Broncos vs. Rams third quarter recap

DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with teammate Jaylen Waddle #17 after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Empower Field At Mile High on September 27, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Denver Broncos got the ball back to start the third quarter, but it certainly felt like the game was already slipping away with the Los Angeles Rams up 16-0 and dominant in all phases of the game in the first half. The stats back it up as Denver is 5-95-1 when trailing by 15 or more points at halftime.

The Broncos are 5-95-1 all-time when trailing by at least 15 points at halftime.

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 28, 2026Bo Nix and the Broncos started off their next drive with an inside run with J.K. Dobbins that picked up six yards. Nix then went deep to Jaylen Waddle and had the pass nearly picked off again. The safety was not fooled and easily got in position to potentially make that play. On third and four, Nix was pressured and threw another errant pass for the quick three-and-out.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Fortunately, the Broncos defense forced their own three-and-out and Kolbe Katsis made a big punt return back to the Rams’ 40 yard line to set Denver up with a chance to do something. Whether or not they would was the big question of the evening.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Like their last drive, Dobbins opened up with a six yard gain and then followed up with another that gained two. On third and two, they ran it AGAIN and actually picked up the first down and suddenly it seemed like light came back on at the end of the tunnel that was this game.

class="wp-block-paragraph">An incompletion and then a rollout pass to RJ Harvey would pick up nine yards to bring up third and one where Nix would sneak it for the first down to setup a red zone opportunity. The drive was on the cusp of ending from there, but Nix would hit Courtland Sutton on third and long for the first down with a personal foul added to setup a first and goal from the six yard line.

Courtland Sutton with a big 1st down pic.twitter.com/4kvJzgzQz9

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 28, 2026Three plays later on third and goal, Nix would finally find an open man in Pat Bryant for the touchdown in the back corner of the end zone for Denver’s first score of the night.

TOUCHDOWN PAT BRYANT pic.twitter.com/NwhfivF9mo

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 28, 2026Nix would then hit Jaylen Waddle in the same spot for the two-point conversion to cut the lead to eight points.

WADDLE WITH AN EXCELLENT CATCH FOR 2 POINTS! 🐧 pic.twitter.com/BNsmvMkrR1

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 28, 2026Rams 16, Broncos 8.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Que Robinson made a big hit on the kickoff that got the crowd really into it after the touchdown, but the defense immediately missed several tackles on Kyren Williams to give up a first down after two carries. They would tighten up after forcing offensive holding and ultimately forcing the punt to get the ball back for Denver who suddenly was showing life in the second half.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Getting the ball back at their own 48 yard line due to an ugly punt, the Broncos had good field position again for their next drive.

class="wp-block-paragraph">J.K. Dobbins would fumble on a carry, but the ball bounced right to Pay Bryant who grabbed it and ran another nine yards. The luck seemed with Denver.

Dobbins fumbles but Bryant picks it up and gains extra yards pic.twitter.com/5RkwIlXEAJ

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 28, 2026Then an end around to Jaylen Waddle juked the first defender and streaked for the first down to get the inside the red zone. Two plays later Nix found Tyler Badie over the middle of the field for another first down to the Rams 8 yard line. Nix would find Nate Adkins open at the goal line for the easy pitch and catch touchdown to put the Broncos right back in the game.

TE TD 🙌

📺: @SNFonNBCpic.twitter.com/oVIhkoUvgA

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 28, 2026On the two-point conversion, the play looked busted but Nix threw it to a well-covered Pat Bryant anyway. Bryant would just manhandle his way to the point of the ball and snagged it out of the air for the tie game.

PAT BRYANT MAKES IT A TIE GAME!! pic.twitter.com/a2jJd4JTuF

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) September 28, 2026Broncos 16, Rams 16.

class="wp-block-paragraph">The pressure was suddenly back on Matthew Stafford and the Rams. They would convert a first down to start their drive, but Zach Allen would blow up a play and sack Stafford for a huge loss to close out the third quarter.