Game 1 New York Giants 23, 13 Giants Stadium September 7, 2003 Sunny, 78 degrees The Rams lost their second consecutive season opener, 23-13, to the New York Giants on NFL Kickoff Weekend 2003. QB Kurt Warner threw a career-high 54 passes with 34 completions for 342 yards and one touchdown, a 37-yard pass to WR Torry Holt. Warner s 54 attempts were the second-most pass attempts (Mark Rypien, 55, vs. Buffalo 12/10/95) in franchise history. Warner also had his 28th career 300-plus yard passing game. WR Isaac Bruce set game-highs as he hauled in eight passes for 120 yards. Rookie WR Shaun McDonald quickly contributed to the offense in his NFL regular season debut by catching six passes for 46 yards. The Rams got on the board in the first quarter after a four-play drive that resulted in a 39-yard field goal by K Jeff Wilkins. After forcing a punt on the Giants following possession, the Rams took over on their own sixyard line. Two plays later, Warner was sacked by Giants rookie DT William Joseph which caused a fumble in the end zone that was recovered by Giants DE Kenny Holmes, putting the Giants up 7-3 with 2:10 left in the first quarter. At the start of the second quarter, in which the Rams converted a fake field goal on fourth down, Giants LB Michael Barrow forced a Warner fumble that was recovered by Holmes. After the turnover, the Rams red-zone defense forced the Giants to pull up for a 24-yard field goal by K Matt Bryant to extend the Giants lead to 10-3. After a DE Leonard Little forced fumble (recovered by DE Grant Wistrom), the Rams put together a sixplay, 28-yard drive to set Jeff Wilkins up for a 28-yard field goal to narrow the margin 10-6 at halftime. After the Rams were forced to punt in their first possession of the second half, the Giants put together an eight-play, 25- yard drive that resulted in a 47-yard field goal by Bryant to extend the Giants lead, 13-6. After a Rams threeand-out, the Giants engineered a six-play 53-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by RB Brian Mitchell to lift the Giants lead, 20-6. On the second play of the ensuing Rams possession, Giants FS Omar Stoutmire intercepted a Warner pass at the Giants 33 yard line. Following the turnover, the Giants put three more points on the board with a 44-yard field goal by Bryant to put the Giants up 23-6. Three plays into the fourth quarter, Warner found Holt in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown strike for the final margin. Game 2 27, San Francisco 49ers 24 Edward Jones Dome September 14, 2003 75 degrees The Rams won their regular season home opener in overtime, 27-24, against division rival San Francisco 49ers. The victory was the first overtime contest in St. Louis Rams franchise history. RB Marshall Faulk rushed 18 times for 57 yards with one touchdown and caught four passes for 33 yards. Faulk s combined numbers placed him 10th for all-purpose yards on the NFL s all-time list. The 49ers took advantage of early field position as RB Arlen Harris fumbled a P Bill LaFleur punt that was recovered by 49ers Dwaine Carpenter on the Rams 11-yard line. After a false start penalty by 49ers Kwame Harris, QB Jeff Garcia completed a 16- yard TD pass to WR Tai Streets to put the 49ers up 7-0 with 11:49 left in the first quarter. On the ensuing possession, the Rams took over on their own 31-yard line as Marc Bulger completed four of four passes and orchestrated a nine-play 69-yard scoring drive. The drive ended with an 11-yard TD strike to WR Torry Holt to tie the score, 7-7, with 6:24 remaining in the first quarter. The 49ers compiled a 10-play drive that set K Jeff Chandler up at for a 35-yard field goal to extend the 49ers lead to then 10-7 with 8:50 left in the first half. After a fumble by Marc Bulger on the first play of the following possession, LB Jeff Ulbrich recovered the ball at the Rams 49 to give the 49ers possession at the Rams 25 yard line. Shortly thereafter, Garcia threw a pass intended for WR Terrell Owens and was tipped by Rams DL Tyoka Jackson that fell into the hands of CB Travis Fisher. Fisher returned the interception for a career-high 65 yards to the 49ers 27-yard line. Three plays into the Rams ensuing possession, Bulger was sacked by DE John Engleberger, causing a fumble that was recovered by Engelberger as well. The score remained 10-7 going into halftime. The Rams defense forced a three and out on the 49ers first possession to start the second half. Starting on their own seven-yard line, Bulger engineered a 12-play 93-yard scoring drive, their longest drive since 2002 (San Diego11/10). At the start of the drive, Faulk left the field with a bruised eye as RB Lamar Gordon rushed six times for 33 yards. Faulk re-entered the game and capped off the drive with a two-yard TD run to put the Rams ahead 14-10 with 6:43 remaining in the third quarter. The 49ers quickly answered on the ensuing possession as RB Kevan Barlow ran for a 19-yard TD run to give the 49ers back the lead, 17-14, with 1:23 left in the third quarter. The Rams began the fourth quarter on the 49ers 46-yard line as Bulger found WR Dane Looker in the end zone six plays later for Looker s first career touchdown. After the Rams defense forced another three and out by the 49ers, The Rams put together another long drive of 67 yards where Faulk rushed eight times for 29 yards and resulted in a 29-yard FG by Wilkins to extend the margin 17-24 with 3:24 left in the game. The 49ers started their ensuing possession at their own 15-yard line where Garcia ushered an 11-play 85-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard TD strike to Owens to even the margin, 24-24, taking the game into overtime. The Rams capitalized on winning the coin toss as Harris returned Chandler s kick 42 yards to move the Rams closer to scoring position. Two plays later, Faulk hauled in a Bulger screen pass for 22 yards to set Wilkins up for a 28-yard game-winning FG for the final margin, 24-27. 3 3 0 7-13 N.Y. Giants 7 3 13 0-23 - FG Wilkins 39 NYG - Holmes fumble recovery in end zone (Bryant Kick) NYG FG Bryant 24 - FG Wilkins 28 NYG - FG Bryant 47 NYG - Mitchell 1-yard run (Bryant kick) NYG - FG Bryant 44 - Holt 37-yard pass from Warner (Wilkins kick) PAID ATT --- 78,666 GIANTS First Downs...18 15 Rushing...2 8 Passing...16 7 Penalty...0 0 Third Down Efficiency...5-16-31% 5-13-38% Fourth Down Efficiency...1-4-25% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...355 336 Total Offensive Plays...74 55 Avg. Gain Per Play...4.8 6.1 Rushes-Yards...13-40 27-149 Avg. Gain Per Rush...3.1 5.5 Net Passing Yards...315 187 Att-Comp-Int...55-35-1 26-14-0 Avg. Gain Per Pass...5.2 6.7 Sacks Allowed-Yards...6-38 2-15 Punts-Avg...4-35.8 5-44.2 Penalties-Yards...5-35 7-59 Fumbles-Lost...6-3 5-3 Time of Possession...33:14 26:46 QB Warner RC T. Fisher WR McDonald SS Archuleta Marshall Faulk 9 28 3.1 18 0 Shaun McDonald 2 7 3.5 5 0 Arlen Harris 1 5 5.0 5 0 Kurt Warner 1 0 0.0 0 0 Giants Att Yds Avg LG TD Tiki Barber 24 146 6.1 22 0 Kerry Collins 2 2 1.0 3 0 Brian Mitchell 1 1 1.0 1t 1 Kurt Warner 54 34 342 6/38 1 37 1 Dane Looker 1 1 11 0/0 0 11 0 Giants Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Kerry Collins 26 14 202 2/15 0 77 0 Isaac Bruce 8 120 15.0 21 0 Torry Holt 7 111 