The Rams dropped their third straight game on Sunday with a 17-16 loss to the Eagles at home. The Rams built a 16-7 lead thanks to three field goals from Jeff Wilkins and a second-quarter, five-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Torry Holt. Wilkins’ boot from 28 yards away with 8:30 to go in the third quarter gave the Rams a nine-point lead.
With 3:10 to go in the third, Eagles’ place-kicker David Akers hit a 31-yard field goal to cut it to 16-9.
On the next possession, Rams’ quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was picked off by Brian Dawkins, who returned the pass 24 yards to the Rams’ 28 yard line. Six plays later, Philadelphia scored on a Mike McMahon pass to long-snapper Mike Bartrum from three yards out. The touchdown tied it and Akers’ extra point gave the Eagles the lead.
After two unsuccessful drives, Rams head coach Joe Vitt replaced Fitzpatrick for Jamie Martin. The Rams drove to the Eagles 37-yard line and opted to go for it on fourth and one. Marshall Faulk was stopped two yards behind the line of scrimmage to end the drive.
Faulk replaced Steven Jackson, who suffered a minor hip-pointer. Faulk rushed for 87 yards, passing Marcus Allen for ninth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Jackson rushed for 82 yards and reached the 1,000 yard mark for the season.
With the loss, the Rams fell to 5-9 on the season and ensured their first losing season since 2002 and only their second since 1998.