Splendid red-zone defense is keeping the Broncos in this game, as the Rams have turned four posssessions inside Denver’s 20 — including two goal-to-go situations — into nine of a possible 28 points so far, with no touchdowns.

Tatum Bell is back in at tailback.  His first carry since his first-quarter fumble gained seven yards.

Three straight possessions, three straight turnovers.  The Rams open this drive having run 21 consecutive plays (including field-goal attempts) from inside Broncos territory.

As Champ Bailey makes a first-down saving tackle that forces the Rams to settle for a 38-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal that actually does push him over 1,000 points, some numbers on the first quarter.

• First downs: Rams 6, Broncos 2.
• Total yardage: Rams 70, Broncos 24.
• Passing yardage: Rams 44, Broncos 7.
• Rushing yardage: Rams 26, Broncos 17.
• Turnovers: Rams 0, Broncos 2.
• First downs: Rams 6, Broncos 2.

David Kircus fielded the ensuing kickoff for a touchback. Mike Bell — who is in at tailback for possession No. 4 — had fielded the previous two kickoffs.

Al Wilson looked as though he turned into a lobbyist after pressure forced Marc Bulger into a second-and-goal incompletion with 35 seconds left in the first quarter, and if he did argue for intentional grounding, it worked, rocring the Rams into third-and-goal from the 15 as opposed to third-and-goal from the 2-yard-line.

Jeff Wilkins then drilled a 34-yard field goal … or so it seemed.

“Wilkins now has 1,001 points,” longtime Rams public-relations guru Rick Smith intoned over the press-box public address system after the kicker drilled a 34-yarder.

A holding penalty took care of that, and the Broncos gladly accepted.

“Scratch that,” Smith said.

A moment later, Wilkins’ 44-yard try slammed off the right upright.

Two goal-to-go situations against the Broncos defense, three points allowed.  The Rams’ second drive covered minus-22 yards in four plays.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, they quickly gave away their reprieve when Tatum Bell fumbled one play later, giving the football back to the Rams at the Denver 35.

The Bells continue to alternate possessions as they did in the preseason; Mike Bell entered on the Broncos’ second drive and immediately got onto the statistics sheet by catching an underhanded pass from Jake Plummer for no gain.  His second play was better, using a stutter-step to go right for six yards after looking as though he might be tackled in the backfield.

… St. Louis’ crowd, aroused by the homestanders’ quick start, approached F-16 level on third-and-4, went to a higher level after Plummer was sacked and fumbled, with the ball skipping backwards 20 yards to the 3-yard-line where the Rams recovered.  Denver challenged the call, but the play was upheld.

… Leonard Little has both of the Rams’ sacks so far, coming in through the right side of Denver’s offensive line.

Thoughts from my balky end of what might be the World’s Worst Internet Connection …

Two touchdown-saving plays by Denver’s cornerbacks helpd force the Rams to settle for a 26-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal to cap a 15-play, 69-yard march.

The first was a superb open-field tackle by Champ Bailey on Steven Jackson with second-and-goal from the Denver 8.  Jackson had room heading to the outside, but Bailey fought off a block to snag the tailback in the open field for no gain.

One play later, Marc Bulger found Shaun McDonald in the end zone, but Domonique Foxworth was on him in tight coverage, swatting the pass away — much to the consternation of the home fans, whose reaction indicated they wanted a pass-interference call.

Early notes on personnel:

• Mike Bell deep to return the opening kickoff; he returned it 19 yards.
• Tatum Bell starts at running back. Broncos open up with two tight ends: Stephen Alexander and Tony Scheffler.
• Two wide receivers: Rod Smith and Javon Walker. No fullbacks.

Some thoughts on the game’s first exchange of possessions:

• Eleven yards on third-and-three to Javon Walker is exactly the kind of catch for which the Broncos acquired the former Packers Pro Bowler.
• Two penalties on the offensive line; one accepted, one declined (holding on George Foster when Leonard Little notched a 9-yard sackI0.
• Paul Ernster’s first regular-season punt was fair-caught by Shaun McDonald, giving the second-year punter/kickoff man a net of 43.
• St. Louis’ offense still looks worthy of being in the NFL’s elite, although it is taking a more deliberate, fairways-and-greens approach to downfield movement than it has been known for. The Rams’ one deep shot of the drive came on a free play when the Broncos were offsides; it fell incomplete.

And some thoughts from the pregame:

• Late-arriving crowd here at the Edward Jones Dome; about 10,000-15,000 empty seats at kickoff. (They soon filled up.)
• Walking into the twice-renamed dome is less like entering a stadium and more like going to the theatre. The playing surface is well-lit, but the stands sit in relative darkness — even before the Rams turn out the lights for the NBA-style, fireworks-accentuated introduction
• Plastic cups for sale at the concession stands. Always a plus for the el-cheapo souvenir collector like myself.