the Broncos’ 42, putting them in position to add to their lead.
But three plays after that long reception, Stafford made his biggest mistake of the night. He threw a pick to Hufanga, who returned it 66 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Broncos led, 23-19.
HUFANGA PICK-6! DENVER IS LOUD!@LARvsDEN on NBC/Peacock
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/53CZ9kkDpf
Pat Bryant’s 39-yard reception on second-and-20
Leading 26-23, the Rams got the Broncos into second-and-20 with 3:26 to play in the fourth quarter. A defensive stop would’ve put Los Angeles in position to win the game, but the Broncos moved the chains with ease when Bo Nix hit Pat Bryant for a 39-yard gain.
There was a miscommunication in the secondary that led to the huge play, as no one stayed with Bryant on the crossing route. On the next play, Troy Franklin was wide open for a 21-yard gain, quickly putting the Broncos at the Rams’ 15-yard line.
It was 2nd and 20, so Bo Nix and Pat Bryant decided to pick up 39 🏃♂️@LARvsDEN on NBC/Peacock
— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/dmHQWeGxjC
Josh Wallace pass interference penalty on third-and-6 late in the fourth
The Broncos were at the Rams’ 11-yard line needing a touchdown to take the lead. Byron Young flushed Nix from the pocket and as he was attempting to throw the ball to Bryant along the sideline, Wallace appeared to come up with an incredible interception to seal the win for Los Angeles.
Then the official threw a flag for defensive pass interference. It was the most controversial play of the night, giving the Broncos a free first down at the Rams’ 7-yard line. Los Angeles still had a chance to make a defensive stand to win the game, but Nix snuck into the end zone for the go-ahead score with 48 seconds left.
Had Wallace not been called for pass interference, the Rams would’ve taken the ball away and needed just one first down to seal the win.
This isn't DPI. pic.twitter.com/gapxMgE6lJ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 28, 2026
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 7 plays that led to the Rams' collapse vs. Broncos
