Haslett's rejuvenated Rams pound Cowboys 34-14

ST. LOUIS -- Even on the road, the chorus of "Romo! Romo!" from Dallas Cowboys' fans was easily audible at the start of the second half.

Tony Romo told the coaching staff after pregame warmups he wasn't up to playing with a broken right pinkie. He was in uniform, giving fans false hope, but they were stuck with Brad Johnson.

The 40-year-old backup quarterback couldn't keep up with a suddenly potent, opportunistic St. Louis Rams' offense, throwing three interceptions. Steven Jackson ran for 160 yards on 25 carries with three touchdowns and the Rams (2-4) looked like contenders instead of sad sacks for the second straight game under new coach Jim Haslett in a surprisingly easy 34-14 victory Sunday.

"It was a tough day for all of us," Johnson said. "We had miscues across the board."

Owner Jerry Jones said after the game he had thought the Cowboys had enough to beat the Rams despite Romo's injury and the suspension of cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. Adding to the woes, Jones said after the game that safety Roy Williams would miss the rest of the season after breaking his right forearm for the second time.

"I just was thinking a little lighter than I should have about this ballgame," Jones said. "I'm not speaking for this team, but I was."

The Rams won 19-17 at Washington last week in their first game since replacing Scott Linehan, ending a run of 17 losses in 20 games and four blowout losses to start the season.

Their response to Haslett, beginning his second stint as a head coach, has exceeded expectations.

"I think it's just the will of the players, more than anything," Haslett said. "I thought they played extremely well today, in all three phases."

St. Louis defense did its part, forcing four turnovers for the second straight game.

Oshiomogho Atogwe, who had two interceptions, scored the lone touchdown against the Redskins last week on a fumble recovery.

Jackson pulled a quadriceps muscle in the fourth quarter just before Haslett said he was going to take him out, and was to undergo an MRI. But Jackson thought he'd be fine for next week's game at New England.

"It's a little tight," Jackson said. "I'm able to walk and I'm able to bend it, so that's a good sign."

Marion Barber had 100 yards on 18 carries and the game's opening touchdown for Dallas.

There were not many more highlights for the Cowboys (4-3), who lost for the third time in four games. Newly acquired wide receiver Roy Williams did not catch a pass.

Johnson was 6-for-18 for 66 yards in the first half while the Cowboys fell behind 24-7. He finished 17-for-34 for 234 yards and threw his only touchdown pass to Martellus Bennett inside the 2-minute warning.

The Rams' 21-point first quarter dwarfed their season output of just 10 points in the first five games. They asserted themselves after the Cowboys' opening drive, answering on Marc Bulger's first touchdown pass in two starts with a 42-yarder to wide-open rookie Donnie Avery.

Jackson added runs of 8 and 1 yards, the Rams' first two touchdowns all season from inside the 20, for a 21-7 lead. The first score capitalized on a short field after the Cowboys punted from the end zone, and the second came four plays after Will Witherspoon's interception of a tipped pass at the Dallas 18.

Jackson's 56-yard run down the right sideline made it 31-7 midway through the third quarter.

Bulger finished 14-for-19 for 173 yards and a touchdown.