Denver Broncos (7-2) at St. Louis Rams (3-6)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Jenny Dell

*Keys to the game: C.J. Anderson, a second-year back from Cal, became the latest Broncos skill position player to seemingly step from behind the curtain to claim a starring role (Julius Thomas, Ronnie Hillman, et al). Anderson had 163 yards from scrimmage and a 51-yard touchdown reception last week and could see the bulk of the carries behind QB Peyton Manning with Hillman (foot, out) and Montee Ball (groin, questionable) not ready to carry the load.

Manning threw two more interceptions last week and his offensive line can be shaken. That pushes Anderson into a critical role considering the potency of the pass rush from the Rams.

Denver leads the league in rushing yardage allowed per game (67.0), yardage per carry (3.2) and percentage of carries to result in a first down (14.3).

QB Shaun Hill is back in the starting lineup for the Rams, unseating Austin Davis. A high-percentage passing game built to limit mistakes is a detriment if the Rams find themselves facing a large deficit.

St. Louis has its own issues on the offensive line, and no sure thing at running back or wide receiver to bail Hill out if Denver stockpiles points. The Rams are averaging less than 12 points per game in the past three games.

*Matchup to watch – Manning vs. Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams: S Mark Barron was a designated blitzer at Arizona, when the Rams had 17 pressures and three sacks after getting QB Colin Kaepernick eight times in Week 9. Manning and Williams, longtime coordinator of the Titans when Manning played for the Colts, is not afraid to gamble — or lose trying — to get to the quarterback.

*Player spotlight – Rams LB Alec Ogletree: Rookie Aaron Donald’s rapid improvement overshadows the spike in Ogletree’s performance. He intercepted Carson Palmer in the red zone last week and will share the assignment of Thomas, who has 12 TD receptions.

*Fast facts: The Rams had one sack in 142 pass plays during their first five games. St. Louis has one sack every 9.69 pass plays in the last four games. … The Broncos did not allow a rushing first down at Oakland last week.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

In rides Hill, but for the Rams journeyman quarterback to lead a stunning upset, he might need a miracle. The Broncos have superior talent to dictate matchups even St. Louis’ stout pass rush can’t slow down.

*Our pick: Broncos 35-17