| | | | | | | |  Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Rams on a Roll
By Melissa Stark
Special to ABC Sports Online
Heading into Monday night, the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears (ABC, 9 p.m. ET) are both riding the wake of unbelievable, down-to-the-wire Week 10 finishes. But while the Bears finished on the losing end of a fourth-quarter Patriots' rally, the Rams surprisingly came from behind to beat the Chargers 28-24.
|  | | Injuries may keep Faulk from starting on Monday. |
Certainly, momentum favors the Rams. But you can't count out the Bears, who come into this game with something to prove.
Although the Marc Bulger-Kurt Warner "controversy" was put on hold (team doctors advised that Warner take an additional week to heal his broken pinkie), it's still the biggest storyline of the game. Rams head coach Mike Martz knows it's better to be safe than sorry. Heeding doctors advice, Martz will keep Warner as his No. 2 quarterback against the Bears. But as of now, he's adamant that a healthy Warner will get the start the following week against Washington.
It will be interesting to see if Martz's stance changes if Bulger's four-game success continues against the Bears. With Bulger at the helm, the Rams' offense has averaged 30 points per game. Bulger is currently the NFL's highest-rated passer, and if he plays well and looks even vaguely reminiscent of his previous outings, it will certainly spark a debate heading into the following week.
So, all eyes will be on Bulger. A lot of coaches follow the philosophy that a player shouldn't lose his job due to an injury. But if Bulger can bring the Rams to .500, Martz will have an interesting situation to ponder. He knows the playoffs could be at stake. And how do you not stick with the guy with the hot hand?
Martz is often revered as an offensive genius. When I spoke with Rams Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jackie Slater, he talked about Bulger's success being a testament to the system in which he plays and Martz's coaching ability. He added that Martz is as good as it gets at analyzing a player's strengths and tailoring those strengths to his overall attack. So if Martz gives the go-ahead to Warner, you have to respect his decision.
Another key to this game is the health status of Marshall Faulk, who has contributed to the Rams' turnaround in a large way. In three of the Rams' four victories, Faulk has rushed for more than 150 yards. Faulk, who was sidelined last week for a high ankle sprain and bothered by a left arch injury, has not practiced all week. But Martz is optimistic about this return, saying that Faulk is progressing quicker than anticipated. In fact, he may even be ahead of schedule (although he didn't practice on Friday).
If Faulk is out, the Rams like rookie Lamar Gordon. The last time we saw these guys on Monday night, Gordon provided solid backup when Faulk left the game with a sprained neck -- rushing four times for 44-yards and one touchdown, in St. Louis' 26-14 loss to Tampa Bay.
The Rams' defense is finally getting on a roll, allowing only one touchdown or fewer in each of their last four games for the first time since 1999. So that bodes well for them against the Bears this Monday night.
That said, Martz and Co. know better than to underestimate the Chicago Bears. Despite multiple injuries and a struggling defense, they know that a beat up Bears' team is still one to contend with -- they're still a dangerous team. Consequently, they're taking this matchup seriously.
In Chicago, where the Bears are in the midst of a seven-game skid, spirits are low. It may sound cliché, but what they need right now is a win. They need something positive to latch onto and change their mindset.
Last season's karma has certainly eluded the Bears this year. Last season fans learned not to leave their seats until the clock ran down. This season, it's flipped. Of their seven losses, five have been decided by six points or less and two have gone into overtime.
To add to the mood, players were taken aback by head coach Dick Jauron's decision to release veteran tight end Fred Baxter. Jauron cited injuries and overflow at the tight end position as reasons, but players know that Baxter had been critical of the offense. And judging by the reaction I've heard, if Jauron's intentions were to send a message, it worked.
Injuries have clearly taken their toll on a talented team. During last year's surprise 13-3 season, every offensive lineman started every game and only one defensive starter missed a game due to injury. This season, the Bears have suffered more injuries than any other NFL team -- 29 starts have been missed due to injury.
Starting center Olin Kreutz had his appendix removed earlier in the week, but surprisingly is recuperating well. He's practiced, but if he can't go, Kevin Dogins will get the start. And if that happens, James "Big Cat" Williams will be the only starter not to miss a game this season.
Both Bears' starting quarterbacks are banged up. Despite a strained neck, Chris Chandler will get the start over Jim Miller (tendonitis in his elbow). The Bears will rely heavily on running back Anthony Thomas to have a big night against a rolling Rams defense.
The A-Train will have his work cut out for him, however, against the improving Rams defense. And it figures to be a tough night for the Bears.
Matchups to watch:
Rams wide receivers vs. Bears secondary
Bears corners R.W. McQuarters and Jerry Azumah have yet to record an interception this season. They've lacked big-play ability. So to beat this potent Rams offense, they'll need a big play early on to get things going. Bulger has thrown for just three interceptions in four games and both Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are coming off huge games (both recorded over 100 yards against the Chargers) so it won't be easy.
Faulk vs. Urlacher
Bears MLB Brian Urlacher has never played against Marshall Faulk. And as much as the Bears are hoping that Faulk will be out of the game, Urlacher welcomes the challenge. He credits Faulk as the best in the business and looks forward to the "ultimate challenge." Urlacher is the Bears biggest playmaker -- look for him to make a difference.
Melissa Stark is Monday Night Football's sideline reporter and a regular contributor to ABC Sports Online.
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