Martz finds fault with perfect Rams after 35-0 rout of Lions

ST. LOUIS -- Right now, the NFL's lone unbeaten team looks like it'll never lose.

The St. Louis Rams are 4-0 for the third straight year after their 35-0 victory Monday night over the Detroit Lions. Points have never been a problem since Mike Martz came to town three years ago as offensive coordinator, but the defense also stepped up with its first shutout since the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995.

"It's going to be tough to beat us if we continue to play like this," quarterback Kurt Warner said. "We're playing as well the last two weeks as we've played anytime since I've been here, in all facets of the game."

Martz wants more, more, more.

After viewing the game tape on Monday, he was far from satisfied. That could spell bad news for future opponents, starting Sunday with the New York Giants (3-1) coming to St. Louis.

"We can play so much better on both sides of the ball," Martz said. "We can get better and we will get better."

On defense, he nitpicked at breakdowns in discipline -- they were overcome by hustle, however -- and at some missed tackles.

On offense, the Rams were sloppy in the early going. Faulk fumbled for the first time since 1999 to end a scoring threat, and Isaac Bruce fumbled and dropped a pass. Warner misfired on a fourth-and-2 pass to Ricky Proehl.

St. Louis also burned all three first-half timeouts early, although two were due to technical problems.

Martz's wireless hookup to backup quarterback Jamie Martin, who relayed the plays to Warner, was cutting in and out in the first half. The Rams switched to a model with a cord and had no problems the rest of the way.

The Rams began last year 6-0, winning shootouts, before Warner's broken finger derailed them. The fewest points the defense allowed in that opening stretch was 20.

This year, it's more of an equal partnership. New defensive coordinator Lovie Smith quickly got a unit that included eight new starters up to speed. Philadelphia was held to 17 points in the opening overtime victory, and Miami got only 10 last week.

They handed the Lions their first shutout since 1993, and also contributed to the scoring when Dre' Bly returned Ty Detmer's pass 93 yards for a third-quarter touchdown.

In the first four games, the defense has produced an NFC-best 11 turnovers.

"It gives you that sense or feeling that everybody has everybody's back," running back Marshall Faulk said. "We have that togetherness, and it's special."

Offense is what the Rams are known for, and after a slow start they're starting to roll. Warner has completed 72 percent of his passes, leads the NFL in passer rating, and has five receivers who are already in double figures. Faulk leads the NFL with 615 yards rushing and receiving.

Whatever the defense gives, Martz takes. At the start of Monday's game, the Lions were sitting back in the secondary, so the Rams passed 16 straight times.

Martz said outside linebacker Mark Fields, who has missed the last two games with cartilage damage to his rib cage, will return Sunday. Rookie Tommy Polley, a second-round draft pick, has played well in Fields' absence and had nine tackles Monday.

Strong safety Adam Archuleta fractured a thumb in the first defensive series, but played the entire game. He could split time this week with backup Rich Coady, who's recovered from a hamstring injury.

Offensive tackle Ryan Tucker separated his right shoulder and fractured his left hand in the first quarter, but finished the game. Martz expects Tucker to play this weekend.

Cornerback Aenaes Williams missed time in Monday's game with a pinched nerve in his neck after a jarring tackle of Cory Schlesinger, but finished the game and was fine on Tuesday.

NOTES: Martz called off practice Wednesday, even though it's a short work week. "I think it's important that you give these guys after a game like that, especially a late game, two days to let their bodies recover," Martz said. Players will report for running and weight lifting, however.