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Rams seek first win against Buccaneers

Sep 23, 2007 - 12:16 PM St. Louis (0-2) at Tampa Bay (1-1) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- If the St. Louis Rams are to contend for a playoff berth this season as they expect, they most avoid second-half meltdowns.

The Rams again try for their first win of the season on Sunday when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are coming off an impressive victory over the New Orleans Saints.

St. Louis enjoyed halftime leads against the Carolina Panthers in Week One and the San Francisco 49ers last week but have nothing to slow for it.

The Rams outgained the 49ers by more than a two-to-one advantage as Marc Bulger passed for 368 yards. But Bulger only threw one touchdown pass and the 49ers escaped with a 17-16 win on Joe Nedney's 40-yard field goal with 3:28 remaining.

St. Louis is hoping to avoid its first 0-3 start since 2002, when the Rams opened 0-5 following their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots.

"We didn't finish two weeks in a row," coach Scott Linehan said. "We have got to find ways when you have got a lead, lead at halftime, lead in the third quarter, to sustain it and finish out games."

The Buccaneers turned in an unexpected performance last week, routing the Saints, 31-14, behind Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway, who hooked up for a pair of touchdownsm passes

After being held to two field goals in a 20-6 loss at Seattle the week before, the Buccaneers erupted for their most points in the previous 25 games under coach Jon Gruden.

Garcia recorded his first win with the Buccaneers, completing 10-of-16 passes for 243 yards. Tampa Bay did a better job of pass protection as Garcia was not sacked after being dropped three times against the Seahawks.

The Buccaneers could have momentum following their dismantling of the Saints, but they must contend with the Rams' potent receiving duo of Tory Holt (13 receptions for 147 yards and two TDs) and Issac Bruce (11-165).