Injury-depleted Rams beat Saints 28-17

By John Onan | Sunday, October 23, 2005 | ( 0 )

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In a matchup between two squads who know all about adversity, the St. Louis Rams came back from a 14-0 first quarter deficit to defeat the New Orleans Saints 28-17 on Sunday.

The St. Louis Rams came into the game without the services of not only head coach Mike Martz and starting quarterback Marc Bulger, but were also minus wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt. Interim coach Joe Vitt, faced with these circumstances, gave the Saints a steady dose of running back Stephen Jackson, who scored on two short second half runs.

He went in from six yards to get the Rams on the board for the first time, and once more from one yard away to cut the New Orleans lead to 17-14 early in the fourth quarter. He finished the day with 20 carries for 97 yards, and also caught two throws for 19 yards. After being rattled early on, backup signal-caller Jamie Martin regained his composure, going 18-of-29 for 198 yards.

The New Orleans Saints, who have been forced to play away from the Super Dome all year due to Hurricane Katrina, appeared to run out of gas in the late going. Trailing 21-17, quarterback Aaron Brooks had a final chance to lead his team to victory.

After leading New Orleans to around midfield he was picked off as tight end Ernie Conwell had a completion ripped away from him by Rams defensive back Mike Furrey, who took it 67-yards for the game-clinching score. Brooks finished 18-of-39 for 230 yards and two touchdowns, but that one, costly interception.

The Saints got another solid performance from running backs Antowain Smith and Aaron Stecker, who are substituting for Deuce McAllister. Splitting carries, they combined for 89 yards on 26 carries, but failed to find the end zone.

The Rams, with the victory, are now 3-4 on the year. The Saints play hard, but lose once again, and they fall to 2-5.

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