Don’t expect a repeat performance from Davante Adams
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Davante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after winning the game against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on September 21, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesDavante Adams gashed the New York Giants last week with eight catches, 195 yards, and two scores.
The Los Angeles Rams travel to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Fans and fantasy football owners are likely still riding the high from Adams' big night; however, we should not expect a repeat performance.
The first reason to be pessimistic on Adams' opportunity to put up big numbers is the matchup he will face in Patrick Surtain. Puka Nacua is doubtful to play Sunday night. That allows Surtain to be narrowly focused on slowing down Adams. While Trent McDuffie is making the debate difficult, Surtain still has the strongest case as the NFL's best shutdown corner.
Then if we pop the hood there are advanced metrics that suggest Adams could be in for a long night even if Nacua was healthy and in the lineup.
Adams has been one of the best separators in all of football through the first two weeks of the season, according to FantasyPoints data, it doesn't seem to matter whether Adams faces man or zone coverage. He's going to get open.
More ASS data! Average Separation Score versus Man & Zone Coverages
- Kyle (@KyleM_FF) September 24, 2026
- Josh Downs, Parker Washington, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks in the top right is a thing of beauty
For those of you wondering whether ASS is predictive, it is in itself, and when combined with a... pic.twitter.com/dIfeg3PDdT
But while Adams is averaging 11.1 yards per target against cover one (man coverage with single high safety), the Broncos with Surtain are allowing just 4.9 yards per target. Surtain isn't the only threat in Denver's secondary. Riley Moss is severely underappreciated and the Broncos have been better than expected with their slot players.
The signs are pointing towards Adams facing an uphill battle on Sunday night. With the Rams' passing game underperforming through two weeks and with Nacua likely out, LA needs surprise contributors from lower on the depth chart.
Who is most likely to step up to take the burden off Adams' shoulders?
Terrance Ferguson, TE
Ferguson had his coming out party last week against the Giants. Matthew Stafford targeted the second-year tight end nine times, resulting in six receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. It was the most significant workload of Ferguson's career so far.
Ferguson is the key to unlocking the Rams' 13 personnel package. He's not a good enough run blocker to put on the field in 11 or 12 personnel. 13 allows LA to threaten in the run game while Ferguson effectively functions as a receiver who is primarily a vertical threat.
He's McVay's ace up his sleeve that hasn't been fully tapped into. Ferguson may be able to catch Denver by surprise yet.
Jordan Whittington, WR
Whittington is Nacua's primary backup, but they both missed Week 2. I'd expect Whittington to significantly eat into the workloads of Konata Mumpfield and Tutu Atwell. The third-year receiver is best with the ball in his hands. He can do damage after the catch point.
Whittington has been productive when given the opportunity-he's just usually stuck behind Nacua on the depth chart. I'd expect a relatively high volume of touches for him on Sunday night.
The running game
According to SumerSports, the Broncos are currently allowing 5.08 yards per carry which is the third-worst mark in the NFL ahead of only the Panthers and Colts. Denver has allowed seven 10+-yard runs while only stuffing nine rushes. The Broncos are averaging 0.13 EPA per rush, which also ranks third-worst.
Inversely, on offense the Rams are averaging an impressive 5.0 yards per carry which is good for 10th. LA doesn't have the volume or scoring production in order to register in a positive way on an EPA basis, although it's early and the touchdowns can come in bunches.
The Rams could easily be a run-first offense on Sunday night. Victory might run through Kyren Williams and Blake Corum rather than via the air attack.