Rams @ Broncos
Final Score: Broncos 17, Rams 12
Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)
In what was largely a forgettable preseason contest that contained little to no relevance to any specific fantasy football aspect of note, the Broncos won their third straight preseason game 17-12 over the Rams. Newly-named starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater executed an impressive 9 play, 75-yard touchdown drive that was finished off with a nice connection with the returning Courtland Sutton, something that will give Broncos fans plenty of optimism for the start of the new season.
The Rams rolled out the backups and used a skeleton squad in what was surely a roster-culling exercise for next week. There were some nice moments for second-round wide receiver Tutu Atwell but that was about all.
It’s good to have y’all back. 🙌@SuttonCourtland x @VonMiller pic.twitter.com/2K99Hq3o15
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 29, 2021
Los Angeles Rams
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Bryce Perkins: 23/42, 201 yards, 2 sacks | 9 carries, 50 yards
The 2020 undrafted free agent has shown enough to be a solid backup behind Matthew Stafford, who did not play a minute of the preseason. However, he is unlikely to beat out John Wolford, who had a memorable one-game cameo last year for the Rams. Perkins is a mobile, accurate thrower who has consistently moved the chains for the Rams in the preseason. His dual-threat aspects have not gone unnoticed and he will likely draw some attention if the Rams let him go.
Bryce Perkins just does not get rattled. Aside from getting a handle on this offense in just his second season w/hardly any reps (and no scout team), aside from his clear ability…it's his poise that I think makes it so risky if the Rams do decide to subject him to waivers.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 29, 2021
Running Back
Xavier Jones: 13 carries, 44 yards | 5 targets, 3 receptions, 20 yards
Otis Anderson: 3 carries, 10 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
SMU alumni Xavier Jones suffered a blow in his attempts to make this team when he left with an ankle injury in the second half. Also, undrafted rookie Otis Anderson looked pedestrian at best. The Rams traded for former Patriots running back Sony Michel this week after both Cam Akers‘ season-ending injury and Darrell Henderson simply just struggling to be ready for the start of the season. We learned nothing new here. The Rams are protecting their offense to get ready for the opener.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tutu Atwell: 12 targets, 8 receptions, 62 yards
Triston Jackson: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 48 yards
Kendall Blanton: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 30 yards
Brycen Hopkins: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
JJ Koski: 4 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
Jeremiah Haydel: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Jacob Harris: 3 targets
The Rams basically funneled their offense through second-round pick Tutu Atwell, with a clear objective of getting him plenty of work in the build-up to the season. Sean McVay will likely have some specific packages he wants to use Atwell in when the new season comes around. However, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Desean Jackson, and Van Jefferson are all ahead of him on the depth chart and have not been risked during preseason games.
Denver Broncos
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater: 6/11, 62 yards, TD
Drew Lock: 5/7, 67 yards, TD, fumble, sack | 2 carries, 8 yards
Brett Rypien: 3/7, 17 yards, INT | 2 carries, 4 yards
Thankfully, the Broncos were worth watching in this game as they gave the start to their new QB1, Teddy Bridgewater. “Teddy Two Gloves” clearly has a better grasp of the playbook and looks remarkably more assured in the pocket than Drew Lock. Ball security is another big element going in Teddy’s favor.
Two of the three drives led by Bridgewater resulted in points – the last a clinical drive that finished with a nice throw on the move to Courtland Sutton.
Avoid the rush, put it on the money.@teddyb_h2o hits @SuttonCourtland for a TD!@Broncos | #LARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/VNs9tWrZn7
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2021
Teddy is ready to go for the opening game, and Lock will have to be satisfied with a place on the Broncos’ bench. Despite a good showing in last week’s game, we saw the best and worst of Lock in this one.
He showed poor pocket awareness and was guilty of holding onto the ball for too long on a number of occasions, one of which resulted in a strip-sack fumble recovered by the Rams.
Always good when you can recover your own strip sack, Michael Hoecht.@RamsNFL | #LARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/dlLZ9YFnny
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2021
Lock did manage to find the endzone in the second half to third-year practice squad tight end Austin Fort.
🙌 Touchdown, @Austin__Fort! 🙌
📺: #LARvsDEN on My20 pic.twitter.com/P8gxUMNkkG
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 29, 2021
This battle in Denver is not over, however, and there is a possibility that Lock may regain the job if results are not indicating a push for the playoffs after a handful of games. Still, this quarterback situation is one to avoid for fantasy purposes.
Running Back
Melvin Gordon: 5 carries, 35 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Damarea Crockett: 11 carries, 39 yards | 1 target
Royce Freeman: 5 carries, 9 yards
Stevie Scott: 7 carries, 23 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 2 yards
Melvin Gordon saw his first taster of preseason action and ran well in limited snaps. This appearance was required to ensure he built some connection with Teddy before the start of the season. Gordon is on course to head this backfield, with rookie Javonte Williams earmarked to spell him at times.
.@Melvingordon25 just about broke one.@Broncos | #LARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/SGfoIzJE7N
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2021
Royce Freeman once again ran poorly and could be a roster casualty this week. The former third-round pick is reportedly on the trade block and is a more expensive depth option than free-agent Mike Boone.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards, TD
Albert Okwuegbunam: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards
Trinity Benson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 34 yards
Eric Saubert: 1 target, 1 reception, 20 yards
Kendall Hinton: 1 target, 1 reception, 14 yards
Shaun Beyer: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Austin Fort: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards, TD
De’Mornay Pierson-El: 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards
Tyrie Cleveland: 2 targets | 1 carry, 0 yards
Tim Patrick: 2 targets
Andrew Beck: 1 target
If you were worried about Courtland Sutton‘s repaired ACL, don’t be! The exciting wide receiver is back and will be a huge threat that this team missed last year. He showed off his elite speed and route-running skills on the first couple of drives.
.@SuttonCourtland routed the DB off the screen!@Broncos | #LARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/f1Gd7BE0eW
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2021
And here is an alternate view of his touchdown grab from Teddy. Someone is happy to be back!
Courtland Sutton back 😤 @teddyb_h2o @SuttonCourtland @Broncos #LARvsDEN pic.twitter.com/yPNLJmAzxZ
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 29, 2021
The rest of the Broncos starters were rested for this one and there was nothing amongst the rookies of note. Tyrie Cleveland, a seventh-round pick and potential diamond in the rough, again saw very limited action.
— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)