Faulk debuts in preseason loss

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Marshall Faulk needed only one half Saturday night to show he's ready for the regular season.

Making his preseason debut, Faulk scored twice, including a 26-yard reception from Kurt Warner, in the St. Louis Rams' 28-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Rams (1-2) have lost five straight preseason road games, going back to their 24-10 win at Buffalo in 2001. Buffalo (2-1) played before an announced crowd of 62,286, the third largest in the franchise's preseason history.

Faulk, coming off a frustrating year in which he was hampered by a high ankle sprain, ran for 43 yards on 11 carries, including a 6-yard touchdown run, in which he bounced off a tackle, and made a quick burst up the right side. He added seven catches for 70 yards, and was involved in 69 percent of the Rams' first-half offense.

"I played OK," Faulk said. "Some of my reads were a little off, but I was getting back into the flow of it."

Warner was happy to welcome back Faulk.

"It is always good to see No. 28 in the huddle and make some moves like he did on that touchdown run," Warner said. "It is fun to have him back, and fun to get everything going."

Faulk overshadowed what was an encouraging outing by Buffalo's Drew Bledsoe-led offense, which finally got clicking after two sub-par outings. Bledsoe completed his first seven passes and engineered scoring drives on the Bills' first two possessions.

After squandering a 14-0 lead, the Bills second- and third-stringers pulled out the victory in the second half, capped by Joe Burns' 13-yard touchdown run with 2:03 remaining. Backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt also hit Clarence Coleman for a 3-yard touchdown pass.

St. Louis backup Marc Bulger, on his second possession of the third quarter, had a 66-yard touchdown completion to Kevin Curtis, putting the Rams ahead 21-14.

The buzz centered on the Rams' starting offense, showing glimpses of returning to form with a healthy Faulk and Warner, who finished last season on injured reserve with a broken hand.

Warner strung together his second straight strong outing, finishing 13-of-15 for 125 yards passing in playing the first half, his longest outing of the postseason. His best completion was on the touchdown to Faulk, threading a pass over the middle to Faulk, who had a step on linebacker Jeff Posey, and caught it in full stride over his left shoulder.

In three games, Warner is 23-of-26 for 198 yards.

The Bills got the performance they was looking for from Bledsoe.

Bledsoe finished 22-of-29 for 231 yards and two touchdowns, an 8-yarder to Bobby Shaw and an 18-yarder to Eric Moulds.

That's a significant turnaround from his first two preseason games, in which he went a combined 9-of-19 for 74 yards and no touchdowns.

Bledsoe's only mistake came during Buffalo's third possession, in which he forced a pass over the middle, which was picked off by linebacker Tommy Polley.

"We showed what we're capable of if we don't have mistakes," said Bledsoe, who played one series into the third quarter. "When we don't make mistakes, we're efficient. I know we can do a great job offensively."

The Bills lost starting left tackle Jonas Jennings, who didn't return after being hit in the head late in the second quarter.

Rams safety Kim Herring broke a bone in his left forearm covering the opening kickoff. A backup to Adam Archuleta, Herring is the latest St. Louis player to get hurt.

The Rams were playing without several starters, including center Dave Wohlabaugh (broken thumb), defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (ankle), Kevin Garrett (broken wrist) and cornerback Aeneas Williams.