15.9 37t 1 Marshall Faulk 7 27 3.9 11 0 Shaun McDonald 6 46 7.7 13 0 Cameron Cleeland 2 14 7.0 11 0 Dane Looker 2 13 6.5 9 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 2 11 5.5 11 0 Arlen Harris 1 11 11.0 11 0 Giants No Yds Avg LG TD Ike Hilliard 4 32 8.0 14 0 Jeremy Shockey 3 36 12.0 15 0 Amani Toomer 2 98 49.0 77 0 Tiki Barber 2 19 9.5 11 0 Brian Mitchell 2 17 8.5 11 0 Delvin Joyce 1 0 0.0 0 0 None Giants No Yds Avg LG TD Omar Stoutmire 1 34 34.0 34 0 : Adam Archuleta 1-8, Leonard Little 1-7 Giants: Mike Barrow 2-15, Michael Strahan 1-9, William Joseph 1-6, Shaun Williams 1-6, Lance Legree 1-2 : Adam Archuleta 10, Leonard Little 10, Robert Thomas 9, Pisa Tinoisamoa 7 San Francisco 7 3 7 7 0-24 7 3 13 0 3-27 SF - Streets 16-yard pass from Garcia (Chandler kick) - Holt 11-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) SF FG Chandler 35 - Faulk 2-yard run (Wilkins kick) SF - Barlow 19-yard run (Chandler kick) - Looker 19-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 29 SF - Owens 13-yard pass from Garcia (Chandler kick) - FG Wilkins 28 PAID ATT --- 65,990 49ERS First Downs...20 21 Rushing...6 4 Passing...13 13 Penalty...1 4 Third Down Efficiency...4-14-29% 6-14-43% Fourth Down Efficiency...2-2-100% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...390 378 Total Offensive Plays...65 65 Avg. Gain Per Play...6.0 4.3 Rushes-Yards...26-148 24-88 Avg. Gain Per Rush...5.7 3.7 Net Passing Yards...242 190 Att-Comp-Int...38-21-1 36-25-0 Avg. Gain Per Pass...6.2 4.6 Sacks Allowed-Yards...1-1 5-46 Punts-Avg...6-39.5 4-41.3 Penalties-Yards...13-121 4-43 Fumbles-Lost...1-0 4-4 Time of Possession...30:03 31:57 LG McCollum NT Young FB Gordon SS Archuleta 49ers Att Yds Avg LG TD Garrison Hearst 11 89 8.1 36 0 Kevan Barlow 11 45 4.1 19t 1 Jeff Garcia 2 14 7.0 8 0 Fred Beasley 2 0 0.0 3 0 Marshall Faulk 18 57 3.2 26 1 Lamar Gordon 6 31 5.2 13 0 49ers Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Jeff Garcia 35 19 222 1/1 2 29 1 Tim Rattay 2 1 15 0/0 0 15 0 Cedrick Wilson 1 1 6 0/0 0 6 0 Marc Bulger 36 25 236 5/46 2 26 0 49ers No Yds Avg LG TD Terrell Owens 5 42 8.4 15 1 Cedrick Wilson 4 57 14.3 29 0 Tai Streets 4 53 13.3 16t 1 Jed Weaver 3 35 11.7 18 0 Kevan Barlow 3 35 11.7 18 0 Garrison Hearst 1 15 15.0 15 0 Jeff Garcia 1 6 6.0 6 0 Torry Holt 6 64 10.7 17 1 Isaac Bruce 6 63 10.5 26 0 Dane Looker 5 47 9.4 19t 1 Marshall Faulk 4 33 8.3 22 0 Lamar Gordon 3 26 8.7 21 0 Cameron Cleeland 1 3 3.0 3 0 49ers No Yds Avg LG TD None Travis Fisher 1 65 65.0 65 0 49ers: Julian Peterson 1-13, Jeff Ulbrich 1-7, Travis Kirschke 1-9, Jamie Winborn 1-9 : Leonard Little 1-1 ACKLES : Robert Thomas 10, Pisa Tinoisamoa 18, Aeneas Williams 6, Tommy Polley 5
Game 3 Seattle Seahawks 24, 23 Seahawks Stadium September 21, 2003 63 degrees The Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 24-23, dropping their record to 1-2. RB Marshall Faulk rushed 15 times for 31 yards and hauled in one pass for six yards, as he moved into fifth place (16, 561) on the NFL s all-time list for total scrimmage yards, passing Thurman Thomas (16,532). The Seahawks jumped out to an early lead when RB Arlen Harris fumbled a P Tom Rouen punt at the Rams four-yard line that was recovered in the end zone by Seattle LB Orlando Huff to give the Seahawks a 7-0 lead. After an interception by LB Tommy Polley, the first of his career, that he returned for four yards, the Rams answered quickly with a six-play, 33-yard drive that ended with a four-yard run by QB Marc Bulger to tie the score, 7-7. With 2:02 left in the first quarter, the Rams took possession at their own 37-yard line where Bulger engineered a 14-play, 63-yard drive that culminated with a seven-yard TD strike to WR Isaac Bruce to extend the lead, 14-7. On their following possession, the Rams took over at their own 29-yard line and drove eight plays, 61 yards to set K Jeff Wilkins up for a 28-yard field goal to extend the Rams lead, 17-7. On the Seahawks ensuing possession, QB Matt Hasselbeck put together an eight-play, 46-yard drive that resulted in a 36-yard field goal by K Josh Brown to narrow the margin going into halftime, 17-10. The Rams started the second-half with possession at their 25-yard line, where Bulger ushered a 10-play, 60-yard drive that resulted in a 33-yard Wilkins field goal to extend the Rams lead, 20-10. On the Seahawks second possession of the third quarter at their own 30-yard line, Hasselbeck compiled a nine-play 70-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson to narrow the margin 23-17. On the Rams ensuing possession, Bulger overthrew a pass intended for TE Brandon Manumaleuna that resulted in an interception by S Reggie Tongue that was returned for no gain. The Seahawks didn t capitalize off the turnover as Brown missed a 35-yard attempt. With 5:27 left in the fourth quarter, S Aeneas Williams defended a fourth and one Hasselbeck pass attempt to Jackson giving the Rams possession at Seattles 41-yard line. After two plays, Bulger attempted a pass to WR Dane Looker, who lost control of the ball as he was hit and was intercepted by LB Anthony Simmons who gained one yard on the return. With 3:15 remaining in regulation, the Seahawks took over at their own 26-yard line. Two plays after the two-minute warning, DT Bryan Young was called for defensive holding on LT Walter Jones on third down, which moved the Seahawks to the eightyard line. Hasselbeck completed a three-yard TD pass to WR Koren Robinson with 1:03 left to play to take the lead 24-23. Bulger attempted two deep passes to WR Torry Holt that were incomplete, resulting in the final margin. Game 4 37, Arizona Cardinals 13 Edward Jones Dome September 28, 2003 75 degrees The Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 37-13, improving their record to 2-2. WR Isaac Bruce became the all-time franchise leader in receiving yards (9,790), as he hauled in four passes for 58 yards with a long of 22. Coming into the game, Bruce only needed 30 yards to pass Rams WR coach Henry Ellard, who previously held the record with 9,731 yards. K Jeff Wilkins converted a 53-yard FG to tie for the third-longest FG in team history and set a new team record for most 50-plus-yard FG s made with nine. In the first quarter, the Rams defense forced a P Scott Player punt that CB DeJuan Groce returned 18 yards for his first career punt return, as the Rams started their first possession of the game at Arizona s 46-yard line. QB Marc Bulger engineered an eight-play, 46-yard scoring drive that resulted in an RB Lamar Gordon three-yard TD run to give the Rams an early lead, 7-0. On the Rams next possession, Bulger marched the Rams down field for a 12-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off with a six-yard TD strike to WR Dane Looker to increase the margin, 14-0. On the Rams first possession of the second quarter, Bulger engineered a 13-play, 63-yard scoring drive that set Jeff Wilkins up for a 24-yard FG to extend the lead, 17-0. On the Cardinals following possession, Cardinals QB Jeff Blake answered back by compiling a 17-play, 64-yard scoring drive resulting in an RB Emmitt Smith one-yard TD run to narrow the margin, 17-7. With :28 remaining in the first half, Bulger was intercepted by Arizona FS Dexter Jackson, who fumbled