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Rams-Lions Preview

Oct 6, 2010 - 4:28 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

One year after combining for three wins, the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions have shown considerable improvement. However, while the Rams are tied atop the NFC West and thinking about a possible playoff berth, the Lions are still seeking their first victory.

St. Louis tries to win three straight for the first time in four years Sunday when it visits a Detroit team coming off another close loss.

The Rams (2-2) went 1-15 last season, with their victory coming in Detroit on Nov. 1. Stephen Jackson rushed for 149 yards and scored on a 25-yard run with 1:38 remaining, lifting St. Louis to a 17-10 win.

By finishing with the NFL's worst record, the Rams got the first pick in the draft and selected quarterback Sam Bradford. The Bradford era began with two losses by six total points, and St. Louis has since appeared to turn the corner.

Following a 30-16 win over Washington on Sept. 26, the Rams defeated Seattle 20-3 on Sunday to give them back-to-back victories for the first time since Week 5 and 6 of 2008. They haven't won three in a row since the final three games in 2006.

"If we continue on the track we're on and we continue to improve each week, I think we can definitely compete for this division," Bradford said.

The Lions also feel like they should be contending for first place, but instead find themselves without a victory.

"Obviously, our record is 0-4, but I felt like we played good enough to be at least 3-1 at this point," linebacker Julian Peterson said.

The Lions, who went 2-14 last season after losing all 16 in 2008, have dropped games by five, three and two points this year. In a 28-26 loss at Green Bay last Sunday, Detroit trailed 28-14 in the third quarter before four Jason Hanson field goals to cut the deficit to two. A final drive by the Packers ran out the clock.

"This team doesn't need me to stand up here and say how close we are," coach Jim Schwartz said. "It's our job to get over the hump. We're right on it, we just can't get over the hump."

The Lions again showed improvement in the defeat, especially from backup quarterback Shaun Hill.

Serving as the replacement for Matthew Stafford, who injured his throwing shoulder in the season opener, Hill passed for 331 yards and two touchdowns to Calvin Johnson.

Since Hill took over in Week 2, Detroit is sixth in the NFL in offense with 401.3 yards per game. Although the Lions have managed to move the ball, a number of drives failed to produce points because Detroit has committed eight turnovers while committing a league-worst 30 penalties over the past three weeks.

"When we're rolling, I think we're one of the best offenses in the league," running back Jahvid Best said. "(We've) just got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot with either penalties or mistakes. It's just self-inflicted wounds."

It could be tough to correct some of those mistakes against a Rams team that has forced 10 turnovers, tied for fifth most in the NFL.

In addition to a stingy defense, St. Louis' versatile offense that avoids an overreliance on Jackson has contributed to the team's surprising start.

Bradford passed for a career-best 289 yards with two touchdowns last weekend. He has three interceptions in the last three games after throwing three in his NFL debut.

"I feel like I have made progress, I feel like (offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur) is starting to gain more trust in me," Bradford said. "I think as long as I continue to improve, at the end of the year I'll be in a pretty good spot."

Bradford's rapid development has been especially timely as Jackson played through a groin strain against the Seahawks, rushing for only 70 yards.

Jackson has amassed 312 yards from scrimmage in two career games against the Lions, and could be primed for another big game. Detroit is allowing an average of 134.5 yards on the ground.