Broncos 17, Rams 12: L.A. Finishes Preseason With Third Loss
The Los Angeles Rams are looking ahead to the regular season now.
The team's preseason ended in a third consecutive loss, this time a 17-12 setback at the Denver Broncos.
Just like the other two preseason contests, Matthew Stafford was included in a group of starters who will not play until the regular season kicks in two weeks against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.
Those playing Saturday were fighting for the final few spots before each team slices its roster from 80 to 53 on Tuesday.
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The Broncos took a different approach and started some of their key players, including newly-appointed first-team quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, acquired in a trade during the offseason.
Bridgewater connected with Courtland Sutton on the team's lone first-half touchdown. The Rams trailed the Broncos 10-9 heading into the locker room.
The Rams took a 12-10 lead midway through the third quarter with the fourth field goal from Matt Gay. Los Angeles had its strongest opportunity for a touchdown all night on that drive, and settled for three.
The team has several other chances to get in the end zone in the second half, including the final drive of the game. Trailing 17-12, Bryce Perkins had the Rams in position to win for the second week in a row.
That drive featured Perkins gaining 20 yards on a 3rd-and-10 scramble that showed signs of a someone meant to stay in the NFL. Perkins drove the team to the Denver 22-yard line, but the march and opportunity to win stalled there.
Perkins played every offensive snap for the second week in a row, and finished the night throwing for 208 yards and rushing for 50.
The finale was not much of a representation as to what the Rams will look like in two weeks, but seeing Perkins shine proves belongs on the team. That's the biggest takeaway from the game.
Safety J.R. Reed led the team in tackles (6) and second-round draft pick Tutu Atwell led the team in receiving yards (62). Depth is always critical in the NFL, and there are some players on the back end of the depth chart that can make plays. That's always a good sign for contending teams.
The Rams plan to be a contender when the season opens in two short weeks.
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