the ball at Arizona s 35-yard line. Rams C Dave Wohlabaugh recovered the loose ball for no gain to set Wilkins up for a 53-yard FG to extend the Rams lead going into halftime, 20-7. The Rams began the second half on their own 35-yard line as Bulger completed seven of nine passes to compile a 13-play, 52- yard scoring drive that resulted in a Wilkins 31-yard FG to make the score, 23-7. The Cardinals immediately responded on the ensuing kickoff as RB Josh Scobey returned a kickoff 100 yards to narrow the Rams lead, 23-13. On the Cardinals first play of the fourth quarter, DE Leonard Little sacked Blake for a loss of 10 yards causing a fumble that was recovered by DT Brian Young for a gain of 21 yards. The Rams capitalized off the turnover as Bulger engineered a four-play, 22-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt to extend the Rams lead, 30-13. After a Cardinals three and out, the Rams took over at their own 31-yard line as Bulger compiled a final scoring drive of 13 plays, 69 yards that was capped off with Bulger s own two-yard TD run for the final margin, 37-13. 7 10 6 0-23 Seattle 7 3 0 14-24 SEA - Huff fumble recovery in end zone (Brown kick) - Bulger 3-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Bruce 7-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 28 SEA - FG Brown 26 - FG Wilkins 33 - FG Wilkins 33 SEA- Jackson 15-yard pass from Hasselbeck (Brown kick) SEA- Robinson 3-yard pass from Hasselbeck (Brown kick) PAID ATT --- 65,841 HAWKS First Downs...19 20 Rushing...4 6 Passing...14 13 Penalty...1 1 Third Down Efficiency...5-13-38% 7-14-50% Fourth Down Efficiency...0-1-0% 0-1-0% Total Net Yards...308 316 Total Offensive Plays...62 65 Avg. Gain Per Play...5.0 4.9 Rushes-Yards...28-82 22-96 Avg. Gain Per Rush...2.9 4.4 Net Passing Yards...226 220 Att-Comp-Int...34-21-2 39-22-1 Avg. Gain Per Pass...6.6 5.1 Sacks Allowed-Yards...0-0 4-36 Punts-Avg...2-49.0 4-45.3 Penalties-Yards...3-15 4-30 Fumbles-Lost...3-1 1-0 Time of Possession...32:19 27:41 LG McCollum NT Young TE Cleeland SS Archuleta Lamar Gordon 8 41 5.1 12 0 Marshall Faulk 15 31 2.1 13 0 Torry Holt 1 5 5.0 5 0 Isaac Bruce 1 3 3.0 3 0 Marc Bulger 3 2 0.7 3t 1 Seahawks Att Yds Avg LG TD Shaun Alexander 14 58 4.1 17 0 Matt Hasselbeck 5 28 5.6 11 0 Mack Strong 2 6 3.0 7 0 Maurice Morris 1 4 4.0 4 0 Marc Bulger 34 21 226 0/0 1 28 2 Seahawks Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Matt Hasselbeck39 22 256 4/36 2 35 1 Isaac Bruce 5 69 13.8 28 1 Torry Holt 5 68 13.6 17 0 Lamar Gordon 4 25 6.3 15 0 Dane Looker 3 25 8.3 12 0 Cameron Cleeland 1 22 22.0 22 0 Marshall Faulk 1 6 6.0 6 0 Mike Furrey 1 6 6.0 6 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 1 5 5.0 5 0 Seahawks No Yds Avg LG TD Koren Robinson 7 95 13.6 32 1 Bobby Engram 3 35 11.7 13 0 Maurice Morris 3 28 9.3 13 0 Shaun Alexander 3 8 2.7 7 0 Darrell Jackson 2 50 25.0 35 1 Itula Mili 2 34 17.0 25 0 Mack Strong 2 6 3.0 3 0 Tommy Polley 1 4 4.0 4 0 Seahawks No Yds Avg LG TD Anthony Simmons 1 1 1.0 1 0 Reggie Tongue 1 0 0.0 0 0 : Leonard Little 2-20, Robert Thomas 1-10, Ryan Pickett 1-6 Seahawks: None :Adam Archuleta 8, Ryan Pickett 7, Robert Thomas 7, Leonard Little 6, Pisa Tinoisamoa 6, Tommy Polley 5 Arizona 0 7 6 0-13 14 6 3 14-37 - Gordon 3-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Looker 6-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 24 ARI - Smith 1-yard run (Gramatica kick) - FG Wilkins 53 - FG Wilkins 31 ARI - Scobey 100-yard kickoff return (pass failed) - Holt 7-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - Bulger 2-yard run (Wilkins kick) PAID ATT --- 65,758 CARDS First Downs...7 34 Rushing...3 11 Passing...3 19 Penalty...1 4 Third Down Efficiency...0-8-0% 11-17-65% Fourth Down Efficiency...2-2-100% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...161 401 Total Offensive Plays...36 84 Avg. Gain Per Play...4.5 4.8 Rushes-Yards...14-36 41-133 Avg. Gain Per Rush...2.6 3.2 Net Passing Yards...125 268 Att-Comp-Int...21-13-0 42-28-1 Avg. Gain Per Pass...5.7 6.2 Sacks Allowed-Yards...1-10 1-4 Punts-Avg...6-52.0 2-42.0 Penalties-Yards...10-92 5-35 Fumbles-Lost...3-3 2-0 Time of Possession...17:33 42:27 LG McCollum NT Young HB Cleeland SS Archuleta RB Gordon FS A. Williams Cardinals Att Yds Avg LG TD Emmitt Smith 12 25 2.1 7 1 Josh McCown 1 8 8.0 8 0 James Hodgins 1 3 3.0 3 0 Lamar Gordon 21 81 3.9 16 1 Arlen Harris 12 47 3.9 16 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 2 7 3.5 5 0 Cameron Cleeland 1 0 0.0 0 0 Marc Bulger 4-1 -0.2 2t 1 Chris Massey 1-1 -1.0-1 0 Cardinals Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Jeff Blake 17 10 88 1/10 0 24 0 Josh McCown 4 3 47 0/0 0 31 0 Marc Bulger 42 28 272 1/4 2 22 1 Cardinals No Yds Avg LG TD Anquan Boldin 7 86 12.3 31 0 Bryant Johnson 3 40 13.3 24 0 James Hodgins 2 6 3.0 5 0 Marcel Shipp 1 3 3.0 3 0 Torry Holt 12 133 11.1 20 1 Isaac Bruce 4 58 14.5 22 0 Dane Looker 4 27 6.8 11 1 Brandon Manumaleuna 3 21 7.0 11 0 Arlen Harris 3 18 6.0 12 0 Lamar Gordon 1 8 8.0 8 0 Mike Furrey 1 7 7.0 7 0 Cardinals No Yds Avg LG TD Dexter Jackson 1 28 28.0 28 0 None Cardinals: Renaldo Hill 1-4 : Leonard Little 1-10 ACKLES : Robert Thomas 8, Jerametrius Butler 7, Leonard Little 7, Tommy Polley 6, Pisa Tinoisamoa 6, Travis Fisher 5, Grant Wistrom 5
Game 5 36, Atlanta Falcons 0 Edward Jones Dome October 13, 2003 75 degrees The Rams defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 36-0, improving their record to 3-2. The Rams first ever Monday Night Football game coming off a bye week was also their first shutout since 2001 (10/8/01, at Detroit, 35-0), which also fell on Monday Night. WR Torry Holt caught 11 passes for 161 yards and two TDs for his third 100-yard receiving game this season. Holt passed former Rams WR Jack Snow for 5th place on the Rams career reception list. The Rams defense took control early as S Aeneas Williams intercepted a QB Doug Johnson pass in the end zone on the Falcons second possession of the game. With the Rams backed up on their own one-yard line, QB Marc Bulger engineered a 10-play, 89-yard drive that set K Jeff Wilkins up for a 28-yard FG to give the Rams a 3-0 lead. The defense continued to pressure the Falcons in the second quarter as Williams forced and recovered a TE Alge Crumpler fumble on the Rams 39-yard line, which was returned for three yards. The turnover marked the first time in Williams career he has had at least two takeaways in a regular season game. With 5:55 left in the first half, the Rams offense drove 58 yards in 10 plays, ending with a Bulger three-yard TD run to extend the Rams lead, 10-0. With nine seconds remaining in the first half, TE Richard Angulo blocked a K Jay Feely 60-yard FG attempt to go into halftime, 10-0. The Rams opened up the second half with a four-play, 69-yard drive as Bulger threw a 21-yard TD strike to Holt to extend the margin 17-0. With 3:04 remaining in the third quarter, after Falcons CB Ray Buchanan intercepted a Bulger pass on the Falcons one-yard line for no gain, DE Grant Wistrom tackled Falcons RB T.J. Duckett in the end zone for a safety to extend the Rams lead 19-0. At the start of the fourth quarter, Bulger engineered a five-play, 69-yard drive in which he connected with Holt again on a 14-yard TD pass to further