Marshall Faulk helped the Rams score a league-leading 526 points.

Minnesota receiver Randy Moss was asked about the Vikings' NFC divisional playoff game with the St. Louis Rams this Sunday. A team that set the 1999 standard for big plays, a team very much built in the mold of, well, the 1998 Vikings, it would seem.

An accurate comparison?

"Yes, they got the first-round bye," Moss began. "They could be the Vikings of 1998. But some bad things happened to the Vikings in 1998. So I don't think the people down in St. Louis would like that comment. I know it's going to be a big game. I think our organization and their organization will be pumped up for this game."

Marquee matchup? Consider:

The Vikings offense finished the season ranked No. 3 in yards gained. The Rams were No. 1 in yards gained and points scored. They have a running back (Marshall Faulk) who set an NFL record for yards from scrimmage and a trio of wide receivers (Isaac Bruce, Az-Zahir Hakim and Torry Holt) who can stretch a secondary.

And they have a quarterback, Kurt Warner, who came out of nowhere to win the NFL MVP award, throwing 41 touchdown passes. The Rams scored 31 or more points 12 times, 41 or more three times.

Sounds a lot like the Vikings of last year.

"You can draw a lot of comparisons," receiver Cris Carter said. "They put up a lot of numbers. Offensively, they're very explosive. It's whatever you want to write about."

But while the Vikings are impressed, they don't appear intimidated.

"We feel like they're just the next guys on the list," defensive end Duane Clemons said.

Vikings coach Dennis Green pointed out the Rams played in a weak NFC West this season, rarely playing teams with winning records.

"They had a very different schedule," Green said. "Our schedule was very demanding in the NFC Central last year. They didn't score as many points as we did last year. (But) I think they've got big-play receivers all over the field. Marshall Faulk is a fabulous back."

The Vikings' computer and scouting staffs spent a lot of time during the past week breaking down film of the Rams, preparing coaches for an intense week of preparation.

"Definitely," defensive coordinator Foge Fazio said. "We knew Dallas pretty well from the last time we played 'em. So, the preparation was a little different. Now St. Louis, they're a different team than the one we played last year. I don't know anything about them. But I know this: Our computer people broke down a heck of a lot of film. So we're all ready to go."

The Vikings' 38-31 victory at St. Louis on Sept. 13, 1998, was one of their most difficult of the season. It was not decided until they tackled quarterback Tony Banks near the goal line as time ran out.

It could be that difficult again. The Rams can score in all sorts of ways. They returned one punt, two kickoffs, seven interceptions and one fumble for touchdowns during the season on the way to winning the top NFC playoff seed.

"It's going to be tough to play on the road ... in a city that has had its share of rough luck with teams," Vikings running back Robert Smith said. "Those guys are going to be all fired up."

Which is why few Vikings players will have time to look back at Sunday's victory over Dallas.

"They're supposed to be the best," Moss said. "I think we're the best. It's just about who wants it more. We're going down there with a game plan, offensive and defensive, put it together and see what happens."