DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos looks on during warmups before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field At Mile High on September 27, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)Photo: Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Broncos won the toss and deferred to the 2nd the half.
Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense started with the ball at their own 35 yard line. Stafford gained an early 1st down on a pass into the flat to Davis Allen for 13 yards. Kyren Williams got the Rams another 1st down to and LA was quickly to midfield. Facing a 3rd and 5, Nik Bonitto got to Matthew Stafford as he climbed the pocket and forced a punt on the Rams opening possession.
Broncos offense got the ball for the 1st time at their own 14 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 6, Nix's pass fell incomplete and the Broncos quickly went 3 and out on their opening possession. Rams offense went back to work at their own 37 yard line with 9:27 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Rams got a quick 22 yard completion to Davante Adams and were instantly in Denver territory. Facing a 4th and 4, at the Broncos 35 yard line, Bill Vinvovich decided Kyren Williams made a clean catch on the 5 yard out route after a Sean Payton challenge...not there's any obvious history there. Stafford would scramble for 8 yards on a 3rd and 7 and then a couple plays later, Stafford hit Tyler Higbee for a 5 yard touchdown. Rams in front 7-0 with 4:55 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Broncos got their initial 1st down of the drive on a short pass to Sutton who broke a stick route outside for 10 yards. Broncos worked into LA territory before getting a 15 yard DPI on Forbes covering Franklin and now Denver was inside the 30 yard line. The drive stalled and Wil Lutz was brought on to attempt a 43 yard FG that hit the left upright and bounced out. Rams took over at their 33 yard line.
Kyren Williams burst through the line for 30 yards on the 1st play of the drive and LA was quickly into Denver territory as the 1st quarter ended. Kyren Williams made a sensational toe tap catch along the left sideline for 18 yards and the Rams were in the Red Zone. A holding call forced the Rams into 3rd and 12 and Stafford's pass fell incomplete. Harrison Mevis converted a 36 yard field goal and the Rams extended their lead 10-0 with 13:17 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Broncos start their 3rd drive from their own 31 yard line. They quickly went 3 and out, punting it back to LA who started their drive at their own 21. Rams got an initial 1st down on a Riley Moss DPI down the right sideline for 13 yards on 3rd and 7. Facing another 3rd and 7, Terrance Ferguson got 9 yards on a screen and the Rams at midfield. Alex Singleton missed a key tackle. Facing a 3rd and 11, Stafford hit Mumfield for 15 down the right sideline and LA was into Denver territory. Adams gained 22 on a back shoulder catch and the Rams were inside the Red Zone as we passed the mid point of the 2nd quarter. Davante Adams was called for OPI that backed the Rams to the 30 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 21, Kyren Williams gained 9 yards and LA was forced to attempt a 35 yard FG. He was good, extending the lead 13-0 with 4:43 remaining in the 1st half.
Broncos got an initial 1st down on a screen pass to RJ Harvey that went for 19 yards. The Broncos worked into LA territory at midfield but on 3rd and 4, Nix was sacked by Omar Speights and the drive ended. Denver punted it back to LA who quickly worked into Denver territory on a couple of pitch and catch passes to Higbee and Adams. Rams work down to the 32 yard line with 25 seconds remaining in the 1st half. Rams would eventually knock through a 40 yard field goal and take a 16-0 lead into halftime.
Broncos started with the ball out of halftime at their own 32 yard line. After a nice run by JK Dobbins on 1st down, the Broncos would go 3 and out and punt it to the Rams who would start their drive from their own 9 yard line. The Broncos defense forced a quick 3 and out and after an impressive 28 yard punt return, Broncos would be set up at the RAMS 42 yard line with 12:52 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
JK Dobbins ran it 3 straight times and they gained a 1st down to the 31 yard line. Bo with a QB sneak to gain another 1st down to the 21 yard line. Facing a 3rd and 9, Rams came on an all out blitz and Nix hit Sutton on the right side and he fought for 9 yards PLUS had his facemask grabbed. Broncos set up at the Rams 5 yard line and on 3rd down and goal from the 5, Nix found Bryant in the back right side of the end zone for a touchdown! Waddle converted the 2 point conversion and the Broncos were within a score 16-8 with 7:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Rams started from their own 16 yard line and were able to get a relatively easy 1st down with a couple of Williams runs. A holding penalty backed them up, facing a 3rd and 18, Stafford's screen pass went nowhere and the Rams punted it to the Broncos. A huge penalty on Forbes made the Rams punt the ball again and the Broncos were set up at their 48 yard line.
Dobbins gained 5 and got the Broncos into LA territory. On the next run JK gained the 1st down but fumbled it...thankfully Pat Bryant was right there to pick it up and gain some additional yards. Waddle gained 14 on a jet sweep and then Bo hit Badie on a Texas route to get the Broncos in a goal to go situation. Nix would hit Adkins on the right side and he scampered into the end zone for a 8 yard touchdown. Pat Bryant got the 2 point conversion and we had a TIE GAME 16-16 with 2:15 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Rams started from their own 29 yard line and gained an initial 1st down on a 4 yard completion to Higbee. Zach Allen came up with a huge sack for a loss of 9 and the Rams couldn't recover, eventually punting it to Denver.
Sutton came up with a huge 27 yard catch but on the next play, Bo Nix's pass was tipped at the line and intercepted by Josh Wallace and returned to the Broncos 37 yard line. The Rams worked near the Red Zone before Talanoa Hufanga was able to sack Matt Stafford on 3rd down to force a Mevis 48 yard field goal. Rams went back in front 19-16 with 8:40 remaining in the game.
Broncos offense went back to work at their own 30 yard line but on 3rd and 1, Bo Nix's pass was batted at the line and fell incomplete. Jeremy Crawshaw had a BOOMING punt and pinned at their 6 yard line. Stafford hit Davante Adams over the middle and he was off to the races for a 52 yard catch and run. Facing a 3rd and 6, Stafford was picked off by Talanoa Hufanga and he RETURNED IT TO THE HOUSE FOR A PICK 6!!! Broncos went in front 23-19!
Stafford got it back quickly with a 48 yard touchdown pass to Konata Mumpfield. Rams back in front by 3, 26-23.
Bo Nix, on 2nd and 20, hit Pat Bryant wide open for a 40 yard completion. Franklin caught a 21 yard reception as the Broncos were quickly in the Red Zone. On 3rd and 6, Josh Watson was called for DPI and the Broncos were set up goal to go at the 7 yard line inside of the 2 minute warning. A HUGE DPI was called against Wallace on 3rd down giving the Broncos goal to go at the 7 yard line. On the next 3rd down attempt, Rams were called for defensive holding giving the Broncos another 1st down inside the 5. Bo Nix would eventually sneak it in on 3rd down from the 1 and give the Broncos a 30-26 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the game.
Rams worked into Denver territory on a Texas route to Kyren Williams. Higbee had an incredible catch on the sideline at the 34 with 21 seconds remaining. Rams work it down to the 14 yard line with 2 seconds remaining. A false start backed them up to the 19 yard line and Talanoa Hufanga came up with the game sealing interception!! Broncos win 30-26!!
The next broadcast will be on Sunday, October 4th as the Broncos travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers. Coverage starts at 8am MTN on KOA.
Below are the postgame interviews with Bo Nix, Nik Bonitto, Talanoa Hufanga