the margin, 26-0. After Atlanta turned the ball over on downs, Bulger ushered another scoring drive of six plays, 11-yards to set Wilkins up for a 38-yard FG to extend the Rams lead, 29-0. On Atlanta s ensuing possession, with 1:47 remaining in the contest, CB Travis Fisher intercepted a QB Kurt Kittner pass at the 26- yard line and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown, resulting in the final margin. Game 6 34, Green Bay Packers 24 Edward Jones Dome October 19, 2003 75 degrees The Rams defeated the Green Bay Packers, 34-24, improving their record to 4-2 and their home winning streak to 10. WR Isaac Bruce reached another milestone by becoming the 18th player in NFL history to gain 10,000 career receiving yards. Bruce, who caught nine passes for 129 yards, reached the milestone as he caught a seven-yard pass from QB Marc Bulger with 12:48 remaining in regulation. RB Arlen Harris scored his first NFL touchdown of his career as he rushed 18 times for 85 yards. The Packers capitalized off a QB Marc Bulger interception by S Marques Anderson early in the first quarter that set K Ryan Longwell up for a 33-yard field goal to give the Packers a 3-0 lead. Rams LB Tommy Polley recovered a Green Bay CB Al Harris muffed punt at Green Bay s 40-yard line. To end a three-play, 40 yards drive, Bulger threw a 39-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt for the Rams first lead of the game, 10-7. On the Rams next possession, Harris scored his first career TD on a three-yard run to extend the Rams lead, 14-3. At the beginning of the second quarter, Bulger was intercepted by Packers CB Al Harris, giving Green Bay possession at the Rams 47-yard line. Packers QB Brett Favre ushered a three-play, 47-yard drive ending with a 21-yard TD pass to RB Ahman Green to narrow the margin, 14-10. With 4:14 remaining in the second quarter, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa forced a Green fumble that was recovered by CB Jerametrius Butler. The Rams capitalized off the turnover as Bulger engineered a 10-play, 71- yard drive that resulted in a nine-yard TD strike to Holt, extending the lead, 21-10. The Packers opened up the second half with a six-play, 71-yard scoring drive in which Favre connected with FB William Henderson for a one-yard TD to narrow the lead, 21-17. With 6:55 remaining in the third quarter, Bulger engineered a five-play, 71-yard scoring drive that ended with a 20-yard TD strike to WR Dane Looker to extend the margin, 28-17. On the Rams second possession of the fourth quarter, Bulger marched the Rams downfield in six plays for 41 yards resulting in a K Jeff Wilkins 39-yard field goal to extend the Rams lead 31-17. On the Packers ensuing possession, DE Leonard Little intercepted a Favre screen pass, returning it 28 yards, setting Wilkins up for a 43-yard FG to extend the margin 34-17. With 1:48 remaining in the game, Packers RB Najeh Davenport ran for a 76-yard TD resulting in the final score, 34-24. Atlanta 0 0 0 0-0 3 7 9 17-36 - FG Wilkins 28 - Bulger 3-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Holt 21-yard pas from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - Duckett tackled in end zone by Wistrom for safety - Holt 14-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 38 - Fisher 74-yard interception return (Wilkins kick) PAID ATT --- 66,075 FALCONS First Downs...9 26 Rushing...4 9 Passing...5 17 Penalty...0 0 Third Down Efficiency...4-13-31% 6-11-55% Fourth Down Efficiency...0-0-0% 0-1-0% Total Net Yards...209 496 Total Offensive Plays...52 66 Avg. Gain Per Play...4.0 7.5 Rushes-Yards...21-73 31-119 Avg. Gain Per Rush...3.5 3.8 Net Passing Yards...136 377 Att-Comp-Int...28-12-2 35-24-2 Avg. Gain Per Pass...4.4 40.8 Sacks Allowed-Yards...3-19 0-0 Punts-Avg...6-40.8 2-36.0 Penalties-Yards...3-30 6-45 Fumbles-Lost...2-2 2-1 Time of Possession...22:40 37:20 HB Cleeland SS Archuleta RB Gordon FS A. Williams Falcons Att Yds Avg LG TD T.J. Duckett 16 50 3.1 10 0 Warrick Dunn 5 23 4.6 13 0 Lamar Gordon 19 92 4.8 20 0 Arlen Harris 10 23 2.3 9 0 Marc Bulger 2 4 2.0 3t 1 Falcons Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Doug Johnson23 10 134 2/14 0 33 1 Kurt Kittner 5 2 21 0/0 0 14 1 Woddrow Dantzler 0 0 0 1/5 0 0 0 Marc Bulger 34 23 352 0/0 2 39 2 Isaac Bruce 1 1 25 0/0 0 25 0 Falcons No Yds Avg LG TD Brian Finneran 3 55 18.3 30 0 Warrick Dunn 3 18 6.0 9 0 Alge Crumpler 2 30 15.0 24 0 Quentin McCord 1 33 33.0 33 0 Peerless Price 1 8 8.0 8 0 T.J. Duckett 1 7 7.0 7 0 Justin Griffith 1 4 4.0 4 0 Torry Holt 11 161 14.6 28 2 Isaac Bruce 4 87 21.8 33 0 Dane Looker 4 43 10.8 13 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 3 56 18.7 39 0 Arlen Harris 1 26 26.0 26 0 Cameron Cleeland 1 4 4.0 4 0 Falcons No Yds Avg LG TD Tod McBride 1 4 4.0 4 0 Ray Buchanan 1 2 2.0 2 0 Travis Fisher 1 74 74.0 74t 1 Aeneas Williams 1 4 4.0 4 0 Falcons: None : Leonard Little 1-11, Jamie Duncan 1-5, Bryce Fisher 1-3 : Adam Archuleta 8, Leonard Little 8, Pisa Tinoisamoa 7, Ryan Pickett 6, Brian Young 6 Green Bay 3 7 7 7-24 14 7 7 6-34 GB - FG Longwell 33 - Holt 39-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - Harris 3-yard run (Wilkins kick) GB - Green 21-yard pass from Favre (Longwell kick) - Holt 9-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) GB - Henderson 1-yard pass from Favre (Longwell kick) - Looker 20-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 39 - FG Wilkins 43 GB - Davenport 76-yard run (Longwell kick) PAID ATT --- 66,201 PACKERS First Downs...22 22 Rushing...4 7 Passing...16 13 Penalty...2 2 Third Down Efficiency...4-11-36% 5-12-42% Fourth Down Efficiency...1-1-100% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...372 370 Total Offensive Plays...59 63 Avg. Gain Per Play...6.3 5.9 Rushes-Yards...26-116 27-131 Avg. Gain Per Rush...4.5 4.9 Net Passing Yards...256 239 Att-Comp-Int...32-23-1 34-22-1 Avg. Gain Per Pass...7.8 6.6 Sacks Allowed-Yards...1-12 2-8 Punts-Avg...4-45.8 4-43.3 Penalties-Yards...6-40 8-64 Fumbles-Lost...3-3 3-0 Time of Possession...29:11 30:49 HB Cleeland SS Coady RB Gordon FS A. Williams Packers Att Yds Avg LG TD Najeh Davenport 5 74 14.8 76t 1 Ahman Green 20 35 1.8 10 0 Donald Driver 1 7 7.0 7 0 Arlen Harris 18 85 4.7 18 1 Marc Bulger 4 26 6.5 28 0 Lamar Gordon 4 20 5.0 6 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 1 0 0.0 0 0 Packers Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Brett Favre 32 23 268 1/12 2 26 1 Marc Bulger 34 22 247 2/8 3 39 2 Packers No Yds Avg LG TD Ahman Green 6 62 10.3 21t 1 Donald Driver 4 53 13.3 19 0 Bubba Franks 4 26 6.5 15 0 David Martin 2 27 13.5 14 0 William Henderson 2 15 7.5 14 1 Javon Walker 1 26 26.0 26 0 Robert Ferguson 1 25 25.0 25 0 Wesley Walls 1 16 16.0 16 0 Najeh Davenport 1 10 10.0 10 0 Antonio Freeman 1 8 8.0 8 0 Isaac Bruce 9 129 14.3 26 0 Torry Holt 4 67 16.8 39t 2 Brandon Manumaleuna 4 23 5.8 20 0 Dane Looker 2 31 15.5 20t 1 Arlen Harris 2 2 1.0 2 0 Shaun McDonald 1-5 -5.0-5 0 Packers No Yds Avg LG TD Marques Anderson 1 3 3.0 3 0 Al Harris 1 0 0.0 0 0 Leonard Little 1 28 28.0 28 0 Packers: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila 1-5, Cletidus Hunt 1-3 : Tyoka Jackson 0.5-6, Damione Lewis 0.5-6 : Robert Thomas 12, Jerametrius Butler 8, Rich Coady 7, Pisa Tinoisamoa 7, Tommy Polley 6
