The Broncos didn’t exactly ease into the season. Their first six quarters were a mess, but they settled in after halftime last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now they get a Sunday Night Football test against the Los Angeles Rams at home.
That matchup brings a familiar wrinkle: both teams took a blowout hit in Week 1 and answered with a Week 2 win. It also comes with injuries on both sides, including at least one key Rams absence and several other situations worth watching. That uncertainty makes the sleeper watch a little trickier, but Denver has a handful of players who could swing this one if they show up in a big way.
One of the cleaner opportunities may come through tight end Evan Engram. The Rams have handled tight ends well, but linebacker Nate Landman is questionable in coverage and dealing with an injury.
Denver may have the personnel to force that matchup, though the Rams’ scheme makes it difficult to isolate Landman. If the Broncos can get Engram on him, that’s a real edge - and they’ll need Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton to pull the safeties away to make it happen.
Up front, the Broncos also have to deal with a Rams pass rush that still carries plenty of punch. There was plenty of buzz about Aaron Donald returning from retirement to pair with Myles Garrett before Garrett landed on injured reserve, but Los Angeles still has Kobie Turner and Byron Young.
That means center Luke Powers is going to have his hands full no matter who lines up across from him. If Powers has a rough night, it could spill over directly onto Bo Nix and the Broncos’ running backs.
Denver’s defensive line faces its own heavyweight challenge. The Rams like to lean on two- and three-tight-end sets, and that can become a problem fast if the Broncos can’t control the line of scrimmage.
Eyioma Uwazurike has been downright poor through two games and has been handled too easily by single blockers. He doesn’t need to stuff the stat sheet, but he does need to force double teams in the run game to keep the rest of the defense from getting stretched when Los Angeles goes heavy.
At linebacker, Drew Sanders is another key piece. His first two games have been rough, even with his Week 1 interception, and he’s been out of position too often while also struggling to trigger downhill against the run.
That’s dangerous against Matthew Stafford, who does a great job spotting defenders out of place and attacking them. If Sanders holds up, it gives Denver a much better chance to keep the Rams from picking apart the defense.
And then there’s Tremon Prentice, who may not be a major offensive factor but has already made his mark on special teams. His work there has been excellent, and that’s an area where the Rams can be attacked in both return and coverage units. If Prentice keeps doing his job as a blocker on return teams, Denver could create chances for multiple big returns.
In Other News...
Courtland Sutton Suddenly Faces A Big Broncos Question In Week 3
Courtland Suttons start to the 2026 season has been quieter than the Broncos probably expected, with the veteran receiver managing just 5 catches for 36 yards on 9 targets through the first two games. The early numbers have been underwhelming enough that his passer rating when targeted has become part of the conversation, which is not where Denver wants to be with one of its most established pass-game options.
The timing only adds to the intrigue. The Broncos recently paid out Suttons prorated bonus, a detail that has naturally led to more questions about where his role is headed if the production does not pick up soon. Denver is expected to work on getting him more involved, and Week 3 against the Rams looks like an early chance to reset the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Suddenly Has A New Concern Before Rams Game
The Broncos backfield is starting to carry a little more uncertainty than they would like heading into their matchup with the Rams. Rookie Jonah Coleman came out of the Week 2 game against Jacksonville with a sprained ankle, and while Sean Payton said Coleman handled himself well despite the issue, it adds another layer to a running backs room already dealing with health questions.
RJ Harvey is still working his way back, and J.K. Dobbins is expected to practice this week, which at least gives Denver some encouraging signs as the game approaches. Even so, the Broncos are suddenly in a spot where the rotation could look different than planned, and how quickly those backs get back on the field may shape the offenses approach against Los Angeles. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Win Put Two New Offensive Answers In Focus
The Broncos win over the Jaguars did more than add another result to the ledger. It also put a couple of fresh offensive pieces front and center, with receiver Jaylen Waddle and rookie running back Jonah Coleman helping give Denver a different look. Waddle was especially hard to miss, piling up eight catches for 138 yards in a debut that immediately gave Sean Payton something to build around.
Payton called the victory significant and made a point of praising Waddles performance and approach, which fits the way Denver needs these new additions to settle in. For a team still sorting out its offensive identity, the encouraging part is not just that the Broncos won, but that two newcomers already looked capable of changing how the unit functions going forward. [Read more 🡒]