![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/new-york-giants-v-los-angeles-rams-inglewood-california-september-21-41-e1790527374805.jpg\")
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The Broncos are well aware of how goo Rams QB Matthew Stafford is.<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s matchup has been a long time coming for Los Angeles Rams<\/a> quarterback Matthew Stafford,<\/p>\n The Denver Broncos<\/a> are well aware of who they are facing on \u201cSunday Night Football.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a big-time talent,\u2019\u2019 Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said, per the Denver Gazette\u2019s Chris Tomasson<\/a> on September 26. \u201cHe\u2019s probably the greatest thrower of the football, you can make argument, that we\u2019ve seen. It\u2019s going to be a big-time challenge for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Bonitto noted that Stafford does not drop back too deep in the pocket, emphasizing the need to get pressure on the reigning MVP to make him aware of their presence.<\/p>\n Teammate Zach Allen noted that they can affect Stafford in other ways, too.<\/p>\n \u201cStafford\u2019s timing to throw is as good as anyone in the league,\u2019\u2019 Allen, an All-Pro defensive lineman, told Tomasson ahead of the matchup. \u201cIf we can tip a ball or just force an errant throw, that\u2019s still very valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n Matthew Stafford Returns to Denver for First Time Since 2011<\/p>\n Tomasson also noted that this is Stafford\u2019s first trip to Denver since the 2011 season, when the now-Rams star was with the Detroit Lions<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cStafford, in his sixth season with the Rams and 18th overall in the NFL<\/a>, last played at Empower Field on that day for Detroit. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns in a resounding 45-10 win by the Lions over the #Broncos,\u201d Tomasson said in a post<\/a> on X on September 27.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be his third overall appearance against the Broncos, the other being a 24-12 home loss at Detroit on Sept. 27, 2015, when he completed 31 of 45 passes for 282 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.\u201d<\/p>\n Stafford will look to get back in the win column against the Broncos in Week 4.<\/p>\n He will have to do it short-handed, though, with No. 1 wide receiver joining star defensive end Myles Garrett in dealing with an injury that will sideline him for this game and, possibly, longer.<\/p>\n Matthew Stafford, Rams Get Ominous Injury Updates<\/p>\n The Rams have not been very forthcoming with information regarding Nacua\u2019s current ailment, leading to speculation around both the nature and severity of the issue. They have maintained that it is short-term, but surgery also remains a possibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n Garrett\u2019s timeline is now expected to skew<\/a> closer to the previously reported six-week mark<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Stafford will lean on Davante Adams at wide receiver, but the Rams need someone else to take pressure off the veteran.<\/p>\n That does not mean it will be a wide receiver, though. The Rams entered the 2026 season with a lot of optimism around second-year second-round pick Terrance Ferguson and his ability as a playmaker in the passing attack.<\/p>\n He is obviously not the same kind of player or threat that Nacua is.<\/p>\n Still, Ferguson is capable of operating in a similar fashion in terms of being a bigger-bodied threat from the slot.<\/p>\n The Rams still have veteran tight ends Colby Parkinson\u2013who is questionable for this contest after not practicing all week due to a knee injury\u2013and Super Bowl champion Tyler Higbee as more traditional tight end options.<\/p>\n That just frees Ferguson up to be a weapon for Stafford and the Rams.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \t