The Denver Broncos got the ball back to start the third quarter, but it sure looked like the game was slipping to 16-0 and the Los Angeles Rams were dominating all phases of the game in the first half. The stats back this up as Denver is 5-95-1 when trailing by 15 or more points at halftime.
Bo Nix and the Broncos started their next drive with an inside run with JK Dobbins gaining six yards. Nix got close to Jaylen Waddle and almost had the pass picked off again. The safety wasn’t fooled and easily got into position to possibly make that play. On third-and-four, Nix got pressure and threw another errant pass for a quick three-and-out.
Fortunately, the Broncos defense forced their own three-and-out and Kolbe Katsis made a huge punt return to the Rams’ 40 yard line to give Denver a chance to make something happen. Whether they do or not is the big question of the night.
Just like their last drive, Dobbins opened with a six-yard gain and then followed with another gain of two. On third and two, they run it AGAIN and actually pick up the first down and suddenly it’s like the light at the end of the tunnel is back on this game.
An incompletion and then a rollout pass to RJ Harvey would pick up nine yards to bring up a third and one where Nix would take it out for a first down to set up a red zone opportunity. The drive petered out from there, but Nix hit Courtland Sutton on third-and-long for a first down with a personal foul added to set up first-and-goal from the six-yard line.
Three plays later on third and goal, Nix would finally find an open man in Pat Bryant for a touchdown in the back corner of the end zone for Denver’s first score of the night.
Nix would then hit Jaylen Waddle in the same spot for the two-point conversion to cut the lead to eight points.
Que Robinson made a big hit on the kickoff that really got the crowd going after the touchdown, but the defense immediately missed a couple of tackles on Kyren Williams to give up a first down after two carries. They would tighten up after forcing an offensive possession and eventually forcing a punt to get the ball back for Denver, who suddenly came alive in the second half.
Recovering the ball at their own 48 yard line due to a botched punt, the Broncos regained good field position for their next drive.
JK Dobbins would struggle on a carry, but the ball bounced right to Pay Bryant who scooped it up and ran another nine yards. Denver is lucky.
Then, a completion around Jaylen Waddle led the first defender and streaked for a first down to get inside the red zone. Two plays later, Nix found Tyler Badie in the middle of the field for another first down at the Rams 8 yard line. Nix would find Nate Adkins open at the goal line for an easy pitch and catch touchdown to put the Broncos back in the game.
On the two-point conversion, the play looked busted but Nix still threw it to a well-covered Pat Bryant. Bryant could only work his way to the point of the ball and snagged it in the air for the tie game.
Suddenly the pressure is back on Matthew Stafford and the Rams. They would convert a first down to start their drive, but Zach Allen would blow up a play and hit Stafford for a big fumble to close out the third quarter.