The Denver Broncos were able to get their first win of the season last Sunday by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars. But they can't rest on their laurels, as things don't get any easier this week with the Los Angeles Rams coming to town.
The Rams were the Super Bowl favorite for many coming into this season and they looked like that on Monday night when they destroyed the New York Giants. But the Broncos will have the home crowd on their side and should be plenty motivated to make a statement of their own on Sunday Night Football.
This might be the most anticipated game of the season so far, and certainly in Week 3. Here is a look at three matchups to keep an eye on as each of them could go a long way in determining the outcome.
Broncos vs. Rams matchups to watch in Week 3
1. Pat Surtain II vs. Davante Adams
This is an obvious
place to start, as Davante Adams is going to be a key focal point for the Broncos, as it sounds like Puka Nacua is not going to be available for this one.
Without Nacua in the lineup in Week 2, Adams feasted on the Giants' secondary, catching eight passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged nearly 25 yards per catch and looked like prime Adams while torching the Giants.
But he didn't go up against the best defensive back in the NFL in that game and he will on Sunday night when he sees Pat Surtain II on the other side of the field. If Surtain is able to slow Adams down or take him out of this game entirely, the Rams get a lot less scary on offense.
That would force Matthew Stafford to go elsewhere with the football and the Broncos' defense would have a big advantage in that case.
2. Interior offensive linemen vs. Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald returned to the NFL and the Rams' lineup last week, bringing an energy that charged the entire team and all of the fans in attendance. He had three tackles against the Giants and looks every bit like a strong contributor for this defense.
In addition to not having to face Nacua, the Broncos also won't have to go against Myles Garrett in this game, as he continues to recover from knee surgery. Whenever Donald and Garrett are on the same defensive line together, this Rams team is going to be a handful. But on Sunday night, the Broncos need to make sure they neutralize the future Hall of Famer, Donald.
Much of that responsibility could fall on guard Quinn Meinerz. Though Meinerz has turned into one of the best guards in the league, Donald is a handful and blocking him could very well require some help in this game. Expect the Broncos to use Luke Wattenberg from the center position to double-team big No. 99.
3. Ja'Quan McMillian vs. Rams targets over the middle
It seems that the Rams' passing game vs. the Broncos' secondary is going to be the biggest factor in this game. If Surtain can effectively take away Adams on one boundary, the Rams don't have a serious threat on the other side.
That will force Stafford to look to the middle of the field to attack the Broncos, most likely with his tight ends. Terrance Ferguson could be the biggest factor in that spot and he could use his size (6-5) to try and take advantage of the smaller Ja'Quan McMillian (5-10).
Ferguson had six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 and he and Stafford would love to keep that hot streak going by using his size and speed to beat the Broncos. McMillian needs to be prepared to stick with Ferguson and the other Rams tight ends in this game and that could lead to one of the safeties or inside linebackers having to give him a hand.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 3 matchups to watch when Broncos host Rams on 'SNF'
