Rams Limp Into Mile High With Backup QB and Short Rest

The Rams stagger into Denver on five days' rest with Stetson Bennett under center for just his second career start, and the altitude won't be doing them any favors. Los Angeles is averaging a putrid 17.5 points per game through two weeks, and now they're asking a backup to navigate Empower Field at Mile High against a Broncos defense that surrendered only 13 points in their home opener. Good luck with that.

Denver opened as a 2.5-point dog and the line has ticked down to +2, a subtle but telling move when there's no corresponding injury news. That's sharp money backing the home side, and the splits tell you why: the Broncos are 20-13 straight-up at home compared to a dismal 10-31 on the road. They protect this building. Meanwhile, the Rams are dragging cross-country on short rest with an offense that's already sputtering.

DarkHorse likes Denver +2 here with moderate confidence (3/5). The situational edge is glaring—rest disparity, altitude, backup quarterback chaos—and the market agrees. LA might have the brand name, but this is a classic spot to fade the short-week visitor and back the home dog getting points it probably shouldn't need.