Why Broncos Must Stick With Run Game Against Aaron Donald's Rams

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle accelerated their connection something fierce in Week 2.

Waddle’s eight-catch, 138-yard day in his home debut helped steer Denver past the Jacksonville Jaguars while leaving some national analysts calling him the Broncos’ most important offensive piece.

Hard to fathom after Waddle’s one-catch, two-yard performance in the season opener, some six months after arriving in a blockbuster deal with Miami.

Waddle may continue to shine, but it’s equally essential that the Broncos value their running game during a Sunday night showdown with the visiting Los Angeles Rams. Even as J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey work to find their footing, Denver can’t abandon ship.

The Broncos faced an ominous injury report in their running back room at midweek. Three of the team’s four players at the position were either limited in practice Wednesday or out.

That included Dobbins, who departed in the third quarter of the Jacksonville game with a hamstring injury, and RJ Harvey, whose Week 1 hamstring ailment sidelined him for Week 2.

Still, Broncos coach Sean Payton stayed firm.

“I think we’re good at that position. … I think we’re going to be all right,” he said.

Payton’s premonition held up with his typical coyness, as Dobbins and Harvey both were full participants in practice Thursday and Friday. Rookie Jonah Coleman won’t play against the Rams with an ankle injury, but Denver’s overall health at running back bolsters its chances given how the LA defense aims to operate.

“They want to pin their ears back … and come attack your quarterback,” analyst and Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe said during a recent episode of his Nightcap podcast. “If you cannot run the ball on them, you cannot beat the Rams. You have got to make them catch.”

Hyped as a superteam and Super Bowl favorite entering the season, the Rams aren’t yet at their glitziest. Wide receiver Puka Nacua is doubtful with an injured hip and pass rusher Myles Garrett (knee) remains on injured reserve.

The defensive front welcomed the debut of former All-Pro Aaron Donald in Week 2, and his retirement reversal will garner plenty of chatter and attention as the season progresses. Donald contributed three tackles, one for loss, in his first action since a January 2024 playoff game to help the Rams stifle the visiting New York Giants on Monday night.

With Donald drawing consistent double-teams, the rest of the Rams could go after Giants quarterback Jameis Winston, rattling him with a pair of sacks and eight QB hits.

Naturally, New York faced an uphill climb after starter Jaxson Dart left with a first-quarter knee injury. An early deficit kept the Giants mostly one-dimensional; they rushed just 21 times for 52 yards.

A Rams defense with much of the same star power yielded 5.8 yards per carry in a season-opening loss to San Francisco in Australia. The ‘D’ lacked Donald then, and the Broncos certainly realize he’s back.

“It’s exciting to play the greats. It always is,” Nix said. “He’s a really good football player, and he’s going to provide a challenge that we haven’t necessarily faced before. He’s literally one of the best at his position of all time.

“We just have to limit the time he’s dominant.”

Staying patient with Dobbins and Harvey can do the trick while keeping LA guessing. Commit to the run game, Broncos, and things will be all right.