There will be no let-up on the schedule for the Los Angeles Rams following their win over the New York Giants on Monday night. They get a Denver Broncos team this week that bounced back in their second game, just as the Rams did.
And this time, it'll be a true road game for Sean McVay's squad.
No single matchup will decide Sunday night's game, but collectively, these six individual battles will have a big impact on the outcome.
WR Davante Adams vs. CB Pat Surtain II
Assuming Puka Nacua is out, we're likely to see Surtain on Adams a lot throughout Sunday's game. The Broncos also have Riley Moss, but if they want to erase the Rams' best receiving option, they'll put Surtain on Adams. These are two familiar foes, too, dating back to Adams' time in the AFC West with the Raiders.
Adams knows
what to expect from the big, physical Surtain on the outside, using his length to press the Rams receiver at the line and bump him off his routes. Adams made a bunch of great, contested catches on Monday night, and he'll have to make a bunch more on Sunday.
CB Trent McDuffie vs. WR Jaylen Waddle
McDuffie's speed will be tested every time he lines up across from Waddle, who's one of the fastest players in the NFL. Waddle looked excellent in his home debut for the Broncos in Week 2 after being held to one catch for 2 yards in the first game, and he's only going to develop more chemistry with Bo Nix as time goes on.
No cornerback in football is playing better than McDuffie right now, so Waddle has his work cut out for him. McDuffie has allowed just one catch on eight targets, with one interception and a 0.0 passer rating against.
OLB Josaiah Stewart vs. LT Garett Bolles
The Rams are still without Myles Garrett, so it'll be Stewart stepping up for the second straight week. He had three pressures, including a QB hit, against the Giants on Monday night and will now go up against Bolles, who was a first-team All-Pro last season after allowing zero sacks all year. So far this season, he's given up zero pressures, picking up right where he left off in 2025.
The Rams will get creative with their pressure packages by utilizing a variety of players and blitzes, but if Stewart can win a few one-on-one battles with Bolles, it'll help in a big way.
DT Aaron Donald vs. RG Quinn Meinerz
Donald was great in his season debut against the Giants, though he didn't exactly rack up the tackles and pressures. He'll face a quality guard on Sunday night when lining up across from Meinerz, who ranks second among all guards with a 90.8 run-blocking grade, per PFF.
Donald is best when rushing the passer, so he'll try to win some reps when Nix drops back to pass, but it's important for him to be stout against the run, as well.
RG Kevin Dotson vs. DT Zach Allen
So much of this game is about winning in the trenches, as evidenced by these marquee matchups. Dotson is one of the better guards in the league and has been as good as usual this season, but Allen is a force on the inside. Allen leads the team with eight pressures, including two sacks and four quarterback hits.
He's great against the run, too, making five total stops this season. The Rams will want to run the ball against Denver's front but Allen will try to make that difficult.
TE Terrance Ferguson vs. CB Ja'Quan McMillian
This is a matchup the Rams should (and probably will) try to exploit. With Surtain and Moss on the outside, Matthew Stafford can target the 6-foot-5 Ferguson against the 5-foot-10 McMillian in the slot. Ferguson is coming off a 54-yard game where he caught six passes and one touchdown, so expect Stafford to throw his way again on Sunday night.
If Adams struggles to separate from Surtain, Ferguson should be available in the middle of the field against McMillian.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 6 key matchups that will decide Rams vs. Broncos in Week 3
