The Broncos are blown up by the Rams; Russell Wilson throws 3 INTs

INGLEWOOD, California — The Los Angeles Rams (5-10) took one in every of their best wins of the season on Christmas Day. Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos (4-11) suffered an embarrassing 51-14 away loss.

Wilson was fired six occasions and had three interceptions within the recreation, discovering the final zone solely as soon as on a landing shot within the fourth quarter. Greg Dulcich.

rams working again Cam Akers He scored three objectives to spotlight a breakout day from him and the remainder of LA’s offense.

Denver Broncos

It took 15 video games in a misplaced season, however the Broncos lastly felt the roof collapse throughout a Christmas Day catastrophe. Every little thing about Nathaniel Hackett and his workforce was going fallacious on the worst time.

An embattled Hackett has seen his workforce make the form of effort that can considerably influence no matter debate over its future could also be. This effort was so missing in planning and execution that it has seemingly shattered all of the momentum Hackett has put collectively in latest weeks. The Broncos gave silly penalties — led by Randy GregoryHis unexplained private foul within the fourth quarter and nerves flared on the sidelines.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Go determine. Loads has occurred for the reason that first recreation of the sport, however it solely took one recreation for the Broncos to point out that they nonetheless have not realized offensive persistence.

Issues go higher after they make simple completions, transfer the ball, and end the rides. Nonetheless, the primary recreation performed on Sunday was Wilson’s rise from the sideline right into a well-protected space. Courtland Sutton. The 1-yard run and non-completion later noticed the Broncos gamble for the primary time – a preview of how the remainder of the day would go.

The largest hole within the recreation plan: The Broncos’ wounds aren’t any excuse, however they can’t be ignored. Since Justin Simmons In Week 2, he went to the injured backup, 21 totally different gamers of the Broncos went to the injured backup.

The offensive line has been compromised greater than most positions, but Hackett and the workforce’s offensive coaches proceed to make recreation requires the workforce they want had been on the sector reasonably than the workforce that really was on the sector. On Sunday, the Rams had a grouping of three broad units that the defensive entrance often gladly strengthened. The Broncos did their finest in two narrow-end units, however a nationwide viewers hasn’t seen them present it.

QB dump: Wilson has some sincere ideas on what to do within the low season, and his skill to get better after a troublesome 12 months will rely on his willingness to take action. Every of his two tackles within the first three go makes an attempt had been hits that come to thoughts, leading to turnovers deep within the Broncos zone. The Broncos have by no means been in a position to get better from momentum-destroying video games like their third sort out. — Jeff Legwold

subsequent recreation: On the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (January 1, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Los Angeles Coaches

Tight finish in what was an all-round efficiency for the Rams’ offense Tyler Higbee He had by far the very best recreation of the season with 9 catches and two touchdowns for 94 yards. Higbee, who additionally scored in Inexperienced Bay on Monday, failed to attain within the first 13 video games of the season in Los Angeles. Higbee’s three objectives in two video games got here with him. Baker Mayfield within the playmaker. In line with ESPN Stats & Info, Mayfield has scored 39 objectives since coming into the NFL, putting second amongst quarterbacks that vary.

QB dump: Mayfield performed the very best recreation of his brief Rams profession, finishing 24 of 28 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. It did not block. He led a Rams offense, scoring a season-high 51 factors in all however one. Mayfield’s 85.7% completion price was the second highest in a recreation in his profession.

Promising pattern: That is Cam Akers the Rams had been hoping for when he returned from his Achilles harm. After practically a month away from the workforce as Los Angeles struggled to discover a new house for himself, Akers completed the season sturdy, scoring 5 objectives in his final 4 video games. Akers had a complete of 147 yards in opposition to the Broncos on Sunday: 118 quick yards and two catches for 29 yards on 23 pictures and three touchdowns. Akers completed December with probably the most six objectives this month within the NFL. In whole, he scored three quick objectives in his first 23 profession video games.

Promising pattern II: Complementary soccer. The Rams scored two objectives in takeaways within the first quarter. Coming into the sport, they’ve solely completed so as soon as this season. Though he had a number of brief pitches on offense, he did so in opposition to a wonderful Broncos protection, who averaged 18.1 factors per recreation and was the third-feetest level within the league. The Rams scored 17 factors within the first quarter. In line with ESPN Stats & Data, that is the primary time the Broncos have allowed greater than seven factors within the first quarter of this season, and solely the fourth time a workforce has allowed factors of their opening drive. — Sarah Barshop

subsequent recreation: At Los Angeles Chargers (January 1, 4:25 PM ET)