The Los Angeles Rams looked slow to get going in Nashville during the first two quarters. But then exploded with a dominating second half in the 33-19 romp of the Tennessee Titans.
Puka Nacua rose as the lone first half highlight — taking a 45-yard run into the end zone during fourth-and-one. L.A. still trailed 13-10 at the half. But later outscored Tennessee 23-6 the rest of the way.
These elements paint the picture of the Rams’ Super Bowl vision playing out.
Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams increasing chemistry
The Super Bowl-winning quarterback was two yards shy from 300 yards. But he fed the ball to his newest wide receiver Davante Adams for his first Rams touchdown, which placed L.A. for good.
Adams eventually joined NFL history after the win. But he also hit his first-ever 100-yard game as a Ram (106 yards on six catches).
Shows Stafford and the perennial Pro Bowler are increasing their chemistry. Which won’t sit well for the defensive coordinators preparing for this Rams offense moving forward.
Rams defender ‘took game to the next level’
Cam Ward delivered an explosive highlight-reel touchdown throw. Yet a Rams defender raised his level of play against the top pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, from the eyes of Sean McVay.
The head coach watched third-year defender Byron Young harass and tussle down Ward. Young grabbed Ward for two sacks and forced a turnover in the romp.
“I thought (Young) took his game to the next level,” McVay told reporters afterward. “You see when Ward’s able to extend plays, he’s got the speed to be able to track him down. I think he made the game-changing play where he forces the sack fumble.”
Rams have new, needed offensive help in backfield
Los Angeles can now rest knowing that Kyren Williams doesn’t always need to carry the load.
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Question 1 of 4
Who scored the ‘Helmet Catch’ in Super Bowl XLII?
Plaxico Burress
David Tyree
Eli Manning
Victor Cruz
That’s because Blake Corum is running like he’s wearing a Michigan uniform.
Corum tallied 44 yards on five carries and scored the final Rams touchdown of the afternoon on a one-yarder. The alternate running back is showing the skillset that turned him into a day two of the draft selection.
Nacua is showing versatility
McVay has more than a physical, downfield threat out of Nacua. He’s got a frightening downhill runner out of Nacua too.
The wide receiver ran with the authority of a power back on his lone handoff. Nacua helped lift the Rams to average six yards per carry against Tennessee.
McVay thrived with Robert Woods taking jet sweeps and Cooper Kupp lining up in the backfield but still catching passes. Nacua is his new gadget toy he can move around.
Rams front 7 is deep
The defensive linemen and linebackers, combined, will spark conversations for best in the league.
Kobie Turner grabbed one sack and continues to wreck havoc post Aaron Donald. Braden Fiske helps free him and the other trench defenders up. Jared Verse commands lots of attention, which only opens the door for Young and the other edge rushers to leave destructive debris out of the opposing offense.
Speaking of the latter position, L.A. is realizing it has a new option to unleash in Josaiah Stewart. He joined the Rams’ sack party and his pass rush penetration has already given Ward and C.J. Stroud fits this season. Newcomer Nate Landman (eight tackles) is another solidifying this front seven — helping fuel the championship chatter.
Bo Nix and the Broncos face scrutiny as 4 blunders overshadow controversial call in crushing defeat
The Denver Broncos found themselves in the eye of a storm following a disappointing defeat, one marked by a series of errors that paved the way for a contentious officiating decision to loom large in the aftermath. As the Broncos processed the loss, the blame game began, with four critical blunders drawing immediate attention.
Critical Errors Set the Stage
In a game that could have swung in their favor, the Broncos’ performance was marred by significant mistakes. These errors were not just minor slip-ups but rather glaring miscalculations that ultimately shifted momentum away from Denver.
Turnovers: The Broncos turned the ball over at crucial moments, allowing their opponents to capitalize and build a lead.
Missed Opportunities: Several promising drives stalled due to penalties or missed throws, leaving points on the field.
Defensive Lapses: Key defensive assignments were overlooked, resulting in explosive plays that should have been contained.
Special Teams Struggles: Issues in the special teams unit contributed to poor field position, further complicating Denver’s efforts to mount a comeback.
These blunders collectively set the stage for a controversial call late in the game that many fans and analysts felt overshadowed the Broncos’ larger issues.
The Controversial Call
With the game hanging in the balance, a questionable foul by the officials drew ire from players and fans alike. The call not only shifted the momentum but also ignited a debate about officiating standards and their impact on the game.
Quarterback Bo Nix, visibly frustrated, was seen discussing the call with officials. “It’s tough to see a game decided on a call like that,” Nix remarked, reflecting the sentiment among his teammates and the fan base.
Looking Ahead
While the controversy surrounding the officiating will dominate the headlines, the Broncos must confront the underlying issues that contributed to their defeat. With the next game approaching, the focus will be on rectifying these errors.
The Broncos have plenty to analyze as they prepare for their upcoming matchup. Turning their attention to improving execution and reducing mistakes will be critical if they hope to regain their footing.
As the scrutiny intensifies, both the players and coaching staff will have to navigate the fallout from this loss, using it as a learning opportunity to build a more resilient team moving forward.
