Sunday set the stage for the events that followed on Monday. The Broncos were in L.A. on Sunday to face the Rams. L.A., who recently picked up quarterback (QB) Baker Mayfield from the Panthers after losing Matthew Stafford to a spinal cord contusion were coming off a loss to the Green Bay Packers last Monday night in Green Bay.
Mayfield’s debuted with the Rams in their win over the Las Vegas Raiders the previous week. In Mayfield’s third game as the Rams starting QB, he would face one of the league’s top defenses, however; it was clear that Denver’s defense wasn’t prepared for what Mayfield and the Rams had to offer.
Within the first ten minutes of the game the Rams managed to score a field goal, and two touchdowns resulting from two interceptions thrown by Russell Wilson on Denver’s first two possessions. Down 17 – 0 the Broncos finally moved the ball far enough into Rams territory for a Brandon McManus 54-yard field goal.
By halftime the Broncos were down 31 – 6 with no signs of the offense rebounding from a first half blowout. The second half was just more of the same as L.A. added 20 more points compared to Denver’s late fourth quarter touchdown and two-point-conversion.
The Broncos were handed their largest defeat since their loss to the Buffalo Bills in 2020 48-19.
It was clear that the Denver Broncos were completely unprepared and out-coached in their humiliating loss on Sunday because Denver’s ownership announced on Monday that the organization would be parting ways with Coach Nathaniel Hackett in a statement from Owner/CEO Greg Penner. “Following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new directions would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos,” Penner stated.
With Hackett out many believe that the Penner led coaching search will likely lead to an attempt at getting for- mer Saints coach, Sean Payton to come to Denver. While it’s still early and a decision will likely not be made until deep into the off season, Broncos fans are somewhat relieved that ownership has stepped in and finally made a decision after a dismal 2022 season.
Shortly after Hackett’s firing the Broncos also parted ways with special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry. The man called out of retirement to help Hackett in the first half of the season with clock management, Jerry Rosburg will now take the reigns as interim coach for the remainder of the season.
In other sports the Denver Nuggets moved to the top of the Western Conference after defeating the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at Ball Arena. Nuggets Center and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic recorded his seventh triple double of the season in Denver’s win with 41 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds. Denver forward Aaron Gordon also had a big night with 28 points 13 rebounds and 2 assists along with what many are calling the dunk-of-the-year, when the 6,9 forward glided over Suns guard, Landry Shamet in overtime, to help seal the win, 128 – 125.
