Led by Todd Gurley, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Denver Broncos, 23-20 Sunday. The fourth-year running back was simply too much for the Broncos to handle as he finished with a game-leading 28 carries for 208 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Gurley’s impressive performance on the ground made up for Los Angeles’ lack of passing offense Sunday and spoiled Denver’s comeback effort in the second half. Jared Goff struggled to get in a rhythm for the most of the game and finished with a season-low 201 passing yards. It did not end up mattering though, because Gurley was able to kill the clock and run the clock out.
Defensively, the Broncos did a nice job limiting an explosive offensive unit. The Rams had scored at least 30 points in each of the team’s first five coming in. Unfortunately for head coach Vance Joseph, there are no moral victories in football and the Broncos are now 2-4 for the first time since 2011.
In the loss, the offense only converted on 30 percent of its third down attempts (3-of-10), and the passing offense was wildly inconsistent. Case Keenum completed 25-of-41 pass attempts for 322 yards and two touchdowns, but much of the offensive production came when the game was essentially out of reach.
The rushing attack was not much better. Denver’s trio of Devontae Booker (15), Phillip Lindsay (18) and Royce Freeman (22) combined for 17 carries and 60 rushing yards.
If there was a bright spot for Broncos fans, it was the emergence of rookie defensive end Bradley Chubb, who tied a single-game franchise record for rookies, finishing the 3-point loss with three sacks.
The Broncos will hope Chubb can make a similar impact in Thursday’s road game against the Cardinals.
