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Rams, Bears hoping to end skids

Nov 18, 2008 - 7:42 PM CHICAGO (5-5) AT ST. LOUIS (2-8), 1:00 pm EST

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Rams attempt to snap a four-game losing streak Sunday when they take on the Chicago Bears, who are trying to avoid a three-game skid.

With running back Stephen Jackson injured, the Rams' offense has been ineffective. St. Louis has managed just 50 points over its current slide.

Jackson has missed three of the last four games and was a non-factor in the one contest he did play in. Antonio Pittman filled in adequately last week, rushing for 95 yards during a 35-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The loss of Jackson, who was ruled out for this contest, has been too much for the Rams. Rookie wide receiver Donnie Avery is the only St. Louis player besides Jackson to rush for a TD this season.

The 25-year-old Jackson, who is nursing a strained thigh, has rushed for 525 yards and four scores over seven games this season.

Despite back-to-back losses, the Bears have managed to stay in the thick of the NFC North race thanks to a mediocre division. Chicago is currently tied with the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers for first place.

Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton played last week after missing the previous game with an ankle injury, but the Bears were still handed a 37-3 beatdown from the Green Bay Packers.

Orton passed for 133 yards and was replaced by Rex Grossman in the fourth quarter.

The 26-year-old Orton had spent the first half of the season proving that coach Lovie Smith's decision to start him over Grossman was the right one. He has passed for 1,910 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions this campaign.

The Bears have to avoid looking ahead to next week's critical showdown against the Minnesota Vikings, who also enter this week with a 5-5 record.