Broncos destroy the Rams in Preseason finale: Key takeaways from the 41-0 win

The Denver Broncos have wrapped their 2023 preseason with a massive 41-0 win at home against the Los Angeles Rams. Denver lost back-to-back games against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers but finished it in a fancy way.

The game against the Rams was the first game in Empower Field after the $100 million renovations, and also Sean Payton's first home game and win as the Denver Broncos head coach, despite being a preseason game.

No starters, no problem for the Broncos, as Jarrett Stidham led the offense to a 27-0 first half, and then Ben DiNucci, who played in the entire second half, led the offense to 14 points. It was a very positive game for the Denver Broncos overall. Coach Payton decided to rest his starters, as they had enough reps in two joint practices with the Rams against Los Angeles' starters.

With that being said, let's take a look at the stats of the game.

Broncos stats vs Rams, NFL preseason week 3:

Offense:

• Jarrett Stidham: 17/28 completions/attempts, 236 yards, 1 TD, 1 rushing attempt, 20 rushing yards
• Ben DiNucci: 11/15 completions/attempts, 117 yards, 1 TD, 4 rushing attempts, 22 rushing yards

• Jaleel McLaughlin: 10 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 13 receiving yards
• Dwayne Washington: 6 carries, 26 yards
• Tyler Badie: 8 carries, 15 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 7 receiving yards
• Tony Jones Jr.: 4 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD, 1 reception, 11 yards

• Albert Okwuegbunam: 7 receptions, 109 yards, 1 TD
• Brandon Johnson: 2 receptions, 58 yards
• Lil'Jordan Humphrey:4 receptions, 57 yards
• Marvin Mims: 2 receptions, 51 yards
• Josh Hammond: 1 reception, 3 yards, 1 TD

• Offensive Line: 2 sacks allowed

Defense:

• Seth Benson: 6 tackles (4 solo)
• Devon Key: 4 tackles (all solo)
• Drew Sanders: 4 tackles (all solo), 1 interception
• Thomas Incoom: 2 tackles (all solo), 1 sack
• Aaron Patrick: 1 tackle, 1 sack
• Essang Bassey: 1 interception

Special Teams:

• Brett Maher: 2/2 field goals, 5/5 extra points
• Riley Dixon: 1 punt, 60 yards
• Marvin Mims: 1 punt return, 19 yards

Now let's review the most important takeaways of the game ...

1. Jarrett Stidham, almost perfect in dominant first half:

After 17/32 completions/attempts, 180 yards, 0 touchdowns, and one interception in the first two preseason games (at AZ, at SF), the Broncos' backup quarterback had an almost perfect first-half performance against the Los Angeles Rams. Stidham played for two quarters against the Rams and led the offense to a 27-0 lead going into halftime.

Stidham had a huge first drive, going six for six completions/attempts, and finished the half with 236 passing yards, a 20-yard run, and a passing touchdown to Albert Okwuegbunam. Statistically, it was way better than the first two preseason games combined. Jarrett had three 20+ completions ... a 50-yard bomb to rookie Marvin Mims, a 49-completion to Brandon Johnson, and a 21-yarder to Lil'Jordan Humphrey.

2. Albert Okwuegbunam, Essang Bassey and Jaleel McLaughlin, with strong cases to make the 53-man roster:

Albert Okwuegbunam, a former fourth-round pick tight end out of Missouri, who was technically taken out of Nathaniel Hackett's system in 2022-23, a player who was listed as the 5th tight end in the depth chart ahead of preseason, and a trade/cut candidate for the Denver Broncos, the MVP for the Broncos against the Rams.

Okwuegbunam was targeted eight times, and had seven receptions for 109 yards (15.6 yards/reception), including a huge one-handed catch, and a touchdown. An impressive game for Albert O, who entered training camp in the roster bubble, and not only delivered against the Rams, but has been impressive in practice. He proved that he can be a very valuable weapon for Sean Payton's offense, now the big question ... will he make the 53-man roster? Including Albert in the final 53-man roster would make a lot of sense, but if a tight end needy team offers a decent compensation to the Broncos, I really could see them trading him.

Now, regarding the two other players mentioned in the headline, undrafted rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin had his third consecutive game with a touchdown. This time, against the Rams, he had his preseason best in rushing yards with 48. I personally think that Denver will have three running backs On the 53-man roster and despite Tyler Badie and Tony Jones Jr. having touchdowns in this game, I think that Jaleel should be the third one, behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.

Essang Bassey had an interception once again. He had an INT in every preseason game for the Broncos in 2023 and had a couple of good pass breakups too. He has been a good player for Denver so far in camp and preseason and has been making a name for himself to back up K'Waun Williams in the nickel, and make the 53-man roster.

3. Brett Maher perfect on both field goals and extra points once again:

Maybe it was the field conditions in Arizona, but after Elliott Fry got waived, Brett Maher has been perfect in both field goals and extra points. During the week, there was a buzz around the media, regarding the Broncos' kicking situation.

With the uncertainty at the position for the Broncos, It was reported that Denver could explore a trade for Pro Bowl kicker Will Lutz, a familiar face for head coach Sean Payton, who has an 86.4 career field goal percentage, or even explore the free agent kicker market, which has Robbie Gould, Mason Crosby, Matthew Wright, and others.

Maher went perfect against the 49ers, going 2/2 in both, field goals and extra points, and went perfect against the Rams in the preseason finale, with 2/2 field goals, and 5/5 extra points. His longest was a 46-yarder. Has he secured the Broncos' starting kicker job?

4. Lil'Jordan Humphrey making the roster? Hinton, Washington almost no chance to make it, and Callaway, who knows?

The Denver Broncos lost Tim Patrick for the year before training camp, and now lost breakout candidate Jerry Jeudy earlier in the week with a hamstring injury. Jeudy is expected to miss between one and three games. The injury looked bad, but an MRI revealed positive news for the young receiver.

With Jeudy out for a couple of weeks, and with the 53-man roster deadline, receivers on the roster bubble including Marquez Callaway, Montrell Washington, Kendall Hinton, and Lil'Jordan Humphrey needed to step up against the Rams. Callaway, who has played more time under Payton has been a disappointing player so far, and I would not be surprised if he ends up getting released on Tuesday's deadline.

Against the Rams, the receiver that stepped up the most, among the guys mentioned above, was Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who had four receptions for 57 yards. From the other three, combined, they had one reception, for 13 yards (Montrell Washington's catch). Following today's game, I think that the Broncos will definitely be aggressive on the waivers at the receiver position, especially with good players potentially being cut.

What were your overall thoughts on the Broncos' 41-0 preseason finale win against the Los Angeles Rams?

With the Broncos finishing their preseason, now the next one counts! Broncos vs. Raiders, 2023-24 NFL Season, Week 1, Sunday, September 10, 2023 ... but before that, the 53-man roster deadline. The Broncos, as well as the other 31 teams, must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players, and can bring back and/or sign 16 players to their practice squad, before Tuesday, August 29th, at 4:00 PM ET