Rams-Lions Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Rams-Lions

SCOUTING REPORT

Rams-Lions: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Rams-Lions matchup. 1. Get on St. Louis RB Steven Jackson's back: The Rams have one high-end player on offense: Jackson. Despite the dismal state of this franchise, Jackson continues to run very hard. Even though every defense keys directly on him, he consistently posts impressive yardage totals on a weekly basis, both as a runner and receiver.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
STL	1-9	113	270	0-5	1-4	0-3	1-7
DET	2-8	181	301	2-3	0-5	0-4	1-7
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

St. Louis Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Bulger 56.7 1469 5 6 Boller 57.0 481 2 3

Detroit Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Staffo... 55.2 1911 11 14 Culpep... 56.5 384 1 2

St. Louis Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jackso... 215 1031 4.8 3 Darby 11 57 5.2 0

Detroit Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Smith 162 560 3.5 3 Morris 38 141 3.7 1

St. Louis Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Avery 30 418 13.9 4 Burton 25 253 10.1 0

Detroit Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Johnso... 39 597 15.3 2 Pettig... 29 334 11.5 2

Full Player Stats: St. Louis | Detroit

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	STL	305.0
	DET	312.0
Yards Passing	STL	185.6
	DET	213.3
Yards Rushing	STL	119.3
	DET	98.5
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	STL	385.1
	DET	391.5
Pass Yds Allowed	STL	238.7
	DET	275.3
Rush Yds Allowed	STL	146.4
	DET	116.2

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
St. Louis leads 3-1
Oct 1, 2006	STL 41, @DET 34
Dec 28, 2003	STL 20, DET 30
Oct 8, 2001	STL 35, DET 0

If there's any team that can relate to the St. Louis Rams' 17-game losing streak, it's the Detroit Lions.

The Rams will try to end their skid Sunday when they visit Ford Field to face the Lions, who snapped their 19-game slide earlier this season.

St. Louis (0-7) is one of three winless teams in the league, and quite possibly the worst. The Rams have scored the fewest points (60), given up the most (211) and have yet to score a rushing touchdown.

"We have to learn to put four good quarters together," running back Steven Jackson said. "We don't know how to win a game right now."

Detroit (1-5) has put together a good four quarters to earn a win just once in its last 23 games -- a 19-14 victory over Washington on Sept. 27. That ended the Lions' 19-game losing streak, tied for second-longest in league history with the Chicago Cardinals of the 1940s and the Oakland Raiders of the 1960s.

Tampa Bay owns the league record of 26 straight losses after entering the league in 1976.

St. Louis could be headed in that direction if it continues to play like it did last Sunday. The Rams fell 42-6 to unbeaten Indianapolis, allowing the Colts to score touchdowns on their first two possessions and cruise to the win.

They took some solace in Jackson's season-high 134 yards on 23 carries. He has reached the 100-yard mark three times this season and ranks third in the league with 635.

"We want to be a physical team and run down the middle, not sideline to sideline," Jackson said. "The offensive line allowed us to do so in the second half."

The Rams have been more competitive on the road this year, losing 9-7 to Washington on Sept. 20 and 23-20 in overtime to Jacksonville on Oct. 18. Those are their only two games decided by fewer than 19 points, though they hope this is finally their week to win.

"Rome wasn't built in a day," rookie offensive tackle Jason Smith said. "Obviously, we're building towards whatever it is we're building here. When we do happen to be victorious, it'll be great."

Detroit had its bye last week and hopes to have rookie Matthew Stafford back after he missed the last two games with a knee injury. Stafford's biggest target, Calvin Johnson, is also recovering from a knee injury.

Coach Jim Schwartz said Friday that Stafford and Johnson have made "a lot of progress" and will be gametime decisions.

A return by Johnson or Stafford would provide a boost for an offense entering off a 26-0 loss at Green Bay on Oct. 18. Daunte Culpepper and Drew Stanton combined to complete 11 of 25 passes for 105 yards and three interceptions, getting sacked five times.

"This is a hard-working team," Schwartz said. "There's a lot of character on this football team, but the bottom line in this business is performance and we have to be very objective when it comes to performance."

Schwartz is a rookie coach like his counterpart, Steve Spagnuolo of the Rams. Spagnuolo -- the former Giants defensive coordinator -- is trying to stay positive through the losing.

"Don't let a bad play or a good play affect the next play, we talk about that all the time," Spagnuolo said. "That's what guys have got to fight through."

Injured Lions Stafford, Johnson skip practice

The Detroit Lions practiced Tuesday without quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

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Week 12 of the latest ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings reveals a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 4 teams.

Canadian company buys Silverdome for $583K

A judge has cleared the way for Pontiac, Mich., to sell the stadium that was once home to the NFL's Detroit Lions to a Canadian company for $583,000.

Lions' Stafford, Johnson likely out vs. Packers

Lions quarterback Matt Stafford had a record-setting day in Sunday's 38-37 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

St. Louis Rams coach Spagnuolo mum on sale talk

If coach Steve Spagnuolo has any thoughts on the sale talks that suddenly are swirling about his new team, he wasn't interested in sharing them Tuesday after practice at Rams Park.

Rams keep focus on the job

The focus on the fields Tuesday at Rams Park was dealing with the first real heat during a practice this offseason, while also finishing preparations for the team's third, and final, spring minicamp later this week.

Video: If sold, will the Rams stay in St. Louis?

Dierdorf says, "It's going to be the Cowboys new $1.1 billion dollar stadium that's opening this year in Dallas.

As sale looms, Rams fans can do their part

If the Rams eventually move from St. Louis, it won't be because of the fans. The customers have stayed loyal during hard times, buying up about 95 percent of the seats at the Edward Jones Dome over the last two seasons.

Vobora now seen as relevant for Rams

A year ago at this time, Rams linebacker David Vobora was irrelevant, as in "Mr. Irrelevant," the last player taken in the draft.

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Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft, made an impressive throw toward the end of Lions practice Monday.

Jim Schwartz: Matthew Stafford's quick release will be his biggest weapon - Video

As the Detroit Lions wrap up their OTAs, rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford has made a strong impression on both coaches and players .

Young players show emotions at Detroit Lions' OTA

The Detroit Lions defense stretches before the final OTA before mandatory minicamp starts June 23.

Lions sign Jansen, release Foster

Jon Jansen is in and George Foster is out. That became official Monday as the Lions went through another round of practices at their indoor facility.

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Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft, made an impressive throw toward the end of Lions practice Monday.