MATTHEW STAFFORD TD PASS GIVES RAMS EARLY LEAD OVER BRONCOS

Matthew Stafford threw a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Higbee to put the Los Angeles Rams ahead 7-0 against the Denver Broncos, with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter, according to NBC Sports. The score completed an 11-play, 63-yard drive during the Sunday night fixture in Denver. The game marked the Rams' Week 3 matchup, coming after a 28-6 win over the New York Giants, according to EssentiallySports. That outlet reported that Rams coaching staff had flagged crowd noise at the Denver stadium as a potential communication challenge before kick-off, and reported that Stafford encountered difficulties during the game as a result.

On the scoring drive, Davante Adams caught his first pass of the game for a 22-yard gain, moving Los Angeles into Denver territory. Kyren Williams then converted fourth-and-4 with a six-yard reception, a call the Broncos challenged; the ruling was upheld, giving the Rams a first down at the Denver 29-yard line. Stafford kept the drive alive with a nine-yard scramble on third-and-7 down to the Denver 5, before finding Higbee for the touchdown a play later.

The Rams faced tight end injuries during the drive, according to NBC Sports. Terrance Ferguson, who had been managing an ankle injury during the week, left the field after pulling up before an incompletion on third-and-4 and was taken for an X-ray, NBC's Melissa Stark reported; he was later listed as questionable to return. Fellow tight end Colby Parkinson also exited after an incompletion on first-and-goal from the 5-yard line. With receiver Puka Nacua already out injured, the Rams dressed four receivers and five tight ends for the game and used multiple tight end formations.