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Rams looking to avoid 0-6 start

Oct 14, 2007 - 10:34 AM St Louis (0-5) at Baltimore (3-2) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- For a team that won a Super Bowl six years ago, the St. Louis Rams have reached a level of futility they never could have imagined.

The winless Rams look to avoid matching the worst start in franchise history when the visit the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

St. Louis, which began the season with playoff hopes, dropped to 0-5 for the second time in the decade after last week's 34-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. It also started 2002 - the year after its Super Bowl victory - with five straight losses.

However, the Rams' only 0-6 start came in 1962, when the franchise was located in Los Angeles.

St. Louis has been hit hard by injuries, entering last week's game with only four opening-day starters in their usual spots. The Rams went 32 drives before scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Arizona.

One of the biggest injuries for the Rams has been Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, who is expected to miss his third straight game with a groin injury.

"It's unbelievable what's happening to this team," Rams receiver Dante Hall said. "We come into the season with the cards stacked right and it just seems like things week in, week out, just keep falling apart."

Gus Frerotte started in place of Marc Bulger last week and sparked the offense, passing for three TDs. But the defense faltered.

Things do not get any easier this week as the Rams head on the road to face the physical Ravens, who surrendered just 163 yards in a 9-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Baltimore held Frank Gore, the NFC's top rusher last season, to 52 yards on 16 carries.

The 49ers had zero net passing yards at the half and managed just six first downs for the game.

A concern for Baltimore, however, may be an inability to get into the end zone. Despite gaining 315 yards, the Ravens settles for three field goals by Matt Stover.

Baltimore won with its lowest point total since the franchise's inception in 1996.

Derrick Mason is emerging as a threat for the Ravens. He had 11 receptions for 85 yards against the 49ers, his fifth straight game with at least seven catches.