Broncos vs. Rams: Five Questions with Ramblin’ Fan

As the Denver Broncos inch closer to the season, they travel to face the NFC Champion LA Rams. I sat with Dan Parzych to get his thoughts on the opponent.

The Denver Broncos will be entering their fourth preseason game of the 2019 season as they travel to Los Angeles to take on the team that won the NFC Championship last season, the Rams.

Los Angeles traveled to Denver during the 2018 season (the game that I had the honor of attending), where the Rams were able to hold off a late rally by the Broncos and win 23-20 in winter like conditions for a mid-October game.

The conditions for Saturday’s game will be a tad bit warmer. And both teams will be tuning up before the start of the regular season. But perhaps not in the way that we would believe.

Despite this being the second to last preseason game for both teams, both Vic Fangio and Sean McVay stated that most of their starters will not be playing. It is odd since we usually see starters play for at least a half or go into the third quarter.

However, it seems that both Fangio and McVay are treading carefully seeing the multiple injuries that have taken place so far this preseason. Something tells me this will be another game where the Denver Broncos play most of their backups.

However, this game will see some reunions as Aqib Talib and Wade Phillips will see the Broncos again. I am interested to see the meeting between Chris Harris Jr. and Talib. As well as Von Miller and Phillips.

I chatted with Dan Parzych, who is the site expert from Ramblin’ Fan, the Los Angeles Rams FanSided site, and got his thoughts on what the Rams have been up to this offseason.

PO: The Rams are coming off a SB loss. What was the biggest thing that you believe the team can learn from that loss and can apply it to get back to the big game this season?

RF: As crazy as it sounds, the Rams can use the Super Bowl loss as a learning experience from the big name. Los Angeles was dealing with a new level of pressure last season in regards to being able to win a postseason contest after losing to the Atlanta Falcons right away the year before. Since this young team can now say they know what it feels like to win in the playoffs and participate in the Super Bowl, the experience will hopefully benefit the team in a big way.

PO: How would you grade the Rams offseason? Any moves that you liked or disliked?

RF: I would rank the offseason a B+. Unlike last year, there wasn’t as much excitement with bringing new players on board, but also the work from 2018 has put them in great shape to be a serious contender for years to come. Los Angeles realized the difficulty in bringing back certain players such as Ndamukong Suh and Rodger Saffold, but personally I love what they did in the draft to help make up for it, especially the selection of Greg Gaines.

PO: How has this team looked in the preseason? Any promise going into the 2019 season?

RF: With only one touchdown in two games, it’s no secret the defense of the Rams has been the major strength of preseason so far. But also, it’s difficult to evaluate Los Angeles since Sean McVay has been resting most of the starters. Once certain players such as Jared Goff and Todd Gurley actually suit up in meaningful games, the Rams should be able to return to the high level of play from the previous two seasons with ease.

PO: What are you most looking forward to in Saturday’s preseason tilt with the Broncos?

RF: I’m interested to see the position battle at inside linebacker now that Micah Kiser is expected to miss some time with a left pectoral injury. Plenty of players such as Bryce Hager or Travin Howard will be looking to make a strong case for themselves over these final two weeks to earn additional playing time, so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

PO: What is one player that has impressed you so far in training camp and preseason?

RF: Nsimba Webster has certainly made the battle for one of the final wide receiver spots more interesting to follow with the way he’s been able to separate himself this preseason. Los Angeles is already stacked with their four-headed monster, but Webster could give other players such as Mike Thomas and KhaDarel Hodge a run for that No. 5 spot.

Thank You Dan for taking the time out to chat with me. If you want to see his interview with me, you can check it out here.