Rams in Midseason Form With Win Over Lions

LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer

DETROIT -- While the St. Louis Rams were in midseason form, the Detroit Lions were in a funk. Marc Bulger accounted for two touchdowns, Isaac Bruce had 85 yards receiving and a score, and Steven Jackson ran for 108 yards and a TD to lead St. Louis to a 37-13 exhibition victory over Detroit on Monday night. - College Football -

"It's time to go now," St. Louis coach Mike Martz said. "It's time to get ready to play the season."

Bulger said the Rams had a game plan for the first time this month.

"We treated this like a regular-season game," Bulger said. "Whether they did or not, who knows?"

The Lions took the game seriously, but seemed to have many of the same problems they've been having. - College Football -

"There are no excuses for a game like this," Detroit coach Steve Mariucci said. "I thought we were very fired up and ready to go, but it just didn't happen on the field.

"It's alarming."

The game was similar to the last one featuring the Lions on national television in prime time, a 35-0 setback against St. Louis on Oct. 8, 2001.

"It is tough to swallow a game like this, when we had a showcase to show how good we are," said tight end Marcus Pollard, one of Detroit's additions in the offseason.

Detroit has lost an NFL-high 48 games the past four years, while the Rams have been a playoff-caliber team since winning a title. - College Football -

With crisp passing and Jackson's running, the Rams (2-1) led 21-6 at halftime, a score Mariucci said would be important entering the game.

Bulger was 11-of-14 for 167 yards, threw a TD pass and ran for a 7-yard score, untouched on a sneak. Jackson ran for 64 yards on his first of 14 carries, and scored on a 3-yard run. Bruce had five receptions, including a 31-yard TD catch. - College Football -

A pass rush from all angles stifled Detroit's first-string offense, which hasn't scored a TD in three preseason losses.

"I have been saying all along that as long as our offensive line protects the quarterback and the defensive line plays well, this will be a goodfootball team," St. Louis' Torry Holt said. "I think we displayed that."

The Lions' starters finally got into the end zone, but two linemen were called for holding, negating the TD. Detroit ended up settling for Jason Hanson's second field goal late in the first half. - College Football -

Joey Harrington was 9-of-18 for 106 yards, and Kevin Jones had 38 yards rushing on nine carries.

"It was just one of those nights where things kind of piled on top of each other," Harrington said. "We missed blitz pickups, we missed throws and we missed routes. When you get into a funk like that, it's tough to break out."

As impressive as St. Louis was, it was more pleased two of its players appear to be healthy after scares.

Cornerback Terry Fair had full feeling in his extremities and never lost consciousness after spraining his neck when his head struck Jones' thigh on a tackle. - College Football -

Fair, motionless face down on the turf for several minutes, was strapped to a backboard and carted off the field late in the first quarter. As the cart approached the tunnel, the former Lion lifted his right arm and put his thumb up. He was taken to Henry Ford Hospital, where he was to stay overnight.

"We feel very fortunate and blessed it wasn't anything more serious," St. Louis coach Mike Martz said. - College Football -

After jumping offside and blocking an extra point, Lions safety Terrence Holt ran into Jeff Wilkins. The standout kicker limped to the sideline, but was healthy enough to kick field goals later in the game.

Notes:@ St. Louis RB Arlen Harris (concussion) and S Jerome Carter (Achilles strain) left the game. ... Lions SS Kenoy Kennedy (hamstring) and LB James Davis (wrist) were hurt during the game while LB Wali Rainer played despite injuring his back in a traffic accident on the way to the game. ... Detroit LB Teddy Lehman (knee) was inactive for the game and is expected to miss the final preseason game at Buffalo. - College Football -

Associated Press.