Game 7 33, Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Heinz Field October 26, 2003 59 degrees The Rams defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 33-21, improving their record to 5-2 and extending their win steak this season to four. The Rams have scored 30 or more points the last four games this season for the first time since the final four games of the 2001 season. Rams rookie RB Arlen Harris made his first NFL career start, rushing 34 times for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Harris was the first player to rush for three TDs since RB Marshall Faulk against the Seattle Seahawks last season (10/20/02). WR Torry Holt had his fourth 100- yard receiving game this season as caught seven passes for 174 yards and one touchdown. The Rams jumped out to an early lead as Rams QB Marc Bulger drove the Rams 84 yards in four plays resulting in a 36-yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt, to give the Rams a 7-0 lead. At the end of the first quarter, Steelers WR Antwaan Randle-El returned a P Sean Landeta punt 84 yards to tie the score, 7-7. At the start of the second quarter Bulger engineered an eight-play, 89-yard drive, which resulted in a one-yard TD run by Harris to give the Rams the lead again, 14-7. On the Steelers ensuing possession, QB Tommy Maddox drove the Steelers 76 yards in five plays that resulted in a nine-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward to even the margin, 14-14. The Rams answered back as Bulger ushered a 12-play, 71-yard drive to set K Jeff Wilkins up for a 20-yard field goal to take over the lead 17-14. The Steelers began the second half with possession at their own 21-yard line. LB Jamie Duncan had his first interception as a Ram after CB Jerametrius Butler tipped a Maddox pass to give the Rams possession at Pittsburgh s 30-yard line. The Rams capitalized off the turnover as Bulger drove nine plays, 26 yards to set Wilkins up for a 22-yard field goal to extend the lead, 20-14. On the following possession, Maddox put together a four-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 22-yard TD pass to Ward to give the Steelers the lead, 21-20. On the ensuing possession with 6:45 left in the third quarter, Bulger ushered a seven-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a nine-yard TD run by Harris to take the lead, 27-21. After the Rams defense forced a Steelers P Josh Miller punt, the Rams took over possession at their own 40-yard line. Bulger engineered an 11-play, 60-yard drive that was capped off by a nine-yard TD run by Harris for the final margin. Game 8 San Francisco 49ers 30, 10 3Com Park November 2, 2003 58 degrees The Rams lost to their NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers, 30-10, dropping their record to 5-3 and 2-2 in their division. WR Torry Holt had his second 200-yard receiving game of his career as he hauled in 11 catches for 200 yards with one touchdown. Holt moved to fourth place on the Rams all-time list for receiving yards (6,066), passing former Rams WR Jack Snow. Holt achieved the milestone on a 41-yard TD strike from Marc Bulger with 13:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. QB Marc Bulger had his third 300-yard passing game this season and sixth of his career, completing 26 of 42 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown. The 49ers scored first, as WR Cedrick Wilson returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to give the 49ers an early lead, 7-0. On the Rams ensuing possession, QB Marc Bulger completed four of five passes to drive the Rams 53 yards, setting K Jeff Wilkins up for a 39-yard field goal, to narrow the margin, 7-3. On the 49ers following possession, QB Tim Rattay ushered an eight-play, 72- yard drive that ended with a five-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens to extend their lead, 14-3. At the start of the second quarter, Rattay drove 66 yards in 12 plays, resulting in a K Todd Peterson 44-yard field goal to extend the 49ers lead, 17-3. On the 49ers next possession, Rattay engineered a six-play, 90- yard drive that was capped off with a 27-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Lloyd to extend the margin, 24-3. The Rams began the second half at their own 26-yard line, when 49er DT Bryant Young sacked Bulger, forcing a fumble, and giving the 49ers possession at the Rams 12-yard line. In three plays, Rattay drove the 49ers 12 yards for a five-yard TD pass to WR Tai Streets, extending the 49ers lead, 30-3. At the start of the fourth quarter, Rattay had his pass tipped by LB Robert Thomas and intercepted by LB Pisa Tinoisamoa, his first career interception. The Rams capitalized off the turnover as Bulger led a four-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 41-yard TD strike to Holt, resulting in the final margin. 7 10 10 6-33 Pittsburgh 7 7 7 0-21 - Holt 36-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) PIT - Randle El 84-yard punt return (Reed kick) - Harris 1-yard run (Wilkins kick) PIT - Ward 9-yard pass from Maddox (Reed kick) - FG Wilkins 20 - FG Wilkins 22 PIT - Ward 22-yard pass from Maddox (Reed kick) - Harris 9-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Harris 9-yard run (run failed) PAID ATT --- 62,665 STEELERS First Downs...26 11 Rushing...7 2 Passing...15 8 Penalty...4 1 Third Down Efficiency...5-16-31% 1-10-10% Fourth Down Efficiency...1-1-100% 0-1-0% Total Net Yards...448 245 Total Offensive Plays...76 48 Avg. Gain Per Play...5.9 5.1 Rushes-Yards...37-89 18-94 Avg. Gain Per Rush...2.4 5.2 Net Passing Yards...359 151 Att-Comp-Int...37-22-0 28-12-3 Avg. Gain Per Pass...9.2 5.0 Sacks Allowed-Yards...2-16 2-8 Punts-Avg...6-42.0 6-43.0 Penalties-Yards...8-45 5-37 Fumbles-Lost...0-0 2-1 Time of Possession...40:00 20:00 TE Cleeland WLB Thomas QB Bulger RC Groce HB Harris SS Coady RB Manumaleuna FS A. Williams Arlen Harris 34 81 2.4 12 3 Marc Bulger 3 8 2.7 11 0 Steelers Att Yds Avg LG TD Jerome Bettis 12 42 3.5 8 0 Antwaan Randle El 2 39 19.5 32 0 Amos Zereoue 2 6 3.0 7 0 Tommy Maddox 1 4 4.0 4 0 Hines Ward 1 3 3.0 3 0 Marc Bulger 37 22 375 2/16 1 48 0 Steelers Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Tommy Maddox 28 12 159 2/8 2 45 3 Torry Holt 7 174 24.9 48 1 Arlen Harris 4 15 3.8 5 0 Isaac Bruce 3 73 24.3 29 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 3 32 10.7 30 0 Dane Looker 3 27 9.0 22 0 Cameron Cleeland 2 54 27.0 28 0 Steelers No Yds Avg LG TD Hines Ward 5 90 18.0 45 2 Amos Zereoue 2 14 7.0 9 0 Antwaan Randle El 2 13 6.5 7 0 Jerame Tuman 1 21 21.0 21 0 Dan Kreider 1 15 15.0 15 0 Plaxico Burress 1 6 6.0 6 0 DeJuan Groce 1 7 7.0 7 0 Aeneas Williams 1 5 5.0 5 0 Jamie Duncan 1 0 0.0 0 0 Steelers No Yds Avg LG TD None : Leonard Little 1-5, Grant Wistrom 1-3 Steelers: Joey Porter 2-16 : Leonard Little 6, Rich Coady 5, Robert Thomas 5, Pisa Tinoisamoa 5, Brian Young 5, Jerametrius Butler 4, Grant Wistrom 4 3 0 0 7-10 San Francisco 14 10 6 0-30 SF - Wilson 95-yard kickoff return - FG Wilkins 39 SF - Owens 5-yard pass from Rattay (Peterson kick) SF - FG Peterson 44 SF - Lloyd 27-yard pass from Rattay (Peterson kick) SF - Streets 5-yard pass from Rattay (Peterson kick) - Holt 41-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) PAID