​Rams most to blame for painful Week 3 SNF loss to Broncos appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Los Angeles Rams did not simply lose Sunday night. They let a winnable game slip away in quite a painful fashion. Against the Denver Broncos, the Rams watched a 20-17 lead evaporate in the high-altitude pressure cooker. Los Angeles fell 24-20 and dropped to 1-2. The defeat was especially frustrating because Los Angeles had enough opportunities to finish the job. Matthew Stafford and the offense moved the ball early. Aaron Donald created disruption inside. The Rams repeatedly appeared to have Denver on the ropes. When the game entered its decisive stages, though, the execution disappeared. The Broncos found answers, while Los Angeles supplied too many of its own problems. That was what made this loss sting so badly.Promising start, brutal collapseGary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesAfter an explosive opening half where Stafford distributed the football with precision to move the chains, the Rams’ offensive machine sputtered into total disarray after halftime. Denver’s defense dialed up relentless pressure. They suffocated the run game by bottling up Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in short-yardage situations. Defensively, Donald provided his customary disruption and commanded multi-man blocking attention on the interior. However, the absence of marquee edge rusher Myles Garrett loomed large as the Broncos extended critical third downs through off-schedule scrambles and quick perimeter strikes. Costly pre-snap penalties and an absolute drought of offensive rhythm across the final two quarters left the Rams gasping for air. The loss also continued a difficult early-season stretch in which Los Angeles has now opened with three consecutive prime-time games.QB Matthew StaffordWhen evaluating the primary culprits behind this stinging setback, the fingers ultimately point toward the franchise quarterback. This was not Stafford at his best when the Rams needed him most.Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Denver’s pressure gradually compressed the pocket. Stafford struggled to consistently find clean throwing platforms once the Broncos increased the heat. He became increasingly aggressive in situations where patience was required. The fourth-quarter interception was particularly damaging. It ended a possession with Los Angeles needing to protect its advantage and gave Denver the field position and momentum necessary to complete its comeback.That is the frustrating part for the Rams. Stafford has earned the benefit of the doubt because he has repeatedly delivered in enormous moments. He entered the season as the reigning MVP and had just thrown four touchdowns against New York. However, greatness comes with accountability. In a one-score road game against a quality opponent, the quarterback cannot afford to hand the opposition a late lifeline.Coach Sean McVayMcVay also deserves significant blame for allowin