Broncos rally past Rams 30-26 in Sunday night comeback

The Denver Broncos erased a 16-0 halftime hole to beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-26 on Sunday night, improving to 2-1. After a scoreless first half, the Broncos scored two touchdowns and two-point conversions to tie the game at 16-16 late in the third quarter. The Rams retook a three-point lead early in the fourth, but Denver capitalized on several Los Angeles mistakes to secure the win.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw an interception that was returned 66 yards for a touchdown by safety Talanoa Hufanga, giving Denver a 23-19 advantage. The pick was the 33rd of Stafford’s career, moving him past Brett Favre for the most interceptions in league history. Stafford responded with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Konata Mumpfield, narrowing the gap to 26-23 with 3:38 remaining.

"It looked like receiver Pat Bryant pulled Wallace down rather than Wallace interfering with the receiver," NBC analyst Terry McAuley said of a disputed defensive pass-interference call that nullified a potential Rams interception.

Penalties against the Rams provided Denver with a fresh set of downs, including an illegal hands-to-the-face penalty that placed the ball at the 2-yard line. Running back Jaleel Nix then scored on a 1-yard rush to put the Broncos ahead. The Rams drove deep in the final seconds but a final pass from Stafford to Davante Adams was intercepted by Hufanga, ending the game.

Nix completed 17 of 34 passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Stafford finished 30 of 55 for 390 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, becoming the first player to reach 20,000 passing yards with two different teams in a single season. The Rams’ defense recorded one sack and three quarterback hits, while Denver’s defense logged five sacks, eight tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits.