Rams-Broncos: Los Angeles falls 17-12 to Denver in final preseason game
DENVER (KABC) -- With most of their starters off the field, the Rams closed out the preseason with a 17-12 loss to the Broncos on Saturday in Denver.
The Rams, who went 0-3 in the preseason with a consistent strategy of protecting starters, scored only off four field goals from Matt Gay. It was the first time since 2015 they went winless in the preseason.
Rams coach Sean McVay started Bryce Perkins at quarterback as he continued to evaluate players still fighting for roster spots.
Perkins was the Rams' leading rusher with 50 yards off nine carries, but couldn't engineer a scoring drive in the fourth quarter to overtake Denver.
Perkins threw for 201 yards off 23-for-42 passing. He was sacked twice.
Denver opened up a 17-12 lead in the third quarter and the defense protected it through the fourth.
The Denver defense, which has not allowed a touchdown in the preseason, maintained its perfect record by knocking down an end zone toss by Perkins at the 0:10 mark in the fourth quarter. A second attempt by Perkins from the 15-yard line hit the ground in the end zone and a third try was overthrown.
The Broncos scored on throws from Teddy Bridgewater - recently named the team's starting quarterback - and Drew Lock who competed throughout preseason for the slot. Brandon McManus knocked in a 54-yard field goal in the first quarter for Denver.
Denver finished the preseason 3-0, allowing just seven field goals and outscoring opponents 80-21.
A bright spot for the Rams was special teams, especially Corey Bojorquez, who had punts of 67 and 70 yards that were misplayed by Kendall Hinton and twice pinned the Broncos at their 1.
The first came when Brycen Hopkins grabbed the bouncing ball just before it went into the end zone for a touchback and flipped it back to Chris Garrett. The ball deflected off his hands and Rozeboom grabbed it at the 1.
The other time was when Hinton allowed the 70-yard punt to sail past him out of bounds just shy of the goal line.
The Rams open the regular season on Sept. 12, hosting the Chicago Bears at Sofi Stadium. This will be the first regular-season game with fans at Sofi, which opened last year during the pandemic.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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