NEW YORK, 29 December 2004 — Steven Jackson rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown as the St. Louis Rams’ kept alive their playoff hopes with a 20-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday.
Marc Bulger passed for 232 yards for the Rams, who improved to 7-8 and stayed in contention for the final NFC playoff spot with the victory.
Playing his first game after missing the past few weeks due to injury, Bulger looked sharp, going 20-for-27 with one touchdown and no interceptions. The Rams must win against the New York Jets in their final regular season game next week and get some help from other teams to make the post-season for the fourth time in five seasons.
Jackson left the game with a bruised right knee in the fourth quarter but said it was not serious.
“It’s not too bad,” Jackson said. “It’ll be all right. “We needed to get in the playoffs, it was a must win game... coming out and winning on Monday night gives us a big lift.”
Philadelphia (13-2) played like a team that has clinched home field advantage for the entire NFC playoffs, resting several regulars. Two healthy Eagles, running back Brian Westboork and offensive tackle Tra Thomas, did not participate and quarterback Donovan McNabb played just one series as the Eagles, already without Terrell Owens with an ankle injury until the Super Bowl, played it conservatively. McNabb did go 3-for-3 for 36 yards before being replaced by Koy Detmer. He finished off a 12-play drive with a seven-yard TD pass to Freddie Mitchell for the Eagles lone major.
Jackson ran for a five-yard TD in the first quarter for the Rams, while Isaac Bruce hauled in a seven-yard TD pass from Bulger for the other St. Louis touchdown.
Jeff Wilkins added a pair of field goals, from 28 and 29 yards, to account for the other Rams points. The Eagles could generate little offense all night, winding up with just 11 first downs and 155 net yards.
Bruce caught eight passes for 106 yards for St. Louis, which had 419 yards in total offense.
NFL great Reggie White was honored with a video tribute before the game, one day after his sudden death. Fans stood during the video and observed a moment of silence.
Lung Ailment May Have Contributed
to White’s Death
Complications from a lung disease may have contributed to the death of gridiron great Reggie White, who died on Sunday at the age of 43, a preliminary autopsy report released in Charlotte, North Carolina yesterday said.
White was considered by many to be perhaps the National Football League’s greatest defensive lineman. As he was remembered by colleagues both for his on the field performances and his philanthropic projects, the Mecklenburg County Office of the Medical Examiner released a preliminary report saying White’s death may have been caused by pulmonary and cardiac sarcoidosis, a disease of inflamed cells that can occur in various organs. Sleep apnea may have also played a role.
The disease may have contributed to a White’s “fatal cardiac arrhythmia” a statement released by the medical examiner’s office said, although it could be months before a final report is completed.
White’s wife Sara and his family did not comment on the report, but they announced there would be a public visitation on Wednesday prior to a private funeral.
