NFL Week 11 Preview: Denver Broncos vs. St. Louis Rams
By Andrew Dill
Aug 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball (38) avoids a tackle by St. Louis Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) during the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos (7-2) stay on the road this weekend as they finish up their three-game road trip. Denver is coming off a dominant second half performance which led to a 41-17 blowout of the division rival Oakland Raiders. This Sunday, Denver will take on the St. Louis Rams who are coming off a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, 31-14.
What: NFL Week 11 Preview: Denver Broncos (7-2) vs. St. Louis Rams (3-6)
When: Sunday, November 16th
Where: Edwards Jones Dome (Saint Louis, Missouri)
Time: 1:00 PM EST, 11:00 PM MST
TV: CBS
The Broncos gave us quite the scare early on this past Sunday against the Raiders. It was a pretty close game until Denver pulled away in the third quarter. Peyton Manning finished the night completing 31-of-44 passes to go along with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back C.J. Anderson stepped in and provided a spark for Denver, collecting 163 all-purpose yards (90 rushing) with one touchdown reception.
Starting running back Ronnie Hillman is slated to be out 2-to-3 weeks after suffering a foot sprain in Sunday’s win. Good news for Broncos’ fans is that Montee Ball had his first full practice since Oct. 5th Wednesday afternoon. The team expects Ball to be in uniform for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams – Ball was previously out with a right groin injury he suffered week five vs. Arizona.
It would be a perfect time for Ball to come back as well, seeing St. Louis ranks 25th in the NFL in stopping the run – allowing 124.2 yards per contest.
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Denver’s defense looked solid this past Sunday despite recording a single sack against the Raiders. Brandon Marshall led the way with 13 total tackles, 11 solo while recording a tackle for a loss and a pass deflection. Rookie Bradley Roby recorded two pass deflections while T.J. Ward and Chris Harris Jr. added one apiece. DeMarcus Ware was also active up-front, collecting two tackles for a loss.
St. Louis couldn’t get anything going against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday afternoon as 2nd-year quarterback Austin Davis threw two interceptions. Not to mention, Davis had players in his face the majority of the game. Arizona collected 9 tackles for a loss while sacking Davis 6 times. This will be a prime opportunity on Sunday for Denver to establish their pass-rush and apply pressure to a Rams’ offensive line that is struggling.
However, the St. Louis Rams will elect to go with veteran QB Shaun Hill as their starter for Sunday’s game.
Someone who is not struggling is Broncos’ wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. After starting out the first three weeks of the season with just a total of just 141 yards receiving, Thomas recorded 226 yards the very next game against Arizona. Since week five, Demaryius currently holds a streak of six-straight 100-yard receiving games.
Kickoff between the Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST, 11:00 PM MST.