Greg Zuerlein kicked five field goals to guide the St Louis Rams to a shock 22-7 victory over the Denver Broncos as the home side held Peyton Manning's offense to their lowest points tally in one game in his three years at the club.
The Rams had a solid start to the game as they moved the ball well on offense with Shaun Hill at quarterback and they made their way into Broncos territory, but were forced to settle for three points from the boot of Zuerlein.
St Louis were able to extend their advantage to 10 points when Hill dropped back and fired deep downfield for the route of Kenny Britt, who beat the coverage of Bradley Roby for a 63-yard touchdown.
The home side continued to dominate the Broncos and they powered further ahead when Hill drove his side to the 10-yard line, although the visitors' defense tightened enough to force a field goal from Zuerlein.
Denver brought themselves back into the game just before the break on a crucial fourth down play. Manning threw deep downfield for Emmanuel Sanders, who was left uncovered for the 42-yard touchdown.
Both sides struggled to add to the scoreline after the break, as Denver sustained major injury problems when Sanders took a huge hit down the sideline, joining Julius Thomas and Montee Ball in leaving the game.
The Rams extended their lead to nine points towards the end of the third quarter when Hill failed to find the endzone from the five-yard line, leaving Zuerlein to add another field goal from close range.
Manning was beginning to become frustrated with his side's lack of production on offense, which forced him into an errant throw and Alec Ogletree made the interception. The Rams added to the scoreline when Zuerlein kicked his fourth field goal of the game, this time from 55 yards.
The 38-year-old tried to rally his side to a comeback, but threw another interception late in the game to Trumaine Johnson, which allowed the Rams to seal the victory as Zuerlein notched his fifth field goal of the game.
Simon Sinclair
