St. Louis – Marc Bulger threw three touchdown passes and the St. Louis Rams survived a controversial replay ruling in the fourth quarter Sunday to hang on for a 31-27, turnover- filled victory over the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans converted three turnovers into 17 points while the Rams got an 85-yard interception return from Adam Archuleta for a touchdown.
Torry Holt caught nine passes for 163 yards in the first three quarters and Kevin Curtis’ 10-yard catch on the first play of the fourth quarter was the go-ahead score for the Rams (2-1), the last team in the NFL to play a home opener. St. Louis is a league-best 40-9 in the regular season at home since 1999.
Steve McNair was 24-of-39 passing for 261 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Titans (1-2).
It took Tennessee, which was leading 10-0 and appeared close to another score early in the second quarter, a long time to recover from Archuleta’s return.
Bulger was 21-of-28 for 292 yards with an interception, although he fumbled three times, losing two. The third fumble was recovered in the fourth quarter by first-round draft pick Alex Barron, who was making his pro debut.
With the Rams leading 31-24, Bulger appeared to throw an incompletion on a swing pass, but there was no whistle and Peter Sirnon scooped up the ball and returned it 41 yards to the Rams’ 29 with 10:26 left.
The Rams challenged the call and the St. Louis offense and Tennessee defense stayed on the field throughout the review process, an indication that the call would be overturned. But referee Tom White said the play stood.
A sack by Leonard Little forced a 39-yard field goal by Rob Bironas that cut the Rams’ lead to 31-27 with 6:02 to play.