ATT --- 67,812 49ERS First Downs...18 24 Rushing...0 9 Passing...16 13 Penalty...2 2 Third Down Efficiency...3-9-33% 9-13-69% Fourth Down Efficiency...0-1-0% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...340 389 Total Offensive Plays...55 65 Avg. Gain Per Play...6.2 6.0 Rushes-Yards...8-9 35-165 Avg. Gain Per Rush...1.1 4.7 Net Passing Yards...331 224 Att-Comp-Int...42-26-2 29-19-1 Avg. Gain Per Pass...7.0 7.5 Sacks Allowed-Yards...5-47 1-12 Punts-Avg...4-42.5 2-38.5 Penalties-Yards...7-50 7-39 Fumbles-Lost...1-1 1-1 Time of Possession...25:41 34:19 WR Holt LE Jackson TE Cleeland WLB Thomas HB Harris SS Coady RB Manumaleuna FS A. Williams Arlen Harris 8 9 1.1 4 0 49ers Att Yds Avg LG TD Garrison Hearst 17 80 4.7 14 0 Kevan Barlow 14 76 5.4 11 0 Fred Beasley 1 5 5.0 5 0 Tim Rattay 3 4 1.3 6 0 Marc Bulger 42 26 378 5/47 1 41t 2 49ers Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Tim Rattay 29 19 236 1/12 3 27t 1 Torry Holt 11 200 18.2 41t 1 Isaac Bruce 4 93 23.3 41 0 Kevin Curtis 4 13 3.3 8 0 Arlen Harris 3 34 11.3 24 0 Dane Looker 3 32 10.7 18 0 Spencer Nead 1 6 6.0 6 0 49ers No Yds Avg LG TD Fred Beasley 3 46 15.3 23 0 Kevan Barlow 3 31 10.3 18 0 Tai Streets 3 26 8.7 18 1 Brandon Lloyd 2 35 17.5 27t 1 Cedrick Wilson 2 31 15.5 20 0 Terrell Owens 2 17 8.5 12 1 Jed Weaver 2 16 8.0 13 0 Aaron Walker 1 22 22.0 22 0 Garrison Hearst 1 12 12.0 12 0 Pisa Tinoisamoa 1 6 6.0 6 0 49ers No Yds Avg LG TD Tony Parrish 1 14 14.0 14 0 Mike Rumph 1 2 2.0 2 0 : Tyoka Jackson 1-12 49ers: Mike Rumph 1-12, Jeff Ulbrich 1-11, Julian Peterson 1-9, Jamie Winborn 1-8, Bryant Young 1-7 : Robert Thomas 11, Pisa Tinoisamoa 11, Rich Coady 9, Jerametrius Butler 7, Bryce Fisher 7, Tyoka Jackson 7, Ryan Pickett 7, Brian Young 7
Game 9 33, Baltimore Ravens 22 Edward Jones Dome November 9, 2003 75 degrees The Rams defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 33-22, improving their record to 6-3, tying them for first place in the NFC West. K Jeff Wilkins made field goals of 49, 48, 46 and 27 yards, setting an NFL record for most field goals made in a quarter. WR Torry Holt, who caught three passes for 38 yards, registered his fourth 1,000-yard receiving season on a 24-yard pass from QB Marc Bulger in the first quarter. At the beginning of the first quarter, CB Jerametrius Butler intercepted a QB Kyle Boller pass on third down, returning it 45 yards. The Rams capitalized off the turnover, driving 36 yards in four plays, resulting in a five-yard TD run by RB Marshall Faulk to give the Rams an early lead, 7-0. On the Ravens ensuing possession, the Rams defense forced a three and out, where a P David Zastudil punt took a Rams bounce that WR Dane Looker returned for 44 yards to Baltimore s oneyard line. The following play, Faulk ran for a one-yard touchdown to extend the lead, 14-0. CB DeJuan Groce fumbled a Zastudil punt that was recovered by Baltimore S Gerome Sapp for no return, giving the Ravens possession at the Rams 15-yard line. In four plays, the Ravens offense set K Matt Stover up for a 41-yard field goal to narrow the margin, 14-3. With 1:01 into the second quarter, Boller ushered an eight-play, 26-yard drive resulting in a K Matt Stover 25-yard field goal to narrow the lead, 14-6. On Baltimore s next possession, Boller drove the Ravens 45 yards in five plays, resulting in a RB Jamal Lewis two-yard TD run to narrow the margin, 14-12. With 5:21 left in the first half, S Adam Archuleta sacked, forced and recovered a Boller fumble, returning it 45 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead, 21-12. Early in the third quarter, Baltimore S Chad Williams recovered a Groce muffed return, giving the Ravens possession at the Rams 28-yard line. In four plays, the Ravens set Stover up for a 41-yard field goal to give the Ravens their first lead of the game, 22-21. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Bulger engineered a seven-play, 32-yard drive that resulted in a 49-yard goal by Wilkins to take the lead back, 24-22. After LB Tommy Polley intercepted a QB Chris Redman pass, Bulger completed two passes to set Wilkins up for a 46-yard field goal to further the margin, 27-22. LB Pisa Tinoisamoa forced a Lewis fumble, recovered by DT Brian Young for no gain. Young recovered three fumbles, tying the NFL single-game record and tying the franchise season record with five. Faulk ran three times for nine yards, setting Wilkins up for a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead, 30-22. With 3:39 left in the contest, Bulger engineered a seven-play, 26-yard drive that was capped off by a 27-yard Wilkins field goal, resulting in the final margin. 33-22. Game 10 23, Chicago Bears 21 Soldier Field November 16, 2003 48 degrees The Rams defeated the Chicago Bears, 21-23, improving their record to 7-3 and sustaining a tie for first place in the NFC west. RB Marshall Faulk ran 20 times for 103 yards, as it was his 31st career 100-yard rushing game and the Rams first 100-yard rushing game this year. Faulk also had a long run of 52 yards, the Rams longest run from scrimmage this season. WR Torry Holt hauled in nine catches for 124 yards and one touchdown, recording his sixth 100-yard game this season. WR Isaac Bruce hauled in nine passes for 54 yards, three of those on the game-winning drive and one on a third and four to set K Jeff Wilkins up for the game-winning field goal. Wilkins kicked a 31-yard game-winning field goal with :41 left in the contest, his second game-winning field goal this season. After several changes of possession due to back to back turnovers, the Rams were first to score as QB Marc Bulger ushered a five-play, 19-yard drive resulting in a 41-yard field goal by Wilkins to take the lead, 3-0, with 1:19 left in the first quarter. After an interception by LB Tommy Polley to give the Rams possession back, the Rams were forced to punt at their own 12-yard line. Bears CB R.W. McQuarters returned a P Sean Landeta punt 60 yards for a touchdown to take the lead, 7-3. On Chicago s ensuing possession, QB Chris Chandler drove the Bears 47 yards in nine plays ending with a one-yard TD run by RB Anthony Thomas to extend the lead, 14-3. With 7:11 left in the third quarter, Bulger engineered a six-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a fouryard TD strike to Holt to narrow the margin, 14-10. On the ensuing kickoff, RB Arlen Harris recovered an onside kick by Wilkins, giving the Rams possession at their own 41-yard line. Bulger led a 13-play, 59- yard drive, resulting in a four-yard TD pass to TE Brandon Manumaleuna to take the lead again, 17-14. After the Rams defense forced a Chicago punt, Bulger ushered an eight-play, 30-yard drive to set Wilkins up for a 44-yard field goal to further the margin, 20-14. Chicago answered back on the following possession as Chandler drove the Bears 62 yards in three plays, ending with an 11-yard TD pass to WR Dez White to take the lead, 21-20. With 2:41 left in the game, Bulger completed seven out of ten passes and engineered a 13-play, 67-yard drive to set Wilkins up for a 31-yard game-winning field goal for the final margin, 23-21. Baltimore 3 16 3 0-22 14 7 0 12-33 - Faulk 5-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Faulk 1-yard run (Wilkins kick) BAL - FG Stover 41 BAL - FG Stover 25 BAL - Lewis 2-yard run (pass failed) - Archuleta 45-yard fumble return (Wilkins kick) BAL - Ogden 1-yard pass from Boller (Stover kick) BAL - FG Stover 41 - FG Wilkins 49 - FG Wilkins 46 - FG Wilkins 48 - FG Wilkins 27 PAID ATT --- 66,085 RAVENS First Downs...16 7 Rushing...5 4 Passing...10 3 Penalty...1 0 Third Down Efficiency...3-16-19% 3-14-21% Fourth Down Efficiency...0-1-0% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...267 121 Total Offensive Plays...78 51 Avg. Gain Per Play...3.4 2.4 Rushes-Yards...38-145 21-47 Avg. Gain Per Rush...3.8 2.2 Net Passing Yards...122 74 Att-Comp-Int...33-17-3 26-13-2 Avg. Gain Per Pass...3.1 2.5 Sacks Allowed-Yards...7-48 4-36 Punts-Avg...6-40.7 7-43.9 Penalties-Yards...10-80 7-75 Fumbles-Lost...5-4 2-2 Time of Possession...37:21 22:39 WR Holt LE Jackson RT Turley MLB Polley WR Looker WLB Thomas WR Curtis SS Archuleta Ravens Att Yds Avg LG TD Jamal Lewis 27 111 4.1 23 1 Chester Taylor 4 18 4.5 6 0 Todd Heap 1 5 5.0 5 0 Chris Redman 2 4 2.0 4 0 Alan Ricard 2 4 2.0 3 0 Kyle Boller 1 2 2.0 2 0 Travis Taylor 1 1 1.0 1 0 Marshall Faulk 20 48 2.4 16 2 Marc Bulger 1-1 -1.0-1 0 Ravens Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Kyle Boller 21 10 112 2/10 1 40 1 Chris Redman 12 7 58 5/38 0 16 2 Marc Bulger 26 13 110 4/36 0 24 2 Ravens No Yds Avg LG TD Todd Heap 6 49 8.2 14 0 Chester Taylor 3 10 3.3 7 0 Travis Taylor 2 65 32.5 40 0 Jamal Lewis 2 22 11.0 16 0 Frank Sanders 1 10 10.0 10 0 Marcus Robinson 1 8 8.0 8 0 Terry Jones 1 5 5.0 5 0 Jonathan Ogden 1 1 1.0 1t 1 Torry Holt 3 38 12.7 24 0 Dane Looker 3 38 12.7 24 0 Marshall Faulk 3 6 2.0 3 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 2 15 7.5 10 0 Isaac Bruce 2 13 6.5 8 0 Ravens No Yds Avg LG TD Ray Lewis 1 18 18.0 18 0 Ed Reed 1 0 0.0 0 0 Jerametrius Butler 2 59 29.5 45 0 Tommy Polley 1 22 22.0 22 0 Ravens: Anthony Weaver 2-17, Peter Boulware 1-9, Ray Lewis 0.5-5, Tom Knight 0.5-5 : Tyoka Jackson 2-15, Grant Wistrom 1.5-5.5, Robert Thomas 1-10, Adam Archuleta 1-8, Bryce Fisher 1-6, Brian Young 0.5-3.5 :Grant Wistrom 17, Tommy Polley 15, Aeneas Williams 12 3 0 7 13-23 Chicago 0 14 0 7-21 - FG Wilkins 41 CHI - McQuarters 60-yard punt return (Edinger kick) CHI - Thomas 1-yard run (Edinger kick) - Holt 4-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - Manumaleuna 4-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 44 CHI - White 11-yard pass from Chandler (Edinger kick) - FG Wilkins 31 PAID ATT --- 61,820 BEARS First Downs...22 13 Rushing...4 4 Passing...15 9 Penalty...3 0 Third Down Efficiency...5-16-31% 5-16-31% Fourth Down Efficiency...2-2-100% 1-2-50% Total Net Yards...320 241 Total Offensive Plays...75 59 Avg. Gain Per Play...4.3 4.1 Rushes-Yards...25-112 26-95 Avg. Gain Per Rush...4.5 3.7 Net Passing Yards...208 146 Att-Comp-Int...46-29-2 32-16-2 Avg. Gain Per Pass...4.2 4.4 Sacks Allowed-Yards...4-32 1-7 Punts-Avg...6-43.0 7-41.3 Penalties-Yards...7-45 6-47 Fumbles-Lost...2-1 1-0 Time of Possession...32:13 27:47 WR Holt LE Jackson TE Cleeland WLB Polley FB ManumaleunaSS Archuleta Marshall Faulk 20 103 5.2 52 0 Lamar Gordon 2 10 5.0 6 0 Mike Furrey 2 4 2.0 2 0 Cameron Cleeland 1-5 -5.0-5 0 Bears Att Yds Avg LG TD Anthony Thomas 23 92 4.0 25 1 Chris Chandler 2 2 2.0 2 0 Rabih Abdullah 1 1 1.0 1 0 Marc Bulger 46 29 240 4/32 2 24 2 Bears Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Chris Chandler 32 16 153 1/7 1 27 2 Torry Holt 9 124 13.8 24 1 Isaac Bruce 9 54 6.0 16 0 Dane Looker 3 27 9.0 11 0 Marshall Faulk 3 21 7.0 12 0 Mike Furrey 2 14 7.0 7 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 2 7 3.5 4t 1 Adam Timmerman 1-7 -7.0-7 0 Bears No Yds Avg LG TD Marty Booker 5 60 12.0 24 0 Desmond Clark 4 44 11.0 27 0 Dez White 4 39 9.8 11t 1 Stanley Pritchett 2 6 3.0 4 0 David Terrell 1 4 4.0 4 0 Jerametrius Butler 1 0 0.0 0 0 Tommy Polley 1 0 0.0 0 0 Bears No Yds Avg LG TD Jerry Azumah 1 2 2.0 2 0 Charles Tillman 1 0 0.0 0 0 : Brian Young 0.5-3.5, Grant Wistrom 0.5-3.5 Bears: Alex Brown 1-11, Alfonso Boone 1-8, Michael Haynes 1-7, Jerry Azumah 1-6 ACKLES : Brian Young 16, Tommy Polley 11, Ryan Pickett 10, Travis Fisher 9
Game 11 30, Arizona Cardinals 24 Sun Devil Stadium November 23, 2003 58 degrees The Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 30-27, improving their record to 8-3 and putting them in first place in the NFC West. RB Marshall Faulk ran 24 times for 100 yards and one touchdown for his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance this season. The Rams are 21-0 when Faulk rushes for at least 100 yards. WR Torry Holt hauled in nine catches for 145 yards, registering his seventh 100-yard game this season as he caught three passes on the final drive of regulation to set K Jeff Wilkins up for a 24-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. WR Isaac Bruce caught seven passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. K Jeff Wilkins made a 49-yard game-winning field goal for his second consecutive game-winning field goal, third this season, seventh as a Ram and eighth of his career. After LB Pisa Tinoisamoa intercepted a QB Jeff Blake pass that was tipped by DT Jimmy Kennedy, the Rams took possession at Arizona s 39-yard line as QB Marc Bulger ushered a seven play, 39-yard drive ending with a oneyard TD run by RB Marshall Faulk to take the lead, 7-0. On the following possession, the Rams stopped RB Marcel Shipp on fourth-and-two to give the Rams the possession at their own 36-yard line. In four plays, Bulger drove the Rams 64 yards resulting in a 14-yard TD strike to WR Isaac Bruce to extend the lead, 14-0. The Cardinals capitalized off a CB David Barrett interception as Blake drove the Cardinals 76 yards in 10 plays ending in a K Neil Rackers 22-yard field goal to narrow the margin, 14-3. On the Rams following possession, Bulger was intercepted by CB Renaldo Hill, returning it 70 yards for a touchdown to narrow the lead, 14-10. The Rams answered back on their following possession as Bulger engineered an eight-play, 64-yard drive resulting with a 29-yard field goal by Wilkins to go into halftime with the lead, 17-10. At the start of the second half, CB Travis Fisher intercepted a Blake pass, returning it 57 yards for a touchdown to further the margin, 24-10. On the last play of the third quarter, Blake threw a 54- yard TD pass to WR Anquan Boldin to narrow the lead, 24-17. CB Renaldo Hill intercepted another Bulger pass as Blake took possession at the Rams 22-yard line and drove the Cardinals 22 yards in six plays ending with a threeyard TD pass to Boldin to tie the score at 24. After Bulger fumbled at the Rams 19-yard line, Blake and the Cardinals took possession at the 19-yard line, driving nine yards to set Rackers up for a 27-yard field goal to take the lead, 27-24. With 3:23 remaining in regulation, Bulger engineered a 16-play, 82-yard drive to set Wilkins up for a 24-yard field goal to tie the score, 27-27, as time expired. In overtime, the Rams won possession first as Bulger completed three of four passes for 55 yards to set Wilkins up for a 49-yard game-winning field goal resulting in the final margin. Game 12 48, Minnesota Vikings 17 Edward Jones Dome November 30, 2003 72 degrees The Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 