Rams vs. Broncos: Breaking Down St. Louis' Game Plan

ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports that the St. Louis Rams have made a quarterback switch as they prepare for a high-powered team in the 7-2 Denver Broncos. Austin Davis has been benched in favor of 13-year veteran Shaun Hill.

Hill already has one start this year in his first season in St. Louis and now looks to lead the team after a down season.

At 3-6, Hill wants to help the Rams improve before the year is over. That tall order begins at home this week against the Broncos.

While Odds Shark indicates the Broncos are universally favored to win and have the advantage in nearly every matchup, the Rams can make this a competitive game and find ways to pull off the upset.

We have seen upsets in the past and the Rams are capable of pulling one off with the right game plan and good execution.

Pressure Peyton Manning

After a very quiet start to the 2014 season, Rams defensive end Robert Quinn has collected two sacks and registered two forced fumbles in the past four games. Quinn is slowly returning to his Pro Bowl form after finishing second in the NFL last year with 19 sacks.

The reigning NFC sack leader from North Carolina will be a big part of St. Louis’ game plan if the team wants to come away with the upset.

The hard part is the fact that Manning uses the entire field and wastes little time dishing out passes to his targets.

A quick jump off the snap will be important for Quinn. If he can get through Denver’s offensive line and get to Manning in the pocket, the Broncos will be limited when it comes to scoring in this game.

Get Tavon Austin Involved on Offense

It has been a quiet year during a down season for Tavon Austin, who has had only two catches in each of the last four games. He has 17 receptions altogether for 154 yards while running the ball 18 times for 82 yards.

The quiet season could be due to the fact that Davis was the quarterback after Sam Bradford’s injury.

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The Broncos have one of the more dominant defenses in the NFL, ranking first against the run and allowing the fewest yards per play in the passing game.

Despite the lack of production this season from Austin as he goes up against a stout defense, his speed could do a lot of damage against Denver.

Ever since he prepped at West Virginia, Austin has been well-known for his speed, quickness and agility.

The Rams will want to keep him active and put the ball in his hands as much as possible.

Protect Shaun Hill

In Hill’s first year with the St. Louis Rams, he finds himself earning the reins of the starting quarterback position. Hill started in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings in what was his first NFL start since 2010.

Hill saw action as a backup in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Although his playing time was limited in those years, he found himself dragged down by defenders plenty of times. Through 24 games, Hill was sacked 58 times, averaging more than two sacks taken per game during that span.

Going up against elite pass-rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, St. Louis’ offensive line will need to help Hill and try to give him the time he needs to make his passes.

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