Sports Illustrated
Two playoff-hopeful teams meet on Sunday Night Football for Week 3 as the Rams and Broncos navigate a tougher portion of their schedules after contrasting Week 1 slips and Week 2 surges. The narrative centers on three pivotal matchups—Davante Adams against Patrick Surtain, Jaylen Waddle against Jalen McDuffie, and the interior pass protection featuring Alaric Jackson against Nik Bonitto—that could shape the game’s outcome by testing Saint-like defensive coverage, disruptive edge pressures, and the Rams’ protection schemes. The result hinges on limiting explosive plays, generating pressure, and sustaining an effective running game to keep conventional downs manageable. Players to watch include Adams, Surtain, Waddle, McDuffie, and Bonitto, with coaching adjustments by Sean McVay and Chris Shula shaping tactical responses. The outlook suggests a closely contested affair with momentum possibly stalling after an early surge, depending on how well the Rams’ pass rush and run game cooperate against the Broncos’ playmaking offense.