By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Rams opened the new regular season Sunday with a 17-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Marshall Faulk ran for 128 yards and scored on an important two-point conversion. Faulk and rookie Steven Jackson combined for 172 rushing yards on 29 carries. Jackson ran seven times for 50 yards in his first NFL game.
The Rams trailed 10-9 until Marc Bulger hit Isaac Bruce for an eight-yard score with 4:28 left in the game. Faulk's conversion gave the Rams a seven-point lead.
Jeff Wilkins kicked three field goals, measuring 50, 28 and 22 yards for the Rams.
Emmitt Smith and Larry Fitzgerald highlighted the Cardinals' offense. Smith carried 16 times for 87 yards, including an 11-yard run that put the Cards ahead late in the third quarter. Fitzgerald had four receptions for 70 yards.
Bulger was 23-34 for 272 yards. Bruce was his prime target, catching nine passes for 112 yards.