ATLANTA — In a season during which his defense allowed the fewest points and produced the most takeaways in the NFL, new Broncos coach Vic Fangio’s masterpiece came in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams traveled to Chicago with an 11-1 record and had scored at least 30 points in all but two games. They left with a 15-6 loss and a season-low 214 yards, another victim of Fangio’s defense.

A little over a month later, Fangio was hired by the Broncos. The Rams rebounded to reach Sunday’s Super Bowl against New England.

“(Fangio) did a great job of utilizing his great players and he put them in position to really allow the front to attack and the secondary to do such a great job,” said Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron.

Rams quarterback Jared Goff threw four interceptions (a career high) and posted a 19.1 passer rating (a career low). His 45.5 completion percentage (20 of 44) was his second-worst.

“They were able to match up with us and it was one of those games, we were a little off and they were really on,” Rams senior offensive assistant Jedd Fisch said. “They had really good players, a great pass rush, interior lineman as well as (linebacker Khalil) Mack affecting the game. They had good corners so they could play any coverage they wanted.”

The Rams had only two plays of longer than 16 yards and also allowed a safety.

“Clearly, a great coach,” backup Rams’ quarterback Sean Mannion said of Fangio. “You could tell they were really well-coached and would make you earn every yard. They weren’t giving up big plays or busting coverages.”

Chicago outside linebacker Sam Acho was on injured reserve but remembered Fangio’s confidence during the week of preparation.

“Everybody talked about how great the Rams were,” Acho said. “What Vic told us was, ‘This (Rams) team is good, don’t get me wrong. But we have the guys and the outfit to stop them.’ He studied so much, he knew what they were going to do and he also had the players who went out and executed the game plan.”

Praise for Munchak. Undrafted in 2014, offensive tackle Alejandro Villaneuva was signed by Philadelphia but cut after training camp. Villaneuva, a 26-year old rookie because of his Army commitment, joined the Pittsburgh Steelers and offensive line coach Mike Munchak.

After a year of seasoning, Villaneuva went on to start 58 games for the Steelers and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017-18. He credits Munchak, hired by the Broncos last month, for his development.

“Mike Munchak is somebody who introduced me to the game,” Villaneuva said. “I don’t think many people would have given me a chance. He grabbed somebody who wanted to work and put me in a position to succeed.

“It was an honor to get to know him and his family and get to learn from him at a personal level. I hold him in the highest regard. He’s one of the most unbelievable people I’ve ever met. The Denver Broncos are a very lucky organization to have him.”

Around the NFL



Book shelf. Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi’s book, “Gridiron Genius,” got attention last week when it was mentioned in an interview by Rams coach Sean McVay. And for good reason. Lombardi, whose history includes working for Bill Walsh, Al Davis, and Bill Belichick, presents his philosophies on hiring a coach, playing offense, defense and special teams, game-planning and a chapter titled ‘WWBD’ – What Would Belichick Do?

Like old times. Rams cornerback Aqib Talib and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips were reunited this season after a season apart. The transition was seamless. “I kept in contact with him (in 2017) with a lot of texting,” said Talib, whose Broncos career ended last offseason with a trade to the Rams. “Back with him, the defense is pretty much the same with some tweaks here and there. It was just like it was (in Denver).”

Ravens turn to DeCosta. The Ravens signed coach John Harbaugh to a contract extension as well as passing the general manager’s keys to long-time team executive Eric DeCosta. Interestingly, at the introductory news conference, DeCosta had to squash previous reports of discord between him and Harbaugh. “It was personal and simply not true,” DeCosta said.

Coaching carousel. Miami (New England de facto defensive coordinator Brian Flores) and Cincinnati (Rams quarterback coach Zac Taylor) should finally have their vacancies filled shortly after the Super Bowl. The rule preventing the Dolphins and Bengals from officially offering a contract and making an announcement should be altered. Then again, it took years for the league to wake up and allow assistants to be interviewed while their team was still participating in the postseason. Sometimes, the NFL moves at a glacial pace.

Peppers retires. Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers announced his retirement on Friday. He should be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2024. Peppers’ 159 1/2 sacks are fourth-most all time. He missed only six games in 17 years (none since 2007) and made Pro Bowls with the Panthers, Chicago, and Green Bay. Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs (132 1/2) is now the active sack leader.

Super Bowl memories. Fortunate to be covering my 10th Super Bowl on Sunday. First one: Pittsburgh over Seattle (Detroit, 2005 season). Best one: New England over Seattle (Glendale, Ariz., 2014). Worst one: Seattle over the Broncos (East Rutherford, N.J., 2013).

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