When the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams get together on Sunday, it will be a study in just how much a quarterback matters. Denver has Peyton Manning, a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer who has guided his team to the playoffs every year since 2001. For the Rams, Shaun Hill will get his first start since Week 1, taking over for the benched Austin Davis.
Broncos vs. Rams 2014 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Peyton Manning locks horns with the Rams in St. Louis, looking to maintain a grip on the AFC West with a road win.
The Broncos are vying for home-field advantage in the AFC, but currently sit in a tenuous position. After losing to the New England Patriots two weeks ago, Denver trails New England by a half-game in the standings for the top playoff spot. Additionally, the AFC West is anything but settled. The Kansas City Chiefs have won six of seven and trail Denver by a single game, with the two set to meet at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 29. A win over the Rams is critical for the Broncos' playoff picture.
Denver is led by an offense which ranks near or at the top of most categories. The Broncos are second at 31.8 points per game and 318 passing yards/game. Peyton Manning is tops in the NFL with 29 touchdown passes, a year after breaking the league record with 56. The defense has also gotten a boost from the offseason signing of DeMarcus Ware. The All-Pro defensive end has eight sacks, second on the team to Von Miller’s nine.
St. Louis has endured a much tougher time moving the football. With no overwhelming star on offense to take the pressure off others, the Rams have had to rely on a group effort. Rookie Tre Mason is leading the team in rushing with 270 yards on a respectable 4.3 yards per carry. Tight end Jared Cook has been the biggest weapon downfield, hauling in 31 catches for 427 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Rams rely on a front four which has come on recently. After only having one sack through the first six games of the campaign, St. Louis has amassed 16 in the last three. Robert Quinn leads the way with six after pacing the NFL last season with 19.
How to Watch
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NFL Sunday Ticket
Odds
Denver is favored by 9.5 points on the road over St. Louis, with an over/under set at 51, per OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Broncos, check out Mile High Report.
To keep up on the Rams, head over to Turf Show Times.
See More:
