DETROIT, 31 August 2005 — The St. Louis Rams resembled the team that won the Super Bowl five years ago and the Detroit Lions looked like the NFL’s worst team since 2001.
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. 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. With a crisp passing game along with Jackson’s speed and power on the ground, the Rams (2-1) led 21-6 at halftime. The Rams were so dominant on an 11-play, 90-yard drive in the first quarter they didn’t have a third down.
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 caught five passes for 85 yards, including a 31-yard TD catch.
A pass rush that came from all angles stifled Detroit’s first-string offense, which hasn’t scored a TD in three preseason losses. When Joey Harrington had time to throw, he either missed receivers or they dropped passes. 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.
Harrington was 9-of-18 for 106 yards, and Kevin Jones had 38 yards rushing on nine carries. When both teams put reserves in the game early in the third quarter, St. Louis was still superior. Jamie Martin threw an 11-yard TD pass to Madison Hedgecock to put the Rams ahead 34-6 late in the third quarter when Ford Field was almost empty. The Rams didn’t have to punt until late in the fourth quarter.
Detroit’s Dan Orlovsky threw a 6-yard pass to Jason Randall with 52 seconds left, making it 37-13. As impressive as St. Louis’ victory was, it had to be 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.
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.
