Rams vs Broncos Odds, Pick, Prediction: NFL Preseason Preview

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As the NFL preseason winds down, the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos are still trying to find their groove. What does that mean in regards to making a Rams vs. Broncos pick on Saturday night at Empower Field at Mile High?

Both teams are trying to rebound from disappointing 2022 campaigns. This Week 3 preseason finale is their last opportunity to iron out any issues before the regular season.

Let’s dive deeper into Rams vs. Broncos odds and make a betting pick.

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The Rams are 0-2 this preseason, suffering identical 34-17 losses to the Chargers and the Raiders. Head coach Sean McVay has historically not played his starters in preseason, and he has stuck true to that methodology this year.

Former Georgia star Stetson Bennett has all but earned the backup QB job while the Rams offensive line is still getting sorted out. Los Angeles also has glaring holes in the secondary that need to be filled.

Like the Rams, the Broncos are 0-2, although they dropped a pair of one-point games to the Cardinals and 49ers.

Many of Denver’s starters have seen action this preseason, including Russell Wilson, Javonte Williams and Jerry Jeudy (now sidelined by a hamstring injury). Their scoring has been average, though, scoring 17 points against Arizona and 20 points against San Francisco.

Denver has focused on developing the passing game, which is reflected in pass/rush splits. In Week 1, it had 37 pass attempts; in Week 2, it had 30. Those attempts have been distributed amongst Wilson (19), Jarrett Stidham (32) and Ben DiNucci (16).

Stidham took great strides from Week 1 to Week 2, with his passer rating rising from 16 to 92.8. His 7.6 pass yards per attempt led his squad in Week 2, and he should continue to improve against this Rams defense.

If the Broncos continue to hit the air for yards, the Rams are going to be in for a long day. Los Angeles’ secondary was the source of its problems last year, and it’s something that’s yet to be resolved. The Rams allowed 346 passing yards to the Raiders in Week 2, which included multiple completions of 40-plus yards. In both preseason games, the Rams allowed their opponents to convert on third down over 35% of the time.

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The Rams defense struggles against the pass, and that’s something the Broncos should capitalize on. Denver will air the ball out and strike quickly against a Swiss-cheese secondary.

I’m backing the Broncos to be the third straight team to torch the Rams defense this preseason.

Pick: Broncos Team Total Over 22.5 (-120, bet365)

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