Rams vs. Broncos: Sam Bradford on Fire in First Road Win For St. Louis

Justin Edmonds/Getty ImagesTalk about split personalities. Just when I'm ready to write the season off for the St. Louis Rams they turn it around, then blow it again, then turn it around, and now they'll likely blow it again. The Rams lead the NFC West, can you believe that? Their 5-6 record is the same as the Seahawks, but the Rams hold the tiebreaker edge because of a head-to-head win earlier in the season. Seattle will have a shot at redemption down the road in Week 17.Anyways, getting back to the game.The Rams looked down right awful on defense in the first quarter of the 36-33 win. Denver drove the field with ease to open the game, rolling 80 yards on seven plays. The drive went 80 yards on seven plays. Not one single player made a play of Steelers 6 Super Bowl Champions jersey
any significance for the Rams on said drive. Kyle Orton and Knowshown Moreno combined for four plays of 10 yards or more.After Sam Bradford and the Rams went three-and-out on their first drive, Denver drove the field but were only able to kick a field-goal; a field goal that put the Rams in a 10-0 hole before they knew what hit 'em.What happened next completely shocked me. The Rams fought adversity and came back behind the fearless leadership of one very wealthy quarterback in Sam Bradford. Late in the first, Sam drove the Rams 80 yards in just under six minutes. It was masterful, he was 5-6 on the drive--completing passes to five different receivers. So much for needing a Larry Fitzgerald the team. I kid--I kid.How many win does it take to win the NFC West? And no this isn't a joke.How many win does it take to win the NFC West? And no this isn't a joke.61.8%715.8%863.2%917.1%102.2%Total votes: 228The Rams went on a 33-3 tear after they went down 10-0 in the first quarter. Denver was able to stop Steven Jackson from breaking the big one, but weren't as successful with Bradford. The kid threw three touchdowns passes to two tight-ends. Michael Hoomanawanui and Billy Bajema were the recipients of Bradford's career high of three touchdown passes. Since Week 6, Bradford has thrown 11 touchdowns to only one interception. Can you say: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR?Knowing how much the Rams like to blow late leads, I wasn't at all surprised by the fact that Denver turned around it around and went on a 20-3 scoring spree in the fourth quarter. Once again, Steve Spagnuolo and Pat Shurmur went into total shutdown mode with the lead in the final frame. The wonderful stench of their first road win since Week 8 of last season must have overwhelmed the two baboons so much that they almost let it slip away.Aren't you starting to wonder what goes on in their heads when the game is on the line? The Rams predictably turn into Steelers 36 Bettis Jersey
a prevent team on both sides of the ball. And the funny part of it all is that they didn't do either very well. Shurmur turns into a play-calling prude in an attempt to limit opportunities for rookie-Bradford mistakes.Rams' fourth quarter drives:8 plays/ 53 yards/ 4:04 elapsed/ field goalJustin Edmonds/Getty Images3 plays/ 4 yards/ 1:27 elapsed/ punt3 plays/ 3 yards/ :14 elapsed/ punt3 plays/ 4 yards/ 1:29 elapsed/ punt1 play/ -1 yards/ :22 elapsed/ QB kneelTotal: 18 plays/ 63 yards/ 7:36 elapsed/ 3 pointsWhen I realized the following stat, I threw up in my mouth a little bit.Of the 17 total plays, only three were gains of 6 yards or more and thirteen plays went for five yards or less (+1FG).As for the defense? They crapped their prevent pants too. The goal of the prevent is to prevent big plays, not allow seven plays of 10 yards or more in a shade over seven minutes of action when everything is supposed to be kept in the middle of the field. The injury excuse can only hold up for so long before it starts getting old. And let me tell you--it's getting old. Bartell and Atogwe are supposed to be the anchors of the secondary but their lack of consistency is astounding.I'm not sure what the answer is for the secondary at this point. The best thing to hope for down the stretch will be weak passing offenses. If Troy Smith and Kyle Orton can put up 350 yards in the air, what do you think is going to happen if the Rams meet up with Mike Vick or Eli Manning in the playoffs? Vick would make the Rams' look like the Redskins all over again.In the end, it 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
was a nice win. Bradford had a career game--going over 300 yards passing for the first time in his NFL life. The Rams were able to get their first win on the road. And best of all, thanks to a Seattle loss, they are the new leaders of the NFC West. Like I said, all-in-all it was a good day for the Rams.Next up: at ArizonaThe Rams have a chance to avenge their first loss of the season.Follow me on Twitter: BearConsults + RamsReportQuestions? Comments? Concerns? Share 'em below in the comments section.What did you think of the offensive balance from Pat Shurmur? Can the Rams beat Arizona on the road? Let's discuss! Happy holidays.