Broncos Schedule Rumor: Denver to Host Rams in Week 3 for Sunday Night Football

The NFL schedule release is still a few weeks away, but the rumor mill is already churning at full speed. For the Denver Broncos, the leaks are coming in fast and furious. According to a new report from the social media insider OzzyNFL, the Broncos are set to host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3 for a primetime Sunday Night Football showdown. While this is not yet confirmed by the league, the buzz is building a compelling case for a marquee matchup at Empower Field at Mile High.

If this rumor holds, Denver will open the 2024 season with a gauntlet of three high-profile games. It starts with a road trip to face the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 1. Then, the Broncos welcome the AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Finally, they cap off the first quarter of the season with a Sunday night tilt against the Rams. That is a brutal stretch for any team, let alone a squad breaking in a rookie quarterback.

Let’s break down what this potential Week 3 matchup means for the Broncos, the history between these two franchises, and what Sean Payton’s team must do to snap a painful losing streak.

The Painful History: Denver’s Five-Game Skid Against the Rams

There is no way to sugarcoat it: the Denver Broncos have owned the Los Angeles Rams in recent memory—and not in a good way. The Broncos have lost five consecutive games to the Rams. To find Denver’s last victory, you have to dig deep into the archives. It came all the way back in the 2002 season, when the Broncos eked out a narrow 23-16 win at home.

Since then, it has been all Rams. The most recent meeting was in 2022, and it was an absolute disaster for Denver. The Rams, then the defending Super Bowl champions, rolled into SoFi Stadium and blew the Broncos out of the water with a staggering 51-14 victory. That game was a low point for the Nathaniel Hackett era, and it left a sour taste in the mouths of Broncos Country.

The history is ugly, but it also provides a clear narrative for this rumored Sunday night game. This is a revenge opportunity, but it is also a measuring stick. The Rams went 12-5 last season and are a legitimate NFC contender. For the Broncos to prove they have turned the corner, they must exorcise the demons of that 2022 blowout.

Key historical notes to remember:

• Last Broncos win: 2002 (23-16 at home).
• Last meeting: 2022 (Rams won 51-14).
• Current streak: Rams have won five straight.

Bo Nix vs. Matthew Stafford: A Primetime Quarterback Battle

The most compelling storyline for this Week 3 showdown, if the rumor is true, is the quarterback matchup. The Broncos are expected to start rookie Bo Nix, the team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He will be facing off against future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford, who is still playing at an elite level.

This is a trial by fire for Nix. By Week 3, he will have already faced Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on the road on Monday night, followed by Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars at home. Now, he gets Stafford under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football. That is a three-week stretch of elite quarterbacks that will test every aspect of Nix’s game.

Stafford, meanwhile, is coming off a strong 2023 season where he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns despite a banged-up receiving corps. With Cooper Kupp healthy and Puka Nacua emerging as a superstar, the Rams’ passing attack is one of the most dangerous in the league. The Broncos’ secondary, led by Patrick Surtain II, will have its hands full.

Expert analysis on the QB duel:

• Bo Nix’s advantage: Mobility and quick decision-making. He can extend plays and escape pressure, which will be crucial against Aaron Donald’s interior rush.
• Matthew Stafford’s advantage: Experience and arm talent. He has seen every defense imaginable and can fit throws into tight windows that Nix cannot yet attempt.
• The X-factor: Sean Payton’s game plan. Payton is known for protecting young quarterbacks with heavy play-action and quick passes. If he can get Nix into a rhythm early, Denver has a shot.

Breaking Down the Broncos’ Brutal First Three Games

If the schedule rumors are accurate, the Broncos’ 2024 season opener is a nightmare on paper. Let’s look at the projected first three weeks:

Week 1: At Kansas City Chiefs (Monday Night Football)
Week 2: Host Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 3: Host Los Angeles Rams (Sunday Night Football)

That is a three-game stretch featuring two division champions (Chiefs and Jaguars) and a 12-win Rams team. There is no soft landing for Denver. This schedule forces the Broncos to be ready from the snap of the first preseason game.

The good news? Two of the three games are at home. The Empower Field at Mile High crowd is notoriously loud, and the altitude can wear down opponents. Hosting the Rams on Sunday night gives Denver a distinct home-field advantage that they did not have in the 2022 blowout.

However, the Week 1 trip to Arrowhead Stadium is daunting. The Chiefs have owned the AFC West for years, and Patrick Mahomes is nearly unbeatable at home on primetime. If the Broncos can escape Week 1 with a moral victory—or even a surprising win—the momentum could carry them into the Jaguars and Rams games.

Key factors for the first three games:

• Health: Denver must stay healthy in training camp. Losing a starter before Week 1 could derail the entire plan.
• Offensive line cohesion: Nix needs a clean pocket. The line must gel quickly against Chris Jones (Chiefs), Josh Allen (Jaguars), and Aaron Donald (Rams).
• Turnover battle: The Broncos were -5 in turnovers in 2022 against the Rams. They cannot afford to give Stafford extra possessions.

Prediction and Outlook for the Week 3 Showdown

So, what happens if this rumored Sunday Night Football game between the Broncos and Rams becomes reality? Here is my expert prediction based on current roster construction and coaching.

First, the Rams are the more proven team. They have a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, a dominant defensive tackle in Aaron Donald, and a head coach in Sean McVay who is one of the best offensive minds in football. The Broncos are still in a rebuild, even if they don’t want to admit it. Bo Nix is raw, and the wide receiver room behind Courtland Sutton is unproven.

That said, this game is winnable for Denver. Here is why: the Rams’ defense is not elite. They ranked 19th in total defense last season and struggled against mobile quarterbacks. Nix is exactly that type of player. If Sean Payton can scheme up a game plan that features designed runs, bootlegs, and quick throws to the flats, Nix can keep the chains moving.

Defensively, the Broncos must contain Kyren Williams and the Rams’ running game. If Denver forces Stafford to throw 40 times, they have a chance to create turnovers. Surtain II can lock down one side of the field, but the Broncos need their pass rush—led by Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper—to get home.

My prediction: The Rams are the better team on paper, but the Broncos are at home with a rookie quarterback who has nothing to lose. I expect a tight, defensive battle. The Broncos snap their five-game losing streak to the Rams in a low-scoring affair. Broncos 24, Rams 21.

Conclusion: A Statement Game for the Sean Payton Era

If the rumor is true and the Broncos host the Rams in Week 3 on Sunday Night Football, it will be a defining moment for the franchise. This is not just a regular-season game. It is a chance for Sean Payton to prove that his rebuild is ahead of schedule. It is a chance for Bo Nix to announce himself to a national audience. And it is a chance for Broncos Country to finally celebrate a win over a team that has bullied them for two decades.

The schedule rumors will continue to swirl, but one thing is clear: the NFL is betting on the Broncos to be relevant again. Three primetime games in the first three weeks is a massive vote of confidence from the league. Now, it is up to Denver to deliver.

Mark your calendars, Broncos fans. Week 3 could be the night the narrative changes. Stay tuned for the official schedule release, but for now, this rumor has us excited for what promises to be a thrilling season opener.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.