Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams may be without Puka Nacua as they take on Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos, but the air attack continues to be the focus in this week's NFL Roundtable Game of the Week.
Week 3 of the NFL season is fast approaching and the slate features a number of intriguing matchups. The most intriguing, however, is a clash of two teams expected to be Super Bowl contenders in 2026.
This week's NFL Roundtable Game of the Week features a part of 1-1 juggernauts as the Los Angeles Rams, coming off of a bounce-back win after being embarrassed Week 1 in Australia, visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
We reached out to our Broncos Roundtable podcast host Mike Vojtko and Rams Roundtable publisher James Brizuela to answer five key questions headed into the marquee matchup.
1. What is the biggest story for each team heading into the matchup?
Rams RTB: How the Rams continue to manage without the help of star wide reciever Puka Nacua. The wideout is doubtful due to a soft tissue injury that Head Coach Sean McVay called “pre-hernia.” If the young pass catcher is ruled out, the offense will need to rely heavily on fellow receiver Davante Adams.
Adams nearly secured 200 yards against the New York Giants, but the Broncos are a far scarier defensive matchup.
Broncos RTB: The running back room. Ball-carrier Jonah Coleman broke out in week 2, but is ruled out for the Week 3 tilt. J.K. Dobbins, who was hurt in the Week 2 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was limited in practice, but is good to go for this matchup. RJ Harvey, who was out in Week 2 with a hamstring injury, is also good to go. How the room performances without Colman will be an intriguing storyline to follow Sunday night.
2. What is the most important matchup in this game?
Rams RTB: The Broncos' offensive line vs. recently unretired defensive lineman Aaron Donald. The Giants had to double and triple team Donald to keep him off quarterback Jaxson Dart, who ended up getting hurt after Rams edge rusher Byron Young got in the backfield. This Broncos line must not allow the same thing to happen to quarterback Bo Nix.
Broncos RTB: Nacua vs. Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II; however the Rams receiver's status is up in the air for Sunday. If the Rams star is out, 33-year-old Adams will step into the No. 1 role. He just gashed the Giants for nearly 200 yards and two scores on Monday night. It will be interesting to see how Adams plays against one of the premier corners in the league.
3. Which player from each team isn’t talked about enough but could play a huge role?
Rams RTB: Tight end Terrance Ferguson has been making strides each week, and could be counted on again in the passing game. His 54 yards and touchdown against the Giants prove that quarterback Matthew Stafford has built nice chemistry with Ferguson, and he could be what fellow tight end Colby Parkinson was in 2025.
Broncos RTB: Linebacker Nik Bonitto has had a quiet start to his 2026 campaign. He appeared to have a strip sack early against Jacksonville, however, it was negated by a penalty committed by cornerback Riley Moss. The Broncos will need to put the pressure on Stafford early and often to stifle the high-flying Rams offense. Bonitto will have to lead the charge.
4. What is each team’s biggest Achilles heel?
Rams RTB: It remains the wide receiver room. Despite Adams' big game last week, that is something he cannot possibly do every week. Ferguson is a strong option to aid in the passing game, but there remains no true receiver who has stepped up outside of Adams and Nacua. Stafford will need to rely on a committee approach again to get past the Denver secondary.
Broncos RTB: First-half play. Denver continues to have to climb back into games after going down early. Whether it's offensive miscues or poor game planning, the Broncos must score early. They went 0-3 in the red zone, including a turnover, before finally converting their first touchdown early in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars. That kind of offensive performance will need to change against a Super Bowl contender like the Rams.
5. What is your final score prediction?
Rams RTB: Rams 21, Broncos 18
Broncos RTB: Broncos 23, Rams 20
