In Week 3, the Denver Broncos will face off against the Los Angeles Rams in a high-stakes Sunday Night Football
showdown in the Mile High City. Both the Rams and Broncos came into the 2026 season with high expectations, and were both named among preseason Super Bowl contenders to start the year. With both teams suffering a Week 1 loss, this game becomes a crucial measuring stick for both club very early in the season.The Broncos and Rams have faced each other 15 times dating back to 1972, and the Rams lead the all-time series 10-5-0, per The Football Database. The Rams have won the past five meetings between the teams, with the Broncos' last win coming in 2002.
The most recent meeting between the two sides turned out to be a very consequential
one in the grand scheme of things. The last time the Broncos and Rams met was on Christmas Day 2022, when *shudder* Nathaniel Hackett was still head coach of the Broncos, and Russell Wilson was still the quarterback. That day, the Broncos were completely humiliated in Inglewood by the Rams 51-14. Ultimately, that was the nail in the coffin for Hackett, who was sacked the day after the game.
That game seems like an eternity ago with the events that have transpired since. In response to ending the ill-fated Hackett era, the Broncos traded a first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the rights to coach Sean Payton, who had retired for exactly one season before coming to Denver. Payton has led the Broncos to the playoffs twice since then, including a trip to the AFC Championship in 2025.
This game will be a real challenge for both teams: the Broncos defense against 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua, while the Denver offense faces pass-rushing monster Aaron Donald and Co.
Here's to a great football game coming up on Sunday!
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos vs. Rams series history: Denver hasn’t won since 2002
