The end result, however, was more of the same.

Starter Marc Bulger lasted just five plays in the 27-3 loss to the Chicago Bears. He exited after defensive end Adewale Ogunleye burst in free and slammed Bulger to the Edward Jones Dome turf.

Coach Jim Haslett said Bulger suffered a concussion and would be evaluated "after we run tests" today. Bulger, who missed two games last season because of a concussion, left before speaking with reporters.

The early sack "was a big statement from us," Ogunleye said. "It gave us momentum, and we kept going the rest of the game."

The Bears collected just 17 sacks in their first 10 games. They dropped Rams QBs five times.

Trent Green took over for Bulger, and No. 3 quarterback Brock Berlin mopped up on the Rams' final series. "It's always good to get any kind of an opportunity," said Berlin, who had not played all season. "I wish it had been under better circumstances."

The circumstances for the Rams continue to worsen. Their fifth loss in a row dropped them to 2-9, assuring a fifth consecutive season without a winning record. They've won just 13 of their past 16 home games, including one of four this year.

"Guys have got to keep grinding," said Green, a 15-year veteran. "That's all I've ever known to do, just keep working and keep working and keep working, and eventually at some point in time, it turns. ... You have to find ways to do it, and right now we're searching for that."

Again, the Rams fell into a big hole by halftime, trailing 24-3. They've been outscored 123-13 in their past four opening halves.

With the Rams producing almost nothing on the ground, Green was forced to try to forge a comeback almost exclusively through the air. That led to more sacks, as the Bears' pass rushers teed off. Green also was intercepted four times, twice on balls that were deflected at the line.

The Bears continually moved their linebackers up into the gaps, essentially presenting a six-man front. "Whenever it was time to throw, then they jumped up and tipped it," Green said. "I've never been a guy to have a bunch of balls tipped. But when they mirror the line of scrimmage and time it and jump it, it happens."

Green connected on 16 of 30 passes for 219 yards; his passer rating was a meager 37.4. Still, he didn't deserve the bulk of the blame for the Rams' touchdown-free attack, wide receiver Dane Looker insisted.

"Everyone knows that Trent can play. When he comes in, we're not worried about any decline in the quarterback play," Looker said. "When you're in the position we were in ... you've got to try to throw the ball as much as you can and make plays. We just didn't make enough."

When the Rams did start to perk a bit on offense, "we'd have a penalty or a turnover or something that put us in a bad position," said Adam Goldberg, who filled in for Orlando Pace (knee) at left tackle. "We need to play clean Football and execute our system, and that's not what we're doing."

And haven't done virtually all season. Now, the Rams don't know who will be calling the signals next Sunday when the resurgent Miami Dolphins come to town.

"I have no idea; I really don't," Green said.

"As the week progresses, we'll find out who's ready and who's not ready," center Brett Romberg said. "Then we'll go from there."