NFL Picks: Preseason Week 3 Broncos vs Rams

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The 2023 NFL preseason is in its third week, and football enthusiasts are buzzing with anticipation as the Los Angeles Rams gear up to face the Denver Broncos. The setting? The majestic Empower Field at Mile High is nestled in Denver, Colorado.

In this preseason’s timeline, the last encounter between the Rams and Broncos goes back to 2021. On that day, Denver emerged triumphant, edging out LA with a 17-12 scoreline. Fast forward to the present season, and the Broncos find themselves recovering from two narrow misses.

BUSR NFL Lines

• Spread: Rams +6 (-110), Broncos -6 (-110)
• Moneyline: Rams +190, Broncos -240
• Total: Rams O 36.5 (-110), Broncos U 36.5 (-110)

Two close calls for Denver

Denver’s journey on the road has been nothing short of dramatic. The team was handed an 18-17 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals in the first week. As if that wasn’t enough, they then went on to lose 21-20 against the San Francisco 49ers the following week. In both games, the Broncos displayed an unfortunate knack for letting leads slip – they relinquished a ten-point advantage during halftime in Arizona and an eight-point lead in the final quarter in California.

On the Broncos’ side, Russell Wilson has been the key figure, orchestrating the team’s plays. In the game against the Cardinals, Wilson had a completion rate of over 50%, with seven successful passes out of 13 attempts, tallying 93 yards and a touchdown. His performance slightly tapered in the subsequent match, going 3-for-6 for 24 yards. Meanwhile, Jarrett Stidham’s 12-for-17 for 130 yards performance against the 49ers stood in sharp contrast to his lackluster stats against the Cardinals, where he managed just 50 yards with an interception.

Receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton have also contributed their share, with Jeudy registering a touchdown in Week 1 and Sutton accumulating 35 yards across three receptions. Denver’s running game has showcased potential, amassing 287 yards over 47 carries in two weeks. Jaleel McLaughlin stands out in this aspect, accounting for 65 of those yards over 11 carries and clinching two touchdowns.

Rams haven’t looked themselves so far

Conversely, the Rams’ preseason voyage hasn’t been as favorable. Their debut saw them fall 34-17 to the Los Angeles Chargers, with the Rams’ defense ceding 319 yards, 214 of which came from the Chargers’ 31 runs. Their second week wasn’t any better, suffering another 34-17 loss, this time at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders. In this clash, the Raiders dominated with a 440-224 total yards advantage, spotlighting the Rams’ defensive vulnerabilities.

Young rookie, Stetson Bennett, has been the Rams’ silver lining. Over two weeks, Bennett threw for over 330 yards. Ronnie Rivers has spearheaded the Rams’ rushing efforts, achieving 73 yards from 15 carries. In the receiving department, Tyler Johnson and Davis Allen together accumulated 158 yards over 16 receptions.

Recommendation

Given the Rams’ apparent defensive shortcomings and lack of depth observed during this preseason, the odds seem to be tilting in favor of the Broncos. Denver’s prowess, especially in their running game, is expected to shine through, making them the probable victors, especially buoyed by the energy of their home crowd.

Furthermore, while the Broncos’ defense against the run has been commendable, the Rams will likely pivot their strategy, focusing on Bennett’s throwing abilities. But Bennett, being in the nascent stages of his career, has yet to foster a solid rapport with his teammates. This, combined with the Rams’ receiving group’s inconsistency, casts doubt on their ability to sustain momentum throughout the game.

In conclusion, when the dust settles at Empower Field at Mile High, it appears that the Broncos will have the edge, both in terms of performance and odds. As the teams lock horns in this riveting cross-conference face-off, the Broncos seem poised to capitalize on the Rams’ chinks as NFL Odds suggest they will.