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Chargers host Rams in interconference game

Oct 24, 2006 - 9:40 PM St Louis (4-2) at San Diego (4-2) Sunday 4:05 pm EST

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Rams no longer are "The Greatest Show on Turf." However, they still have plenty of offensive firepower that could pose a problem for the San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

Ranked first overall in total defense by allowing just 241.2 yards per game, the Chargers' depth will be severely tested by the Rams.

San Diego is expected to have linebacker Shawne Merriman, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year who is facing a four-game suspension for reportedly violating the league's steroids policy. M erriman is second on the team with 5 1/2 sacks.

Merriman is appealing his suspension. He will be allowed to play until his appeal is heard on November 7.

The Chargers definitely will be without linebacker Shaun Phillips, who leads the team with six sacks, due to a calf injury. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.

No longer relying solely on the pass like they did when Mike Martz was coach, the Rams are now more run-oriented under first-year coach Scott Linehan. St. Louis ranks eighth in total offense.

The primary beneficiary of Linehan's approach has been Steven Jackson, who has rushed for 521 yards and two touchdowns. He gets to face a San Diego defense ranked fifth against the run.

St. Louis still has the ability to make plays through the air with quarterback Marc Bulger, who has thrown just one interception and is third in the league with a 99.8 rating behind only Peyton Manning (103.2) and Donovan McNabb (101.7).

Bulger also still has reliable wide receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. Holt's seven receiving touchdowns are tops in the league.

Two weeks ago, Holt had eight catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-28 loss against Seattle.

St. Louis, which had its bye last week, is tied with Seattle for first place in the NFC West. The Rams are 17-2 against the AFC since 1998.

The Chargers' offense centers around Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has rushed for 473 yards and a league-leading eight touchdowns.

Tomlinson rushed for 66 yards and threw a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Manumaleuna in last week's 30-27 loss at Kansas City. Manumaleuna, who played with the Rams from 2001-05, was acquired by the Chargers last April for a fourth-round pick.

The teams are meeting for the first time since 2002, when the Chargers posted a 20-17 overtime victory here.