Chargers rough up Bulger, Rams in a one-sided exhibition

ST. LOUIS -- The San Diego Chargers intercepted Marc Bulger twice, ending a successful preseason run by the Rams' reserve quarterback, in a 31-10 victory Thursday night.

The Chargers (2-1) put the game away with a 21-point third quarter, getting the first of three touchdowns one play after Bulger's second interception. They also shut down the Rams' starting offense in the first quarter, holding them without a point.

The Rams, coming off three straight 500-point seasons, managed only 87 yards in total offense and trailed 3-0 at halftime. They weren't shut out in the first half during the regular season all last year.

The teams meet Nov. 10 in the regular season.

Kurt Warner played a few snaps into the second quarter and was 5-of-10 for 56 yards for the Rams (0-3). Marshall Faulk, making his first appearance of the preseason, played three series and had one carry for 11 yards and two receptions for 7.

"I'm disappointed," Warner said. "I'm always disappointed when we don't put points on the board."

Faulk said his outing was "OK."

"I didn't do anything special," he said. "It was short but sweet."

The Rams also lost fullback James Hodgins, who fractured his left foot in the second quarter. Hodgins will be sidelined an estimated six weeks.

On the plus side for the Rams, offensive tackle John St. Clair did not allow a sack. St. Clair has struggled in the preseason, but appeared to make no glaring errors.

Chargers backup quarterback Doug Flutie threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Josh Norman in the third quarter, one play after Davis Sanchez made his second interception of the preseason and returned it 25 yards. That was the first touchdown pass of the preseason by either of the Chargers' top two quarterbacks, with Drew Brees named the starter earlier this week.

Jesse Chatman capped an 89-drive with an 8-yard run and Antuan Simmons returned a fumble by Trung Canidate 35 yards to make it 24-0 with 2:11 to go in the third quarter.

Brees played the first half and was 12-of-17 for 150 yards, but the Chargers got only three points on a 27-yard field goal by Wade Richey. He missed on a 40-yarder earlier in the second quarter.

Flutie played the third quarter and was 4-of-4 for 84 yards and a touchdown against Rams backups.

Bulger, who saw a lot of playing time with backup Jamie Martin sidelined by a collarbone injury, had been 26-of-39 for 349 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason. Against the Chargers he was 19-of-27 for 177 yards.

Bulger got several earfuls from coach Mike Martz after his first interception of the preseason, a poorly thrown ball on a rollout in the second quarter.

The Rams finally got on the scoreboard with a 28-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins with 11:22 to go. Ronney Jenkins added a 23-yard run for the Chargers with 6:32 remaining and Bulger hit Francis St. Paul on an 11-yard pass with 1:53 left.