Broncos vs Rams Game Analysis: Underachieving Teams Ready for 2022 Season to End

Tough First Year in Denver for Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback Russell Wilson

When the NFL schedule came out, the Week 16 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams might have been viewed as a potential Super Bowl preview. Instead, it is just a pair of 4-10 teams playing out the season. When looking at the Broncos vs Rams game analysis, this is not something that anybody saw coming.

Both teams have been eliminated from postseason consideration. Denver has a -35 point differential despite having a top-notch defense while only the Houston Texans have a worse point differential than the Rams, the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Receiver Cooper Kupp, defensive tackle Aaron Donald and quarterback Matthew Stafford are among the stars who have missed time for the Rams this season. Making matters worse, the Rams sent their first-round pick to the Detroit Lions in the trade that brought Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles.

Speaking of giving up draft capital, multiple picks went from Denver to Seattle in the trade for quarterback Russell Wilson. There are 25 quarterbacks who have better passer ratings than Wilson.

Game Information

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are still a dangerous team as evidenced by the near upset of AFC West champion Kansas City two weeks ago when Denver rallied from a 27-point deficit before falling 34-28. That was followed up by a 24-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Now the Broncos vs Rams game analysis is showing Denver as the road favorite.

Brett Rypien was at quarterback for the Broncos in place of Wilson. He was 21 of 26 for 197 yards with one touchdown and one interception while Latavius Murray, who began the season with the New Orleans Saints, ran for 130 yards. The lone TD catch was by Eric Tomlinson, who hadn’t reached the end zone since 2017 when he was a rookie with the New York Jets.

It has been that kind of season with key football players injured and the available players unable to live up to their expectations.

Denver is just 3-8 in one-score games and that includes two overtime losses.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams went all-in when it came to the pursuit of a Super Bowl and it paid off when the Rams won it all a season ago. The bottom has dropped out this season and there could be some tough times ahead.

There are questions about the future of Stafford, who has not been impressive when he was on the field. Losing “all-everything” pass catcher Cooper Kupp was a big blow; however, things were headed downhill even before that. Donald had missed just two regular-season games in his first eight NFL seasons. He has already been sidelined for three games and is questionable this week.

The biggest flaw for the Rams might be the running game. Only the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fewer rushing yards this season than the Rams. The top rusher is Cam Akers and he was exiled away from the team at some point this season.

When looking at the Broncos vs Rams game analysis, the lack of a running game could be a reason why the Rams are underdogs at home.

Broncos vs Rams Injury Update

When looking at the NFL injuries, Wilson should be back at quarterback as he is considered probable after being sidelined with a concussion. Who he will be throwing to is another story as receiver Courtland Sutton is questionable. Offensive linemen Quinn Meinerz and Tom Compton are also questionable for the Broncos.

Donald is questionable for the Rams and so are quarterback John Wolford and cornerback David Long Jr.

Broncos vs Rams Head to Head

The Rams have won the last four games against the Broncos, picking up two victories at home and two more on the road.

The last win by the Broncos in the series came in 2002 when Denver, listed as a three-point home underdog, won 23-16.

The most recent meeting came in 2018 when the visiting Rams won 23-20 although Denver did cover as a seven-point underdog.

Four of the last five meetings between the NFL teams came in under the total.

Broncos vs Rams Betting Preview

With so many key players unable to suit up, it is hard to know what to expect from these two teams.

The Rams are 1-7 over their last eight games and the Broncos 1-5 in their last six so this could be a nationally televised game that could have casual fans looking for something else to watch.

The total has gone under in eight of the last 10 Denver games as well as in 11 of the last 16 contests played by the Rams. Perhaps that is why the total of 36.5 is one of the lowest in this week’s NFL action.

The Rams have covered in just three of their last nine games. However, they have won five straight home games against Denver.

The game opened as a Pick’Em but now lists Denver as a 2.5-point favorite with plenty of money coming in on the Broncos. The total has gone from 35.5 to 36.5.

Whether looking at the NFL standings Week 16 or the records of the teams against the spread (10-17-1) it is not a pretty picture.
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