Sean McVay didn’t have a fresh wave of bad news for the Rams on Friday, but he also couldn’t exactly clear the deck heading into their road game against the Broncos.
The biggest concern remains Puka Nacua, who is expected to miss another week. Safety Kam Kinchens is also doubtful after the hamstring issue that sidelined him on Monday. Earlier in the week, the Rams put running back Ronnie Rivers on injured reserve with a calf injury, which opens the door for Dean Connors.
There was better news elsewhere. Tight end Colby Parkinson, who did not practice all week after hurting his knee against the Giants, is still questionable and, in McVay’s words, is “ trending in the right direction,”. Receiver Jordan Whittington is set to return, and linebacker Nate Landman is back as well.
With the injury picture sorted, the matchup points to a tight, low-scoring fight.
The Rams are expected to have trouble getting much going early through the air in a tough road setting, so the run game could carry the load while Matthew Stafford looks for key throws late. Davante Adams, fresh off a 195-yard explosion, is unlikely to come anywhere near that kind of output again, especially with Pat Surtain II across from him. But the idea here is not to shut Adams down all night - it’s to slow him down long enough for Stafford to find him for a second-half touchdown that matters.
Kyren Williams and Blake Corum should keep the ground game moving, and that could give McVay enough balance to work the middle of the field through his tight ends and keep the chains moving.
On the other side, the Rams defense is projected to make life hard on Denver for a second straight week.
Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both facing their former AFC West foes, should be in the middle of it. Jaylen Waddle brings an added burst to the Broncos’ offense, but Courtland Sutton and Sean Payton’s playcalling are familiar territory for those ex-Chiefs corners. McDuffie, in particular, has been sharp, and that should help the Rams keep Denver’s passing game from taking over.
Up front, the pass rush is expected to force Bo Nix into plenty of movement, while Denver’s J.K. Dobbins-led run game doesn’t project as a major threat. The Broncos are averaging 3.8 yards per carry, and with rookie Jonah Coleman ruled out, that ground attack looks even less intimidating against a Rams front led by nose tackle Poona Ford.
So this one comes down to who handles the ugly stretches better. The Rams are expected to win the field-position battle, keep Denver from hitting explosive plays, and do just enough on offense to stay ahead. Harrison Mevis is also set to hit his first field goal.
Final: Rams 17, Broncos 13. Horns up.
In Other News...
Aaron Donalds Overlooked Rookie Card Says Plenty About His Rams Legacy
Among the rookie cards tucked inside Topps 2014 and 2015 football sets, Aaron Donalds still stands out as one of the more interesting finds for Rams fans and collectors alike. The piece runs through a group that also includes Mike Evans, Davante Adams and Pat McAfee, and the appeal is part nostalgia, part football history, with several of those names still carrying Hall of Fame buzz as the market keeps sorting out what their careers are worth.
For Rams followers, Donalds card is a reminder of how quickly his legacy moved from promising to undeniable, even if the hobby has not always treated his rookie issue like the obvious centerpiece it has become. The broader takeaway is pretty simple: these cards remain accessible enough to be realistic additions, but they also capture a moment when some of the leagues biggest eventual stars were still just another name in a pack. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Give Dean Connors A Real Chance To Earn A Bigger Role
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Sean McVay confirmed the moves and pointed to both players as pieces who can help primarily on special teams, which is often where roster decisions start to matter in a hurry. For Connors, though, this is also a real chance to make the kind of impression that can lead to a larger role if the Rams need more help behind the scenes. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Defense Just Helped Create A New Giants Quarterback Problem
Jaxson Darts rookie season has come to an abrupt halt after suffering a left knee injury that will require surgery and likely send him to injured reserve. For a Giants team already searching for stability under center, the injury has turned a shaky quarterback situation into a more urgent one, and the front office has been actively exploring the market for help even though nothing has been finalized.
Jameis Winston is set to start the next game, with Jake Haener elevated from the practice squad to serve as the backup, but that setup feels more like a stopgap than a plan. For the Rams, it is the kind of ripple effect worth noting after a defense helped send another opponent back to the drawing board at quarterback, leaving the Giants to keep sorting through a problem they can no longer afford to ignore. [Read more 🡒]