Rams Lose In Double OT

The Rams’ season came to an end on Saturday in a double overtime loss to the Panthers 29-23. Kicker Jeff Wilkins made five field goals for the Rams, but a missed 52-yard kick that would have won the game in overtime. Jake Delhomme won the game in the first play of double-overtime when he hit Steve Smith for a 69-yard touchdown pass. The Rams had a chance to go for the win near the end of regulation. After scoring and recovering an on-side kick, the Rams marched into Carolina 15-yard line with just under a minute to go. Instead of trying to score a touchdown, head coach Mike Martz opted to kick a field goal with three seconds remaining. Martz admitted after the game that he was afraid of the possibility of an interception, killing any chance of a tie. Marc Bulger finished with 332 yards passing with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Marshall Faulk rushed for 53 yards and caught 9 passes for 87 yards.