The Denver Broncos just snatched a tough Week 2 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that sweet taste of success could turn sour fast. Their next opponent, the Los Angeles Rams, just put up a decisive win against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. This is a gridiron gauntlet early in the season, and if the Broncos want a primetime win on Sunday night, they have to figure out how to slow down a revitalized Matthew Stafford.
Matthew Stafford: The 46-Touchdown Problem
Seriously, this guy is a problem. Matthew Stafford, at 38 years old and in his eighteenth NFL season, is showing no signs of slowing down. Believe it or not, the Broncos have only faced him twice in his entire career, both times when he was with the Detroit Lions. And last season, in 2025, Stafford had a career year for the ages. He topped the entire NFL with 4,707 passing yards and threw a staggering 46 touchdowns! That season earned him a Pro-Bowl nod, first-team All-Pro honors, and the first MVP award of his historic career. Yeah, he had a rough Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, but he absolutely shredded the Giants in Week 2, going 22-of-31 for 327 yards, four touchdowns, and only one interception. Denver Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph put together a tremendous gameplan to combat Trevor Lawrence and that Jaguars offense. He and his players are going to need to execute at an even higher level this Sunday. To make things even harder, Stafford’s star receiver, Puka Nacua, missed that MNF game. If Nacua is back for Sunday Night Football, that task for Joseph’s defense just got ten times tougher.
Can Jonah Coleman’s Legs Lead the Way?
While the defense is sweating over Stafford, the Broncos’ offense needs to keep their commitment to the run game. It wasn’t pretty against the Jaguars, but they did manage to top the 100-yard mark on the ground. They did that without RJ Harvey, who was out with a hamstring injury, and J.K. Dobbins, who missed most of the second half. That’s when rookie running back Jonah Coleman, a fourth-round pick, stepped up huge. He made several key runs late in the game, including the go-ahead touchdown that sealed the victory. The kid showed incredible patience, vision, and a nose for the endzone in his limited touches. Head Coach Sean Payton sounded optimistic about Harvey or Dobbins suiting up this Sunday, but regardless, Offensive Coordinator Davis Webb needs to lean on the ground game. The good news for Denver? The Rams’ defensive front will be without Myles Garrett. Los Angeles also struggled against the 49ers’ rushing attack in Week 1, giving up 174 yards on the ground. While they clamped down against the Giants, allowing just 52 yards, the Broncos found a lot of success in heavier personnel and running the ball under center in the second half against Jacksonville. Webb has to see more of that.
This Sunday Night Football matchup is going to be a real test for Denver. Can Vance Joseph’s defense contain the MVP-caliber arm of Matthew Stafford, or will Davis Webb’s commitment to the run, led by rookie Jonah Coleman, prove to be the difference-maker? It’s going to be a fight, and what happens will set the tone for the Broncos’ early season run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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