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Christmas time is often one for reflection, and as we enter Week 16 with what was once thought of as being an excellent game – it’s unfortunate to see how far both the Rams and Broncos have fallen here in 2022.
Both teams opened the season as likely Super Bowl hopefuls, but both sides enter Week 16 merely playing out the stretch, with only pride on the line. Injuries and ineffectiveness have ravaged both camps entering this game, and a Christmas matchup of a mediocre Russell Wilson and a passed-around Baker Mayfield isn’t exactly inspiring that much holiday spirit.
Los Angeles has been torn apart by injuries, losing both Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp mid-way through their season. Their offensive line is banged up badly, and Mayfield might find it tough acclimating to a new offense with such little protection.
Sean McVay was humbled this season but is committed to righting the ship next season. 🐏 pic.twitter.com/ulXLqTyxcZ
— theScore (@theScore) December 20, 2022
For the Broncos, while they remain relatively healthy – they just have been terrible on offense. Russell Wilson isn’t the QB he used to be, and a new coaching staff has looked lost at times. While their defense remains pretty great, this offensive group is certainly not helping the team, and will undergo heavy re-evaluation in the off-season.
Now Rams’ C Brian Allen and WR Ben Skowronek are out for the rest of season with calf strains, per HC Sean McVay.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2022
Despite the lofty expectations, both teams will be keen on playing out the season with pride and emphasis, as jobs are very much on the line. And while this game does project to be an ‘ugly’ one, especially after the Green Bay/Miami match, there’s still money to be had on Christmas Day! For further insight on this battle between basement dwellers, continue reading on beneath the posted odds for a full matchup preview, trends, and the latest information to help you make an informed decision for Week 16’s Rams vs. Broncos Christmas afternoon showdown!
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams Live Odds & Betting History
Betting odds provided by BOVADA
| TEAMS | BRONCOS | RAMS |
| MONEYLINE | -170 | +150 |
| SPREAD | -3 (-110) | +3 (-110) |
| TOTAL | Over 36.5 (-110) | Under 36.5 (-110) |
| TEAM DATA | BRONCOS | RAMS |
| Overall Record | 4-10 | 4-10 |
| ATS Record | 6-8-0 | 4-9-1 |
| Home/Away Record | 2-5 | 2-5 |
| Points Per Game | 15.3 | 16.3 |
| Points Against Per Game | 18.0 | 22.7 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 209.8 | 189.2 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 106.2 | 85.9 |
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams Prediction
Expect some ugly football that will make you want to look away on this festive Christmas Day, and perhaps even make you want to talk to your in-laws!
Despite adding Russell Wilson, the Broncos’ offense has been the worst in the league here in 2022, and though we still feel there’s talent there, it hasn’t worked all that well for him in this new set-up. Last week Wilson was battling a concussion and sat out, but all indications are that he will return to the Denver lineup here in Week 16.
Since Week 13, Jerry Jeudy has a catch rate of 90.5%, which is the best in the NFL.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) December 24, 2022
Los Angeles has been brutal this year at generating pressure, even with Aaron Donald – who projects to miss out on this contest. That should allow Wilson more time to survey downfield, though whether or not that results in increased success remains to be seen. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton are top quality receivers, and that is a tandem that should be able to win their matchups.
For the Rams, Baker Mayfield quickly came back to Earth in a big way with his new team on Monday in Green Bay. Mayfield was swarmed from the outset, and couldn’t handle the pressure all that well. The same errors he made in Carolina lingered to his new Rams uniform, and the Broncos will represent his stiffest test yet. Denver is a top-10 defense, and don’t give up much on the ground, or through the air. They’ll bully the Rams’ offensive line in the trenches, and should force all kinds of miscues from the washed-up Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield is back! pic.twitter.com/Ifv88Pv16b
— CamFrom🇨🇦 (@camfromcanada3) December 20, 2022
Broncos vs. Rams Trends To Know:
- Broncos are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games on fieldturf.
- Rams are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Russell Wilson is 30-14 ATS as an underdog.
- Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
The Rams can’t do much of anything right on either side of the ball, whereas at least the Broncos can get stops and play defense at a high-level. With Wilson, Jeudy, and Sutton – the talent still exists to move the chains against a pedestrian Los Angeles stop unit, and expect the Broncos to do just enough to cover this number in a low-scoring Christmas Day encounter.
