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Mason runs it up against league's top run defense
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_1d420ca1-54e1-516a-8639-7bde13444bfc.html
Tre Mason never backs down from a challenge, and the rookie running back was more than up to the challenge against the Denver Broncos.
His first 100-yard rushing game in the NFL, 113 yards on 29 carries, just happened to come against the league’s top-ranked rushing defense.
“That’s how you have to beat this team,” coach Jeff Fisher said after his Rams stunned Denver 22-7 before a season-high crowd of 59,401 at the Edward Jones Dome.
So how did Mason do it?
“Prayers go up, blessings come down,” Mason said.
And yards pile up.
Denver (7-3) had been yielding only 67 yards a game on the ground entering Sunday’s game. But Mason said Denver’s credentials only served to motivate him.
“Oh, of course,” he said. “Every time. That’s been me since high school. When they’re ranked No. 1, that’s when I’ve gotta play good. I love to play big in the big games.”
The Denver defense had allowed only 11 runs of 10 yards or more all season, but Mason had four such runs Sunday: two for 10 yards, one for 15 yards, and a 27-yard gain that was the Rams’ second-longest run of the season.
The first 10-yard gain came on the game’s opening possession, which ended in a Greg Zuerlein field goal. The 27-yard carry in the third quarter got the Rams in position for Zuerlein’s third field goal of the day as they took a 16-7 lead.
Mason made sure to praise his offensive line in the locker room.
“I could say this every week, and this should go for every running back,” Mason said. “Without those guys up front, any stat that we have is impossible. I love those guys.”
The feeling is mutual.
“He has a bright future here,” right guard Davin Joseph said. “He should be here for a very, very long time. Along with Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold, the entire line. Those guys are out there really blocking hard and making things happen.”
Over the course of the game, the Denver defense stopped Mason plenty of times for minimal gains or no gain. But the Rams stayed committed to the run, with a season high 33 carries good for a league-high 131 yards.
“You chip away 1, 2, 3 yards, and then you get one of those 6-, 7-yard runs,” center Scott Wells said.
Or one of those 10-, 15- or 27-yard runs.
“And it opened up plays in the passing game as well,” Wells said. “So it was a good game plan.”
GREG THE LEG
Since kicking four field goals in a 19-17 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 2, Zuerlein has had a quiet season. But the Rams’ place-kicker made his presence felt against Denver, kicking a career-best five field goals. Those 15 points spelled the difference in a 15-point Rams victory.
Zuerlein got his leg warmed up with three shorter kicks in the opening three quarters, making field goals of 37, 29 and 22 yards. Then came two long-range boots in the fourth quarter, from 55 and 53 yards to give the Rams some breathing room.
“It’s just nice getting into a rhythm early on, and then feeling confident throughout the game,” Zuerlein said.
RAM-BLINGS
With Denver in so many three-receiver sets and safety Mark Barron being used in some packages, strong side linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar did not see action Sunday. Dunbar has been bothered by a toe injury.
• After seeing some action on special teams last week in Arizona, running back Zac Stacy did not play. He has not had a carry since Oct. 26 in Kansas City.
• WR Damian Williams, CB Lamarcus Joyner, CB Marcus Roberson, LB Daren Bates, OG Brandon Washington, TE Alex Bayer and DT Alex Carrington were inactive for the Rams.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_1d420ca1-54e1-516a-8639-7bde13444bfc.html
Tre Mason never backs down from a challenge, and the rookie running back was more than up to the challenge against the Denver Broncos.
His first 100-yard rushing game in the NFL, 113 yards on 29 carries, just happened to come against the league’s top-ranked rushing defense.
“That’s how you have to beat this team,” coach Jeff Fisher said after his Rams stunned Denver 22-7 before a season-high crowd of 59,401 at the Edward Jones Dome.
So how did Mason do it?
“Prayers go up, blessings come down,” Mason said.
And yards pile up.
Denver (7-3) had been yielding only 67 yards a game on the ground entering Sunday’s game. But Mason said Denver’s credentials only served to motivate him.
“Oh, of course,” he said. “Every time. That’s been me since high school. When they’re ranked No. 1, that’s when I’ve gotta play good. I love to play big in the big games.”
The Denver defense had allowed only 11 runs of 10 yards or more all season, but Mason had four such runs Sunday: two for 10 yards, one for 15 yards, and a 27-yard gain that was the Rams’ second-longest run of the season.
The first 10-yard gain came on the game’s opening possession, which ended in a Greg Zuerlein field goal. The 27-yard carry in the third quarter got the Rams in position for Zuerlein’s third field goal of the day as they took a 16-7 lead.
Mason made sure to praise his offensive line in the locker room.
“I could say this every week, and this should go for every running back,” Mason said. “Without those guys up front, any stat that we have is impossible. I love those guys.”
The feeling is mutual.
“He has a bright future here,” right guard Davin Joseph said. “He should be here for a very, very long time. Along with Greg Robinson, Rodger Saffold, the entire line. Those guys are out there really blocking hard and making things happen.”
Over the course of the game, the Denver defense stopped Mason plenty of times for minimal gains or no gain. But the Rams stayed committed to the run, with a season high 33 carries good for a league-high 131 yards.
“You chip away 1, 2, 3 yards, and then you get one of those 6-, 7-yard runs,” center Scott Wells said.
Or one of those 10-, 15- or 27-yard runs.
“And it opened up plays in the passing game as well,” Wells said. “So it was a good game plan.”
GREG THE LEG
Since kicking four field goals in a 19-17 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 2, Zuerlein has had a quiet season. But the Rams’ place-kicker made his presence felt against Denver, kicking a career-best five field goals. Those 15 points spelled the difference in a 15-point Rams victory.
Zuerlein got his leg warmed up with three shorter kicks in the opening three quarters, making field goals of 37, 29 and 22 yards. Then came two long-range boots in the fourth quarter, from 55 and 53 yards to give the Rams some breathing room.
“It’s just nice getting into a rhythm early on, and then feeling confident throughout the game,” Zuerlein said.
RAM-BLINGS
With Denver in so many three-receiver sets and safety Mark Barron being used in some packages, strong side linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar did not see action Sunday. Dunbar has been bothered by a toe injury.
• After seeing some action on special teams last week in Arizona, running back Zac Stacy did not play. He has not had a carry since Oct. 26 in Kansas City.
• WR Damian Williams, CB Lamarcus Joyner, CB Marcus Roberson, LB Daren Bates, OG Brandon Washington, TE Alex Bayer and DT Alex Carrington were inactive for the Rams.