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Broncos (4-10) at Rams (4-10)
When: 2:30 p.m. MT, Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/KCNC-4
Broncos-Rams series: Broncos are 5-9 in 14 regular-season games dating back to 1972; the Broncos lost 23-20 in the last meeting, on Oct. 14, 2018, in Denver.
Key matchup
Rams QB Baker Mayfield vs. Broncos secondary
After being traded from Cleveland to Carolina this summer, and then released by the Panthers on Dec. 5, Mayfield found a new home in Los Angeles, signing with the Rams on Dec. 6.
The Rams’ acquisition of Mayfield came after starting quarterback Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve with a spinal cord contusion. Mayfield led a comeback in his Rams debut in Week 14, finding Van Jefferson for the game-winning TD pass with nine seconds left in a 17-16 victory over the Raiders.
This past week, Mayfield was 12-of-21 passing for 111 yards, with one TD and one interception in a 24-12 loss at Green Bay on Monday Night Football. Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Denver isn’t underestimating Mayfield, despite him bouncing around the league this year and being relatively new to coach Sean McVay’s offense.
“I know that’s difficult (to come on a team late in the year), so I give him so much credit for what he’s going through,” Hackett said. “To be able to enter into a team and pick up the system and be able to operate it like he did (against the Raiders) — I don’t think anybody understands how difficult that is… That was an amazing game that he had.”
Mayfield, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma, is 1-1 in two starts against the Broncos with a 87.8 rating.
Bizarrely, his last game against Denver saw him shave his handlebar mustache before and after losing 24-19 to the Broncos as a member of the Browns in November 2019.
Who has the edge?
Quarterback
Russell Wilson did not play last week despite clearing protocol from the concussion he suffered in Week 14 against Kansas City, but he’s expected back this week in place of backup Brett Rypien. Baker Mayfield, who began 2022 in Cleveland, is 1-1 for the Rams. Edge: Even
Running back
Latavius Murray broke loose against the Cardinals for 130 yards, the first time this year a Broncos tailback has cracked the century mark. He’ll carry the load again Sunday. Cam Akers is Los Angeles’ featured back, and he leads them with 441 rushing yards. Edge: Even
Receiver/tight end
Courtland Sutton missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but the Broncos are hopeful for his return on Sunday. It appears KJ Hamler’s season is over with another hamstring injury. Jerry Jeudy is surging. LA’s top threat, Cooper Kupp, is on IR. Edge: Even
Offensive line
The Broncos have trotted out nine different starting O-line combinations this year. Last week, Rypien was sacked six times in the first half alone. The Rams depend on tackles Ty Nsekhe and Rob Havenstein, but have been similarly snake-bit up front with an NFL high 12 different O-line combinations. Edge: Even
Defensive line
Dre’Mont Jones is out with a season-ending hip injury; D.J. Jones, Mike Purcell and DeShawn Williams (who had a career-high 2.5 sacks last week) will need to set the tone in the trenches. Rams world-beater Aaron Donald (ankle) hasn’t played since Week 12. Edge: Even
Linebacker
Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell keep playing like one of the league’s best inside linebacker duos. Denver has Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper and Randy Gregory (who returned last week from IR) off the edges. Bobby Wagner leads L.A. with 118 tackles. Edge: Even
Secondary
Justin Simmons had two picks last week, giving him five interceptions in 2022. Pat Surtain II has picks in consecutive games. Kareem Jackson can still lay the boom. The Rams feature All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey, plus Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott on the back end. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
Brandon McManus continues to be inconsistent on field goals (24 of 32) though the majority of his misses are from blocks or long distances. Montrell Washington has shown flashes as a returner. The Rams’ Matt Gay is 21 of 23 on field goals. Edge: Rams
Tale of the tape
| Category | Broncos | Rams |
| Total offense | 316.1 (27th) | 273.9 (32nd) |
| Rush offense | 107.8 (23rd) | 85.1 (30th) |
| Pass offense | 208.4 (22nd) | 188.9 (25th) |
| Points per game | 15.6 (32nd) | 16.4 (31st) |
| Total defense | 309.0 (5th) | 331.6 (13th) |
| Run defense | 114.5 (14th) | 104.5 (4th) |
| Pass defense | 194.5 (T-5th) | 227.1 (21st) |
| Points allowed | 18.1 (3rd) | 22.9 (18th) |
* Through Week 15
By the numbers
101: The number of penalties committed by the Broncos this year; they’ve been last in the league in that category since October.
4.6: Average yards per play by the Rams’ offense, which is the worst in the NFL.
6: Receiving TDs for Jerry Jeudy this year, a career-high and double his previous best output of three from his rookie year in 2020.
4,904: Career rushing yards for Russell Wilson. The quarterback needs 25 more to surpass Randall Cunningham (4,928) for the third-most by a quarterback in league history.
24: Passes defensed by Pat Surtain II through his first 30 games; he needs two more to tie Deltha O’Neal for the most passes defensed by a Denver cornerback through his first 31 career games.
Betting/fantasy
Line: Broncos -2
A favorite for a second straight week, Sunday provides an opportunity for the Broncos’ defense to feast on a Rams offense whose ineptitude is only matched by Russell Wilson’s unit. Bet on the Rams to at least cover in a defensive-oriented battle.
Prop bet: Over/under 36.5 points
Take the under. This is a matchup between two of the league’s worst offenses. Don’t count on Russell Wilson suddenly finding a late-season groove, and don’t count on Baker Mayfield rekindling the heroics he showed in a game-winning drive in Week 14. Neither team scores 20.
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 21, Rams 13
Go all “Bah, humbug!” about this silly game, if it suits you. Not me. Quarterback Russell Wilson is back in the Denver huddle! It’s on Nickelodeon! The Broncos score three touchdowns! The guys in orange-and-blue win for the second week in a row! Merry Christmas, everyone! And happy Festivus for the rest of us!
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Rams 17, Broncos 14
The defending champions may be down, but Sean McVay will outcoach Nathaniel Hackett and the Rams will find a way to beat the Broncos, overcoming a couple interceptions by Baker Mayfield. Ex-Rams assistant Ejiro Evero has a good showing against his former club, but Dwayne Stukes can’t say the same, as a special teams gaffe somehow ends up costing the Broncos.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 17, Rams 16
Just what the NFL wanted on Christmas Day in Los Angeles: A showdown of 4-10 teams that feels like a crapshoot. If the Broncos defense comes to play, they should be able to shut down what is left of the Rams’ offensive roster. Run the ball, stop the run and come home with a win. As we’ve seen this year, it’s rarely that easy for Nathaniel Hackett’s team. But they’re going up against their match in that department this week.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Rams 20, Broncos 17
You know the season’s gone bad when your December tilts are flexed out of prime time. You know the season’s gotten embarrassing when your December tilts are flexed to Nickelodeon. Even if Russell Wilson avoids facing Aaron Donald, can he outrun SpongeBob Squarepants?
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