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Rams shock Manning, Broncos 22-7
• BY JIM THOMAS
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_658624fd-e847-5d5e-8cf9-544d42e1c0ae.html
The Rams defense has arrived — better late than never. Quarterback Shaun Hill finally got a chance to show what he could do. Again, better late than never.
And with help from linebacker Alex Ogletree, running back Tre Mason, and wide receiver Kenny Britt, the Rams pulled off their second huge upset in the past three games, defeating Denver 22-7 Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
Hill completed 20 of 29 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. Mason gained 113 yards on 29 yards against a Denver defense that entered the game leading the league in rushing defense, allowing only 67 yards a game. Britt had 100 yards receiving before halftime, scoring the Rams' only TD of the day.
And let's not forget Greg Zuerlein, who kicked five field goals — including two of 50 yards-plus.
The Broncos, in first place in the AFC West, fell to 7-3. The Rams, last in the NFC West, improved to 4-6.
Things couldn't have started better for Hill, returning to the starting lineup for the first time since the season opener Sept. 7 against Minnesota.
On the third play from scrimmage, Hill hit Britt deep for a 33-yard gain to the Denver 40. Britt beat Aqib Talib on the play, and had enough separation that it might have been a touchdown had Hill not thrown the ball a little behind Britt. The Rams made it all the way to the Denver 14, when a Von Miller sack on third-and-4 forced a Zuerlein field goal.
The Rams made it 10-0 late in the first quarter when Hill once again connected with Britt on a deep post for a 63-yard touchdown. Britt got behind Bradley Roby on the play for his third TD of the season.
So it was 10-0 Rams with 1:18 to play in the first quarter. The several thousand Broncos fans in attendance, all wearing Denver orange, were in a little bit of a shock. The score grew to 13-0 on another Zuerlein field goal with 4:48 left in the half.
The Rams missed another chance to put seven on the board, advancing as far as the Denver 10-yard line. But on third-and-3, Hill's pass was deflected . . . back into his arms. But Hill only made it back to the line of scrimmage after his "reception" so out trotted Zeuerlein to make it 13-0 Rams with his 29-yard field goal.
But what would a Rams game be without a busted coverage. With just 2:22 left in the half, Peyton Manning hit a wide-open Emmanuel Sanders for a 42-yard TD. Afterwards, Jenkins and a couple of his teammates in the secondary were gesturing back and forth in the familiar: "I thought you had him. No, I thought you had him" pose.
So it was 13-7 and you had to wonder if settling for field goals instead of scoring TDs would come back to haunt the Rams in the second half.
Save for that busted coverage, the Rams did as well as could be expected trying to defend Manning. They changed fronts, mixed coverages, and pressured him on several occasions. Something not seen that often by the Rams this season, a blitz by James Laurinaitis, forced a few rushed throws by Manning.
Rams linebackers and defensive backs jumped shorter routes quickly, breaking up several throws.
Most of the third quarter was a field position game with the Rams and Broncos exchanging punts. But the Rams got a break on one of those Denver punts when Broncos tackler Lamin Barrow used a horse-collar tackle to bring down Tavon Austin. As a result they took over on their 48.
Mason's second-longest run of the season — 27 yards — put the Rams in field goal range. Once again, they advanced to the red zone, this time reaching the 4. But once again, St. Louis settled for a Zuerlein field goal. It did, however, make it a two-score game at 16-7 Rams.
On the next series for Manning and Co., Rams linebacker Alex Ogletree undercut a pass intended for tight end Jacob Tamme over the middle for his second interception in as many weeks. The Rams got only one first down out of that possession but it was enough for Zuerlein, who kicked his fourth field goal of the game and his second-longest of the season from 55 yards.
So the Rams were up 19-7, meaning Denver needed two TDs to catch the Rams early in the fourth quarter. Zuerlein wasn't done kicking. After a leaping interception by Trumaine Johnson after Manning threw into double coverage, the Rams took over at the Denver 41 with just 5:23 left to play.
The Rams gained only six yards on the possession, but again it was enough for Zuerlein, who kicked a 53-yarder for a 22-7 lead with 4:44 to play. Now it would take two TDs and a two-point conversion by Manning just to tie.
But it didn't happen. Manning's fourth-and-1 pass with 2:27 to play from the St. Louis 41 was batted down by Ogletree. And the Rams had posted another upset.
Here are the updates posted by football writer Joe Lyons during the game:
The defense continued its stellar recent play, quarterback Shaun Hill was very good in his return and Greg Zuerlein booted five field goals as the Rams stunned the Denver Broncos 22-7 Sunday afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Rams improved to 4-6 while Denver, last year's Super Bowl runner-up, Broncos fell to 7-3.
Hill, who hadn't started since getting hurt in the season-opening loss to Minnesota, completed 20 of 29 passes for 220 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown to KennyBritt late in the first quarter.
Zuerlein, who has struggled with consistency at times this season, stretched the Rams' lead to 19-7 with 11:59 to play with a 55-yard field goal. That score was set up by an Alec Ogletree interception on the first play of the final quarter. Zuerlein is now 2 of 4 from 50 yards or better this season.
On the final play of the third, James Laurinaitis sacked Peyton Manning to help set up Ogletree's pick.
The next Broncos' drive ended with a fourth-down sack of Manning. Robert Quinn set up the play, getting to Manning and spinning him around. Rookie Aaron Donald followed up to finish off the veteran quarterback.
