The second was an out route to wide receiver Drew Bennett that was jumped by cornerback Cletis Gordon. Bulger was forced to leave the game after a sack late in the first half, but he would have returned had it been a regular season game.

Rams offensive coordinator Al Saunders dismissed the notion that Bulger seems tentative or that he is throwing too much off his back foot.

"He'll be fine," Saunders said. "We just have to get him in rhythm, and that's my responsibility."

Bulger was victimized on two throws that went right through the hands of Bennett.

"We had a great week of practice," Bulger said. "Unfortunately, I did not play particularly well tonight, but we are getting better every week. It may not have shown that way on the field, but we are getting ready for Philly now. It is going to be a different atmosphere this week, by winning, but we have a few things to improve on. I learned a lot tonight. We are going in the right direction."

On the Rams' third possession, the offense ran 17 plays, 14 of which were runs, and totaled 97 yards. Linehan went for it on two fourth-down plays. The first was on fourth-and-2 from the San Diego 6-yard line, and running back Antonio Pittman gained three yards. However, on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, a Bulger swing pass to running back Brian Leonard was stopped for no gain.

In explaining his strategy, Linehan said, "It wasn't so much to break the preseason touchdown spell, or whatever it is. It was more kind of a determination check. We made great strides with our offensive line. I'm really encouraged."

In the 17-play drive, Pittman and Leonard each had seven carries. Pittman gained 56 yards, with runs of 14, 15 and 18 yards. Leonard totaled 35 and had runs of nine and 10 yards.

"We are making great strides with our offensive line," Linehan said. "I'm really encouraged."

Left tackle Orlando Pace had been easing into action slowly during training camp after missing most of last season with a torn labrum. But he played the entire first half, which was 39 plays. With Brett Romberg out because of an injured hand, Nick Leckey started.

Without running back Steven Jackson, the Rams rushed for 183 on 38 attempts, with 158 by the running backs.

Prior to the game, right guard Richie Incognito had said, "With or without Steven, we have to get our fits right up front and block our butts off."

Against the Chargers, it appeared they did, realizing San Diego was playing without defensive end Luis Castillo, nose tackle Jamal Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman.