The Broncos’ early schedule has already put them in the deep end, and now another elite quarterback is waiting. This week it’s Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, a matchup that keeps Denver squarely in the middle of a brutal run of passers.
For Vance Joseph, though, this is familiar territory. Jeff Legwold of ESPN dug into Joseph’s history facing top quarterbacks, and the defensive coordinator made the point plainly: every week brings somebody who can “punish you.”
Stafford arrives with the kind of résumé that demands attention. He is the reigning MVP, and he has piled up 69 career 300-yard passing games along with 22 games of at least four touchdown passes. Joseph’s list of familiar headaches also includes Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen, and the Broncos have gone 5-5 against those quarterbacks during Joseph’s tenure.
That’s the reality Pat Surtain II pointed to: every team has playmakers, but the great quarterbacks are different when they’re rolling. They make a defense account for every detail, and once they spot a weak point, they keep attacking it.
Denver saw that the hard way against Mahomes and the Chiefs in Week 1, but last week the defense settled in and played much cleaner football against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alex Singleton said the turnaround started with winning on first down. Stafford, though, is viewed by many as the league’s best pure passer, which changes the challenge all over again.
And he won’t be working alone. Davante Adams is coming off a huge Monday night performance against the New York Giants, finishing with eight catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
The Rams also bring a backfield problem. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum each averaged at least 6.6 yards per carry, so Denver can’t let tackling slip at all.
The Broncos have talked about meeting their standards on defense, but this might require more than that. The offense is still sorting itself out, with three running backs banged up and possibly unavailable, while Bo Nix has delivered only one good quarter across two games so far.
In Other News...
Broncos Gain One Edge But Key Week 3 Questions Still Linger
The Broncos got a little healthier at a spot that has mattered to their early-season rhythm, with Javonte Williams and De'Angelo Henderson both returning to full participation in practice this week. For a Denver offense still trying to find its footing, any lift in the backfield matters, especially with a Sunday night trip to face a Rams team also working through its own injury list.
Even so, the injury report still leaves a few important questions hanging over Week 3. Tim Patrick did not practice, Baron Browning was limited, and the Broncos will be watching closely as the week moves on, because availability at wide receiver and linebacker can shape both game plan and depth. Los Angeles has its own concerns, including tight end Tyler Higbee and linebacker Ernest Jones, which only adds another layer to a matchup that already feels like it could hinge on who is healthiest by kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Backfield Suddenly Has A Health Question Fans Cant Ignore
Jonah Coleman made the most of his Week 2 workload, turning 10 carries into 39 yards and a touchdown while leaning on advice from veteran J.K. Dobbins about staying ready for whatever chance comes next. For a Denver backfield already trying to establish some rhythm, that kind of production matters, especially with Coleman working through a sprained ankle and Dobbins listed day-to-day with leg cramps.
The Broncos do not need a full-blown injury alarm to feel the pressure here, but they do need clarity on how the rotation holds up if either back is limited. Colemans emergence gives the offense something to build on, yet the situation also reinforces how quickly the picture can shift behind the line of scrimmage, where availability often matters as much as performance. [Read more 🡒]
Patrick Surtain Draws Serious Praise Before Broncos Sunday Night Test
Davante Adams had plenty of respect for Patrick Surtain II before the Rams and Broncos meet Sunday night, and it was easy to see why. The Los Angeles receiver singled out the Denver cornerback when talking about the matchup, acknowledging Surtain as one of the leagues top players at his position. The two have seen each other before, and their history has already produced enough quality snaps to make this one worth watching.
It also comes at a time when the Rams may need Adams even more. Puka Nacua is doubtful with a hip injury, which could put a heavier load on Los Angeles passing game and make the Adams-Surtain showdown even more central to how the night unfolds. For Denver, it is another chance for Surtain to measure himself against one of the sports most accomplished receivers, with the spotlight likely staying on that duel for as long as it lasts. [Read more 🡒]