48-17, staying in first place in the NFC West and tying for first place in the NFC. RB Marshall Faulk reached achieved a milestone, rushing 17 times for 108 yards and three touchdowns, surpassing Jim Brown (126) for fifth place (127) on the NFL s all-time list for touchdowns. Faulk rushed for his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance this season, marking the fourth time as a Ram he has posted at least three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. DE Leonard Little registered four sacks and two forced fumbles, reaching a single-game career high for sacks (second in Rams history). After LB Jamie Duncan blocked a P Eddie Johnson punt (recovered by CB Kevin Garrett), giving the Rams possession at Minnesota s 18-yard line, Faulk ran for an 18-yard touchdown to take the lead, 7-0. On the Rams next possession, QB Marc Bulger ushered a 12-play, 52-yard drive to set K Jeff Wilkins up for a 28-yard field goal to extend the lead, 10-0. Minnesota answered back on their ensuing possession as QB Daunte Culpepper drove the Vikings 71 yards in eight plays, culminating with a 15-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss to narrow the lead, 10-7. On the Rams following possession, Bulger engineered an eight-play, 83-yard drive resulting in a four-yard TD strike to expand the lead, 17-7. On Minnesota s following possession, Culpepper put together a 12-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal to narrow the margin, 17-10. On the Rams ensuing possession, S Brian Russell picked off a QB Marc Bulger pass to give the Vikings possession at the Rams 41-yard line with 4:10 remaining in the first half. Culpepper drove the Vikings 41 yards in seven plays ending with a RB Moe Williams one-yard TD run, tying the score at 17. With: 47 remaining in the first half, Bulger ushered a four-play, 48-yard drive to set Wilkins up for a 51-yard field goal (Wilkins 10th 50+yarder of career) to take the lead going into halftime, 20-17. On Minnesota s first possession of the second half, the Vikings botched a fake field goal, giving the Rams possession at the their own 25-yard line. Bulger drove the Rams 75 yards in five plays ending in a fiveyard TD run by Faulk, to further the margin, 27-17. On Minnesota s ensuing possession, LB Tommy Polley tipped a Culpepper pass that was intercepted by DE Tyoka Jackson (first of career) to give the Rams possession at Minnesota s 12-yard line where Bulger ran into the end zone from 12 yards out to expand the lead, 34-17. On the Vikings next possession, DE Leonard Little sacked and caused a Culpepper fumble for a five-yard loss that was recovered by S Aeneas Williams, returning it 90 yards to further the lead 41-17. On the Rams next possession, Faulk ran five times for 52 yards, ending the drive with a seven-yard TD run resulting in the final margin. 14 3 7 3 3-30 Arizona 0 10 7 10 0-27 - Faulk 1-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Bruce 14-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) ARI - FG Rackers 22 ARI - Hill 70-yard interception return (Rackers kick) - FG Wilkins 29 - Fisher 57-yard interception return (Wilkins kick) ARI - Boldin 54-yard pass from Blake (Rackers kick) ARI - Boldin 3-yard pass from Blake (Rackers kick) ARI - FG Rackers 27 - FG Wilkins 24 - FG Wilkins 49 PAID ATT --- 61,820 CARDS First Downs...26 15 Rushing...10 7 Passing...15 8 Penalty...1 0 Third Down Efficiency...7-13-54% 7-14-50% Fourth Down Efficiency...1-1-100% 0-2-0% Total Net Yards...415 358 Total Offensive Plays...74 58 Avg. Gain Per Play...5.6 6.2 Rushes-Yards...26-117 30-166 Avg. Gain Per Rush...4.5 5.5 Net Passing Yards...298 192 Att-Comp-Int...44-28-4 28-15-2 Avg. Gain Per Pass...6.2 6.9 Sacks Allowed-Yards...4-31 0-0 Punts-Avg...3-51.0 3-40.7 Penalties-Yards...3-25 8-60 Fumbles-Lost...1-1 0-0 Time of Possession...33:25 31:13 WR Holt LE B. Fisher RT Turley WLB Polley TE ManumaleunaLC Butler WR Bruce RC T. Fisher QB Bulger SS Sehorn FB Goodspeed FS A. Williams RB Faulk S Archuleta Marshall Faulk 24 100 4.2 17 1 Marc Bulger 1 18 18.0 18 0 Arlen Harris 1-1 -1.0-1 0 Cardinals Att Yds Avg LG TD Marcel Shipp 24 95 4.0 14 0 Jeff Blake 3 31 10.3 19 0 Anquan Boldin 2 28 14.0 23 0 Damien Anderson 1 12 12.0 12 0 Marc Bulger 44 28 329 4/31 1 38 4 Cardinals Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Jeff Blake 28 15 192 0/0 2 54t 2 Torry Holt 9 145 16.1 38 0 Isaac Bruce 7 99 14.1 20 1 Marshall Faulk 5 33 6.6 16 0 Brandon Manumaleuna 2 26 13.0 16 0 Mike Furrey 2 18 9.0 12 0 Dane Looker 2 12 6.0 9 0 Arlen Harris 1-4 -4.0-4 0 Cardinals No Yds Avg LG TD Anquan Boldin 6 123 20.5 54t 2 Bryan Gilmore 3 50 16.7 32 0 Freddie Jones 2 11 5.5 6 0 Marcel Shipp 2 2 1.0 5 0 Bryant Johnson 1 6 6.0 6 0 James Hodgins 1 0 0.0 0 0 Travis Fisher 1 57 57.0 57t 1 Pisa Tinoisamoa 1 29 29.0 29 0 Cardinals No Yds Avg LG TD Renaldo Hill 2 96 48.0 70t 1 David Barrett 1 25 25.0 25 0 Coby Rhinehart 1 5 5.0 5 0 : None Cardinals: Ronald McKinnon 1-11, Russell Davis 1-9, Dennis Johnson 1-6, James Darling 1-5 : Grant Wistrom 12, Robert Thomas 11, Adam Archuleta 9, Aeneas Williams 9 Minnesota 7 10 0 0-17 10 10 14 14-48 - Faulk 18-yard run (Wilkins kick) - FG Wilkins 28 MIN - Moss 15-yard pass from Culpepper (Elling kick) - Bruce 4-yard pass from Bulger (Wilkins kick) MIN - FG Elling 28 MIN - M. Williams 1-yard run (Elling kick) - FG Wilkins 51 - Faulk 5-yard run (Wilkins kick) - Bulger 12-yard run (Wilkins kick) - A. Williams 90-yard fumble return (Wilkins kick) - Faulk 7-yard run (Wilkins kick) PAID ATT --- 66,134 VIKINGS First Downs...25 21 Rushing...8 9 Passing...17 11 Penalty...0 1 Third Down Efficiency...9-19-47% 3-6-50% Fourth Down Efficiency...1-4-25% 0-0-0% Total Net Yards...465 396 Total Offensive Plays...82 47 Avg. Gain Per Play...5.7 8.4 Rushes-Yards...26-189 25-141 Avg. Gain Per Rush...7.3 5.6 Net Passing Yards...276 255 Att-Comp-Int...48-33-1 21-16-1 Avg. Gain Per Pass...4.9 11.6 Sacks Allowed-Yards...8-54 1-8 Punts-Avg...3-25.0 2-36.0 Penalties-Yards...11-65 4-25 Fumbles-Lost...3-2 0-0 Time of Possession...37:37 22:23 RG Timmerman S Sehorn FB Goodspeed SS Archuleta Vikings Att Yds Avg LG TD Michael Bennett 14 98 7.0 28 0 Daunte Culpepper 4 70 17.5 42 0 Kelly Campbell 1 14 14.0 14 0 Randy Moss 1 5 5.0 5 0 Moe Williams 6 2 0.3 2 1 Marshall Faulk 17 108 6.4 29 3 Isaac Bruce 1 14 14.0 14 0 Marc Bulger 2 13 6.5 12t 1 Lamar Gordon 5 6 1.2 4 0 Vikings Att Com Yds Tkd/Yd TD LG IN Daunte Culpepper 47 33 330 8/54 1 23 1 Gus Frerotte 1 0 0 0/0 0 0 0 Marc Bulger 20 15 222 1/8 1 30 1 Isaac Bruce 1 1 40 0/0 0 41 0 Vikings No Yds Avg LG TD Randy Moss 10 160 16.0 23 1 Jim Kleinsasser 10 79 7.9 12 0 Moe Williams 7 35 5.0 11 0 Michael Bennett 3 24 8.0 12 0 Nate Burleson 2 28 14.0 17 0 Kelly Campbell 1 4 4.0 4 0 Torry Holt 8 102 12.8 22 0 Isaac Bruce 3 49 16.3 25 1 Mike Furrey 2 36 18.0 24 0 Marshall Faulk 2 35 17.5 30 0 Dane Looker 1 41 41.0 41 0 Vikings No Yds Avg LG TD Brian Russell 1 44 44.0 44 0 Tyoka Jackson 1 11 11.0 11 0 Vikings: Lance Johnstone 0.5-4; Kenny Mixon 0.5-4 : Leonard Little 4-25, Adam Archuleta 2-13, Pisa Tinoisamoa 1-12, Tyoka Jackson 1-4 : Tommy Polley 15, Adam Archuleta 11, Travis Fisher 9, Robert Thomas 9, Aeneas Williams 9, Jerametrius Butler 8, Leonard Little 8