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RESURGENT RAMS SEEK TO NARROW GAP IN NFC WEST

Is the Greatest Show on Turf Back on Track?

Rested and ready after a bye in Week 8, the St. Louis Rams will aim to continue their resurgence this Sunday as they travel to the desert to face the Arizona Cardinals in a key NFC West Division showdown.

The game is the first meeting between the two clubs as division rivals since the NFL’s realignment took effect this season.  The Rams, after an 0-5 start, have rebounded to win two consecutive games: a 28-13 win over previously-undefeated Oakland, followed by a 37-20 triumph against Seattle.

"We are getting going again with two good wins," says Rams head coach MIKE MARTZ, whose club is looking to join the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals (1-6), 1990 New Orleans Saints (2-5) and 1995 Detroit Lions (2-5) as the only NFL teams to have two wins or less after seven games and qualify for the playoffs.  "The week off has given us a chance to regroup and get a good game plan up for Arizona.  It was a tough start, but now I think we are ready to make a run down the stretch in the second half of the season."

One key to the Rams’ resurgence has been the play of running back MARSHALL FAULK, who has rushed for 341 yards (158 vs. Oakland, 183 vs. Seattle) and three touchdowns and added 11 receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns in his past two games.

With 150 yards rushing against Arizona, Faulk can become the first player since newly-crowned NFL career rushing champion EMMITT SMITH to rush for 150 yards in each of three consecutive games.  Smith accomplished the feat in his last two games of 1993 (153, 168) and first game of 1994 (171).

Against the Seahawks, Faulk rushed a career-high-tying 32 times, his busiest day since a 32-carry, 220-yard effort against the Saints on December 24, 2000.

Having the former San Diego State star on track has been a sure indicator of success for St. Louis, as the Rams are 18-0 when Faulk rushes for at least 100 yards.

"We had a tough start, but now we are winning ballgames again," says Faulk.  "You have to make adjustments in this game, and the teams that make the adjustments quickest succeed, and they will continue to succeed longer.  Football is never easy, no matter who you play against or how many points you win by.  Every game is a tough challenge."

The Rams have answered the challenge at quarterback as second-year veteran MARC BULGER has stepped in for the injured KURT WARNER and guided the team to wins in his first two career starts.  Bugler has thrown for 451 yards, four touchdowns and one interception and posted a 97.1 passer rating in those starts.

A product of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, the alma mater of NFL legend DAN MARINO, Bulger has led the Rams to points in 41 percent (11 of 27) of the team’s possessions.  The former West Virginia star is not surprised at the success he has had in his initial NFL action.

"I don’t think I was put in situations where I had to do anything crazy," says Bulger.  "I just did what I was supposed to do and it worked out for me and the team."

The Rams’ defense has also played a key part in the club’s reversal of fortune.  After allowing an average of 25.0 points through the first five games, St. Louis has reduced that number to 16.5 per game in its past two games.  The club has also forced six turnovers during its two-game winning streak, compared to six overall in its first five games.

 

A statistical look at the Rams’ 2002 turnaround:

 

Emmitt Smith's Career Statistics: Game by Game

NFL 2002 Standings, Schedule and Scores

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE