Peyton Manning looked in mid-season form completing 25 of 34 passes for 234 yards in the first half, but Alec Ogletree’s interception just before halftime set up Greg Zuerlein’s 58-yard field goal. The Rams led 20-10 at the break, but ended up losing 27-26 at Denver.
One of the two Rams’ first round draft choices, linebacker Ogletree from Georgia, is proving his worth this preseason. Ogletree also stripped Denver running back Ronnie Hillman of the ball, scooped it up and trotted 13 yards for his first touchdown in the NFL.
The Rams other first round pick, wide receiver Tavon Austin, returned a punt 88 yards down to the three. Sam Bradford hit tight end Jared Cook for a score to give the Rams a 7-0 lead. Bradford finished 9 of 16 for 110 yards. The Rams running game struggled, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry on only 18 attempts.
Denver rookie running back Montee Ball, from Wentzville, Mo., dropped a wide-open pass from Manning at the Rams 13 and later scored a one-yard TD run against backups in the third quarter.