The Rams managed just one touchdown against the Cardinals in their season opener on Sunday, but it proved to be enough in a 17-10 win. St. Louis’ offense moved the ball into Arizona territory in each of their first three possessions, but two fumbles and an interception kept them from putting any points on the board. In the second quarter, kicker Jeff Wilkins put a 50-yard field goal through the uprights to put the Rams on the board. He finished with three field goals on the day and became the team’s all-time leading scorer with his second field goal. Leading 6-3 in the third quarter, the Rams gave the lead up when Emmitt Smith ran 11 yards to score the game’s first touchdown. The extra point from Neil Rackers gave the Big Red a 10-9 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Rams went on a five-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Marc Bulger’s eight yard touchdown pass. They converted a two-point conversion and took the 17-10 lead. Bruce finished with nine receptions for 112 yards. Marshall Faulk rushed for 128 yards on 22 carries and passed O.J. Simpson to move into 13th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Bulger was 23-34 passing with 272 yards.
