DENVER, CO — Bo Nix scored on a quarterback keeper with 47 seconds remaining, and Talanoa Hufanga intercepted Matthew Stafford in the end zone on the final play to give the Denver Broncos a 30-26 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night.
The victory capped a wild final five minutes that featured a 66-yard interception return for a touchdown by Hufanga, a quick response from the Rams and Nix's game-winning drive.
Denver improved to 2-1 with its second consecutive second-half comeback. Los Angeles fell to 1-2.
After Nix put Denver ahead by reaching the ball over the goal line, Stafford drove the Rams to the Broncos' 14-yard line and spiked the ball with two seconds remaining.
A false-start penalty moved Los Angeles back to the 19. On the game's final play, Stafford threw to the end zone, where Hufanga secured his second interception to seal the victory.
Hufanga had given Denver its first lead of the game with 4:49 remaining. The safety jumped in front of running back Kyren Williams, intercepted Stafford's pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown to put the Broncos ahead 23-19.
Los Angeles needed just four plays to respond. Stafford connected with Konata Mumpfield for a 48-yard touchdown after Denver cornerback Riley Moss fell down, putting the Rams back in front 26-23.
Nix then led Denver 65 yards in 10 plays on the decisive possession. The drive included completions of 39 and 21 yards and was aided by three defensive penalties.
Los Angeles cornerback Justin Wallace appeared to record his second interception of the game during the drive, but he was called for defensive pass interference against Pat Bryant on third-and-6 from the Rams' 11-yard line.
The penalty gave Denver a first down at the 7, and Nix eventually scored from just outside the goal line.
Los Angeles controlled the first half, outgaining Denver by more than 200 yards and taking a 16-0 lead into halftime.
Stafford connected with Tyler Higbee for a 5-yard touchdown on the Rams' second possession, while Harrison Mevis made field goals from 36, 35 and 40 yards before halftime.
The Broncos responded in the second half.
Nix found Bryant for a 5-yard touchdown and connected with Jaylen Waddle on the ensuing two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 16-8.
Nix later threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Nate Adkins and connected with Bryant for another two-point conversion, tying the game at 16 entering the fourth quarter.
Mevis' fourth field goal put Los Angeles back in front 19-16 before Hufanga's interception return started the back-and-forth finish.
Stafford completed 30 of 55 passes for 390 yards. He attempted 32 passes in the first half, the most he has thrown in a first half during his career.
With Puca Nacua sidelined with a hip injury, Adams caught seven passes for 137 yards. He has 15 receptions for 332 yards over his past two games.
Los Angeles cornerback Jaylen Watson suffered a shoulder injury shortly before halftime and was carted from the sideline to the locker room. Tight end Colby Parkinson also suffered a shoulder injury, while Terrance Ferguson returned after leaving with an ankle injury.
Denver played without rookie running back Jonah Coleman, who was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. Running back R.J. Harvey was evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter and cleared to return.
The Rams will visit Philadelphia next Sunday. The Broncos will travel to San Francisco.
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