At 7-2 the Denver Broncos are in good position for the playoffs and are playing to maintain their lead in the AFC West and keep pace for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The St. Louis Rams haven't found the same success this season and will enter the game at 3-6 and losers of five of their last seven games.
Broncos vs. Rams 2014: 3 questions that will decide the game
The Rams look to play spoiler when the heavily favored Broncos come to town.
While the matchup appears to be a mismatch on paper, the Rams have proven capable of beating a team they probably should. St. Louis knocked off Seattle earlier this year, the same Seahawks team that handed Denver one of its two losses this season.
Here are the three most pertinent questions that could decide the outcome in St. Louis.
1. Can Denver remain focused against a weaker opponent?
The Broncos are currently in a tie with the New England Patriots for the top spot in the AFC, but the Pats own a head-to-head win over Denver. A loss here would severely damage the Broncos' hopes of claiming the AFC's best record and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Broncos have to play every game with the mindset that they must win to keep that No. 1 seed within reach. Denver went to the Super Bowl last year after hosting both of their first two playoff games and it's no secret Peyton Manning and his team struggle away from home against elite competition.
Since Manning arrived in Denver, seven of their 10 regular season and postseason losses have come on the road.
2. Can Shaun Hill lead the Rams offense?
The Rams are taking a break from the Austin Davis experiment. Head coach Jeff Fisher made the announcement Wednesday that veteran Shaun Hill will be the starting quarterback in Week 11.
This comes after Davis threw a critical pick-six during the fourth quarter of the team's 31-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. Davis threw that interception with the Rams trailing, 17-14, with just more than five minutes left in the game. In nine games this season, Davis has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,001 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Hill began the year as the starter after Sam Bradford tore his ACL during the preseason. However, Hill was knocked out of the Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after injuring his thigh. He completed 8-of-13 passes for 81 yards and threw one interception and no touchdowns before leaving the game. Davis had started every game since then.
Needless to say, neither QB has set the world on fire with their play, but it’s now up to Hill to guide St. Louis and try to outscore Manning and Denver’s high-scoring offense. That’s a tall order for anyone, but Hill’s going to have to play one of the better games of his career for the Rams to even have a chance.
Play Fanduel, Win big money
3. Can Tre Mason step up?
The Rams would prefer to not have to put the offensive load on the shoulders of Hill, and that’s where Tre Mason could come in. No Rams running back has really stepped up this year, but Mason is the one getting the bulk of touches right now.
The rookie running back has 63 carries for 270 yards over his last five games. Mason is in for a tough task, though, when he goes up against a Denver team that ranks No. 1 in run defense. The Broncos thrive at stopping the run and forcing offenses to beat them with their quarterbacks, allowing them to unleash elite pass rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller. Denver allows just 3.2 yards per attempt, the best mark in the NFL.
A good running game is crucial to exposing Denver’s defense, and without it, the Rams will have no chance.
See More:
