Rams vs. Broncos: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 Preseason

The Denver Broncos entered Saturday night's preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams seeking clarity at quarterback, and they may have finally gained some thanks to a strong performance by Trevor Siemian in a 17-9 win at Sports Authority Field.

Siemian, who played the entire first half for the reigning Super Bowl champions, started inauspiciously with an interception, but he rebounded in style.

After failing to tally points in the first quarter, he led the Broncos on a seven-play, 67-yard drive that ended with the former seventh-round pick lofting a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Virgil Green.

As 9News' Mike Klis noted, that score may have cemented Siemian's place in the starting lineup come Week 1 of the regular season:

From there, Siemian appeared poised as he worked the pocket.

The second-year pro tossed a gorgeous pass to No. 1 receiver Demaryius Thomas as the first half neared its conclusion, and the superstar pass-catcher made the most of the opportunity with a sensational one-handed grab, as the NFL documented on Twitter: 

By the time Siemian's night came to a close, he had completed 10 of 17 passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception while leading two scoring drives to give the Broncos a 10-9 lead at the break.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport believed Siemian did enough to make head coach Gary Kubiak's decision easier:

Rookie Paxton Lynch was the second man up for the Broncos, and his stock held steady with a showing that saw him complete six of 13 passes for 57 yards. He also led an eight-play, 41-yard drive in the third quarter that ended with a seven-yard Ronnie Hillman (five carries, 45 yards) touchdown run.

Given the way Lynch has looked as the summer has progressed, journeyman signal-caller Mark Sanchez's status as the Broncos' backup could be in jeopardy after he failed to see the field Saturday night. 

Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post noted Week 4 of the preseason could determine how the depth chart shakes out:

The Rams, meanwhile, received mixed quarterbacking efforts from starter Case Keenum and 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick Jared Goff.

Keenum was solid with 77 yards, no touchdowns and no picks on 8-of-12 passing, but Goff was pressured throughout his stint and mustered a meager 45 yards on 4-of-12 passing before Sean Mannion relieved him in the third quarter. 

The former California Bears darling was hurt by several drops from his receivers, but CBS Sports' Benjamin Allbright noted Goff was also off his game against Denver's vaunted defense: 

With running back Todd Gurley resting, the Rams didn't have much to write home about on offense. 

Tight end Lance Kendricks showed up with three catches for 36 yards, and No. 2 running back Benny Cunningham managed 22 yards on six carries. But head coach Jeff Fisher's attack was anything but potent.

Then again, it was difficult for Los Angeles' offense to make headway when Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller was breathing down its neck from the start, via the NFL:

Despite the spotty struggles, L.A. can use Saturday's contest as a growing experience and litmus test as it prepares for a winnable Week 1 showdown on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers. 

The Broncos will also be in position to start off their regular-season slate with a win when they host the Carolina Panthers in a Super Bowl rematch Sept. 8, but they will need another brilliant defensive display to slow down Cam Newton as they hand the reins over to a new quarterback. 

The transition may not be seamless—especially since neither Siemian nor Lynch has thrown a pass in a regular-season game—but the Broncos' deep, seasoned roster should help compensate for their starting quarterback's inexperience. 

Postgame Reaction

According to the Denver Post's Nicki Jhabvala, Kubiak disclosed that he hopes to announce his starting quarterback sometime next week: 

When asked about how Siemian has developed, Kubiak told reporters he sees "a guy getting better," per Jhabvala. 

With regard to Sanchez, ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the Broncos could be tempted to cut him since it would free up some valuable cap space: 

On the defensive side of the ball, Miller discussed his mindset entering the 2016 season, per the team's official Twitter account: 

As for the Rams, Fisher didn't seem overly impressed by what Goff brought to the table on Saturday, per Myles Simmons of the team's official website: 

Fisher also told reporters there's a "good chance" Gurley will also sit out Los Angeles' preseason finale on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Simmons.