The Denver Broncos finally gave up on the 2022 season. They had it all. Ugly penalties, sideline pushes, turnovers, sacks, pick six and a partridge in a pear tree. The Los Angeles Rams outshot them 51-14 and it was never really close. Take the next two weeks and end this miserable season.
In-game updates
1:00 p.m.: The Broncos’ game-day inactives look a little normal for a change. The holders of inactive lists from the last few games are all back. Randy Gregory, Courtland Sutton, Dalton Risner, K’Waun Williams and Latavius Murray were questionable heading into this game, but all will be active.
3:01 p.m.: Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense is off to a rough start in the first quarter. After the Rams opened the game with a field goal, Wilson threw two interceptions, both of which turned into touchdowns for a 17-0 lead over Denver.
3:15 p.m.: The Broncos’ offense finally woke up, but a holding penalty stymied the drive. Brandon McManus would have to kick a 54-yard field goal to get the Broncos on the board for the first time in the game. Full summary of the first quarter.
3:34 p.m.: Responding to the Broncos’ scoring drive, Baker Mayfield and the Rams drove right down the field and pounded it for another touchdown to put the Rams up 24-3.
15:54: The Rams offense is proving to be unstoppable on this day. Mayfield and the offense put together a 14-play, 85-yard drive before the end of the first half to extend their lead over Denver to 31-3.
4:01 p.m.: Russell Wilson came alive with less than two minutes left in the half to drive the Broncos down the field with 1 second left to set up McManus for a 49-yard field goal to cut the lead from the Rams to 31-6. in the middle Complete summary of the second quarter.
4:27 p.m.: The Broncos looked like they might put up more points on their first possession of the second half, but Wilson threw it into the end zone for an easy Jalen Ramsey interception.
4:51 p.m.: The third quarter ended with the Rams scoring on every possession of the game. They were leading late in the quarter after adding a field goal to their lead. They are 34-6 and want to score again. Full summary of the third quarter.
5:12 p.m.: Russell Wilson hit Jerry Jeudy deep to get them into the red zone and then found Greg Dulcich in the end zone for the touchdown to cut the Rams’ lead to 41-14. The two-point conversion was good.
5:18 p.m.: Despite the benching of Baker Mayfield, the Rams continued their scoring crusade to get another field goal to put them up 44-14 over the Broncos. They have scored on all eight possessions in this game.
5:24 p.m.: Brett Rypien replaced Russell Wilson and looked like he might lead the Broncos to some garbage time points, but then he threw an ugly interception that was returned more than 80 yards for a pick six. Rams drop a 50 burger on the Broncos. 51-14.
Game preview
It’s hard to believe that the Los Angeles Rams are the defending Super Bowl champions. They have been beset by injuries as much as the Denver Broncos this season and both teams sit at 4-10 looking to end the season on a high note.
This game will come down to Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense once again. If they can score points, Denver’s stout defense should be able to limit Baker Mayfield and force him into costly mistakes that will help the Broncos get their fifth win of the season.
Now that Klint Kubiak has been calling plays for a good 3-4, I think we could see the offense continue to see more and more efficiency moving forward. I’d love to see them put up 20+ points again this week.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Mile High Time on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. You can watch the live broadcast of the game via FuboTV or on CBS or Nickelodeon.
My prediction
In partnership with DraftKings Sportsbook, I’m covering all of my picks this year on TallySight. For once, I actually like the Broncos here and think they can cover that 3 point lead. As is typical of Broncos games in 2022, I also took the lowdown on that 36 over/under. It would be crazy not to give the Broncos the record this season on that front.