Good morning, Broncos Country!
Today is the day Wade Phillips returns to Denver.
I would not be surprised if Denver Broncos fans give the son of Bum a standing ovation when they see the current Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator on the screens at Mile High. After all Phillips was a huge reason the Broncos won Super Bowl 50, and fans may want to show their appreciation.
On the latest MHR Radio Podcast, Adam Malnati and I talked about what Denver needs to do to give the Rams their first loss of the season (it won’t happen). I also previewed today’s game with Michael Klahr and Mark Knudson on my weekly segment (stats at 25 minutes). Any given Sunday, but the chances of that coming fruition are behind and slim and none.
The #Broncos will try and right the ship against the #LARams. And they will still do so with Vance Joseph as the head coach. @AdamMalnati16 and I try to have some fun for #BroncosCountry in our preview of the game on the @MileHighReport Radio Podcast. https://t.co/Wx1TfzvX6c
— Ian St. Clair (@IanStClair) October 10, 2018
Before we add another chapter to this series, here’s a look back at the history and what to watch for today.
- Today marks the 14th regular-season game between the Rams and Broncos. Denver is 5-8 in the series — 3-3 at home; 2-5 on the road. The first game between the two teams was Nov. 12, 1972, in LA at the Coliseum. The Broncos won 16-10.
- The most recent game between the Rams and Broncos was Nov. 16, 2014, in St. Louis. The Rams won that game 22-7. As it stands, Denver is on a three-game losing streak that started Sept. 10, 2006. That represents the longest winning streak for LA/St. Louis.
- Interesting tidbit about this series: The Broncos have never won consecutive games against the Rams. The last win in Denver for the Broncos was Sept. 8, 2002, 23-16. The last home loss was 36-33 on Nov. 28, 2010.
- Here’s another interesting tidbit about this series: The Broncos never won in St. Louis. Their last road win vs the Rams was 27-24 on Dec. 12, 1982, at the LA Coliseum. Denver’s last road ross was the 22-7 game in 2014 in St. Louis.
- In the series between the Rams and Broncos, there have been no shutouts. The most points Denver scored came in a 41-36 loss on Sept. 4, 2000, in St. Louis. That’s also the most points the Rams have scored in the series.
- The largest win (21) for the Broncos came in a 35-14 win on Sept. 14, 1997, at Mile High Stadium. The largest win (15) for the Rams came from their 22-7 win in 2014.
- The most combined points (77) for the Rams and Broncos came in the 41-36 Rams win in 2000. The fewest combined points (22) came in a 13-9 Rams win on Sept. 6, 1979, at Mile High.
- For those in Broncos Country who were curious: The Rams and Broncos have never played in the NFL playoffs.
Things for Broncos Country to watch vs the Rams
- Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. needs two passes defended to tie Ray Crockett and Steve Atwater for the third-most passes defended by a Bronco since the stat was recorded starting in 1994.
- Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall needs nine tackles to reach 400 for his NFL career.
- Broncos linebacker Von Miller needs 1.5 sacks to tie Ken Harvey (89.0) for 47th on the NFL’s all-time sack list.
- Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders needs three catches to reach 500 for his NFL career.
- Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas needs 74 receiving yards to reach 9,000 for his NFL career. Thomas also has played in 122 consecutive games, a streak that ranks fourth among non-quarterbacks.
- Broncos kicker Brandon McManus is one of five NFL players who has not missed a field goal or extra point attempt through the first five weeks.
- The Broncos rookie trio of Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman and Courtland Sutton have combined for 824 yards from scrimmage. That total represents the fifth-most yards by a rookie trio through five games since the 1970 NFL merger.
Horse Tracks
Three Keys to Broncos-Rams
Thirty is more than just the age for a quartet of key starters in Sunday's clash: quarterback Case Keenum, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, safety Darian Stewart and Rams guard Rodger Saffold. It is also a number that has been magic for the Rams and elusive for the Broncos.
Mason's Mailbag: The search for improvement
The Broncos have some encouraging metrics, including across-the-board improvement in the running game. If other areas can show the same progress, the Broncos have a chance to return to the win column.
Broncos shower Wade Phillips with praise while seeking to beat him | 9news.com
"Wade is my football father,'' Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said this week. "He's a great man, first of all, and a football genius.''
Broncos' 7 keys to victory over Los Angeles Rams - Denver7 TheDenverChannel.com
The Broncos look to break three-game losing streak that has threatened to ruin their season.
Wade Phillips -- aka @sonofbum -- still popular on Broncos' home turf - Denver Broncos- ESPN
After leading Denver's defense in Super Bowl 50, Wade Phillips' return to Mile High brings bittersweet memories.
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NFL Tracks
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The Steelers and the Bengals combined for 20 penalties in last year's melee. Now both teams will have to play under control Sunday in a crucial clash.
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Breshad Perriman has a new place of employment, and didn't have to go too far to find it. The former first-round pick of the Ravens is signing with the Browns, Ian Rapoport reported.
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The web of coaching connections in pro football is nearly endless: ‘It’s a forest.’
NFL: Why fewer players are being arrested since 2014
The NFL's drunk driving and domestic violence issues have improved after the watershed events of 2014, according to analysis of the USA TODAY Sports.
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For football players, picking the right shoe can help prevent lower limb traumas, which account for 60% of NFL injuries.