Zuerlein closed out the Rams' scoring with 4:44 to play with a 53-yard field goal.
The Rams travel to San Diego to take on the Chargers next Sunday.
RAMS UP 16-7 WITH A QUARTER LEFT
The Rams' lead grew to 16-7 late in the third quarter as Greg Zuerlein booted his third field goal of the day. The 22-yarder came with 1:41 to play in the third. The drive was highlighted by a 27-yard run around left end by Tre Mason and a 10-yard reverse by Tavon Austin.
Midway through the quarter, the Broncos' lost wideout Emmanuel Sanders due to a concussion after a big from Rams safety Rodney McLeod, who picked up an unnecessary roughness call on the play.
RAMS CARRY 13-7 LEAD TO HALFTIME BREAK
The Rams added to their lead, going up 13-0, with 3:57 to play in the first half as Greg Zuerlein connected on a 29-yard field goal. The drive featured back-to-back passes from Shaun Hill to Kenny Britt covering 21 and 11 yards. Early in the drive, on a third-down play, Hill threw to Stedman Bailey for a 10-yard gain. Hill has completed 11 of his first 14 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
The Broncos showed their quick-strike ability, moving 80 yards on just five plays to make it 13-7. Taking advantage of a blown coverage by the Rams, Peyton Manning found Emmanuel Sanders open behind the Rams' secondary for a 42-yard touchdown with 2:22 left in the first half. On the drive, Manning hit Demaryius Thomas on passes covering 23 and 15 yards.
Some quick halftime numbers:
• Hill, making his first start since being sidelined with a quadriceps injury midway through the season-opening loss to the Vikings, has completed 13 of 16 for 168 yards and a touchdown. Kenny Britt has four catches for 128 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown. Tre Mason has rushed 12 times for 56 yards.
• Manning has completed 14 of 25 for 192 with a touchdown. Sanders has four catches for 89 yards with a 42-yard touchdown grab. Running back Montee Ball, the Timberland High product, appears to have aggravated the groin injury that kept him out of the last five games. He was targeted twice by Manning the first half but failed to come up with either pass.
RAMS UP 10-0 AFTER ONE QUARTER
As they've done most of the season, the Rams put together a solid opening drive, going up 3-0 on a 37-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein with 9:14 to play in the first quarter. The big play of the 11-play, 61-yard drive was a 33-yard strike from Shaun Hill to Kenny Britt. Hill, starting in place of Austin Davis, completed three of four passes for 41 yards as Tre Mason rushed four times for 18 yards.
The Rams added to their lead late in the quarter on a 63-yard bomb from Hill to Britt with 1:10 to play in the opening quarter. Britt beat Broncos' rookie Bradley Roby on a post down the middle. The touchdown, which put the Rams up 10-0, came one play after the Rams held on a fourth-down play from the St. Louis 37.
RAMS, BRONCOS AT THE DOME
After three road games, the Rams return to the Edward Jones Dome to take on Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos today at noon.
Today marks the third consecutive road game for Denver, which enters at 7-2.. The Rams are 3-6.
No real surprises among the Rams inactives: defensive back Lamarcus Joyner (groin), cornerback Marcus Roberson (ankle), linebacker Daren Bates (groin), wide receiver Damian Williams (hamstring) defensive tackle Alex Carrington (quadriceps), offensive lineman Brandon Washington and tight end Alex Bayer.
The Broncos are without running back Ronnie Hillman (foot), their top rusher. C.J. Anderson, who had a career-best 163 yards from scrimmage in last week's 41-17 win over the Raiders in Oakland, will get the start, but Timberland High product Montee Ball should also get some time. Ball, the team's second-round pick last year, has been sidelined with a groin injury since Oct. 5.
Joining Hillman on the Denver inactive list are tight end Virgil Green (knee), receiver Cody Latimer, cornerback Tony Carter, running back Kapri Bibbs, tackle Michael Schofield and linebacker Todd Davis.
For the first time since last season, the Rams will be starting third-year players Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson together at cornerback. Both have slowed this season by injury. With Jenkins and Johnson back and Joyner out, rookie E.J. Gaines will shift from corner to nickel back. A sixth-round draft pick from Mizzou, Gaines has been solid as a starter at corner in the season's first nine games.
The Rams are wearing blue jerseys and white pants. The Broncos are in all white.
SALUTE TO SERVICE
The Rams have a number of special tributes scheduled as part of the team's Salute to Service game today.
The team has partnered with the Boeing Company and the USO of Missouri to provide 1,000 tickets for military members and their families, with additional tickets available at a special rate for military and veterans.
The National Anthem will be performed by retired U.S. Navy Officer Generald Wilson, with the colors presented by Lincoln University's Army ROTC. Active military members will join the team on the field as Vice Admiral William A. Brown, a three-star general and deputy Commode at U.S. Transportation Scott Air Force Base will serve as honorary team captain during the coin toss.
At halftime, the Band of Mid-America from Scott will perform the song of each military branch. The Rams will continue to honor a Wounded Warrior during the contest.
Players will honor military branches by wearing helmet decals representing the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.
Fans will be able to thank our military by stopping to personalize a holiday card to be sent to servicemen and women during the holiday season at one of seven American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes card signing tables, which will be located outside sections 110, 138, 326, 353, 414, 440 and in the Bud Light Party Zone. Rams defensive end Chris Long is featured on the holiday card and is the honorary chair for the campaign.
