The Los Angeles Rams took on the Denver Broncos in a primetime matchup on Sunday Night Football, which resulted in the Broncos coming out on top on the final play of the game with a final score of 30-26.

With the Rams dropping to a 1-2 record on the season, they now need to look to bounce back in Week 4.

Here are the instant takeaways from Los Angeles loss to Denver.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the offense were not able to finish the job in the 2nd half, which is not the usual cause for a unit that is often able to move the ball and the chains.

The Rams had a 16-point lead at halftime, but that lead dwindled away quickly as the Broncos found their rhythm and scored 16 points unanswered. 

Despite putting points on the board in the fourth, the final two drives from the Rams led to a pick-six and then another interception in the end zone.

Los Angeles was marching downfield, but Stafford threw one more untimely pick that led to the loss.

Moving ahead to next week, the Rams have to find a way to be much better in the second half and take much better care of the ball overall, otherwise they could be in danger of dropping to 1-3.

The Rams had all of the momentum, but at times, the coverage and the return element of the special teams did not perform up to a high standard.

At the beginning of the third quarter, wide receiver Xavier Smith caught a punt at the one-yard line when it would have gone into the end zone for a touchback, and as a result, it pinned the Rams' offense deep.

After a three-and-out, the Broncos returned a punt to the Los Angeles 42-yard line on a 28-yard return. With that field position, Denver took advantage and put up eight points on the drive, which jump-started the comeback.

Following a strong performance in Week 2 against the New York Giants, wide receiver Davante Adams followed that up with another great game.

Adams totaled seven receptions for 137 yards on 10 targets and was a great option for Stafford all night long.

With fellow wide receiver Puka Nacua out of the lineup and tight end Terrance Ferguson dealing with an ankle injury throughout the game, the Rams needed Adams to be a very reliable receiving option, and he did just that.

Adams has shown that he is a strong receiver in 2026, and once Nacua returns, the pair could do some real damage.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Rams played very well in the first half as they shut out the Broncos, but without cornerback Jaylen Watson (who was ruled out with a shoulder injury), this defense had some issues in the second half.

In the second half the Rams allowed 30 points and it seemed the altitude played a factor in that, but also with Watson out, it forced fellow cornerbacks Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Josh Wallace to step in.

Forbes and Wallace could not stop big plays as the Broncos were able to move the ball a lot more effectively through the air, and Denver also got the benefit of the doubt on a controversial defensive pass interference penalty called on Wallace.

All eyes will now be on Watson and whether or not he suffered an injury that will keep him out long-term.

While the Rams did have some issues in covering and returning kicks, they did not have any issues when it came to field goals, as it appears kicker Harrison Mevis has found his rhythm.

Mevis went 4-for-4 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points while making kicks from 35 yards, 36 yards, 40 yards, and 48 yards. With this performance, Mevis showed he has the ability to make kicks when the Rams needed points, which was huge in this game.