Rams' high-powered offense sets records

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams' offense finished off another prolific season on Sunday.

The Rams (14-2) became the first team in NFL history to score 500 points in a season three consecutive years, ending up with 503. St. Louis had 540 points last year and 526 in 1999.

St. Louis also became the first team to gain more than 20,000 yards in a three-year span. Coming into the game, the Rams needed 281 yards and they totaled 458.

"It's another great accomplishment," quarterback Kurt Warner said. "I think everyone in here will tell you that we'd love to be known as the best offense to ever play.

"To be able to have two 500-point seasons in a row, nobody's ever done it. Now to have three, it really sets us apart."

Marshall Faulk became the first player with 2,000 yards from scrimmage four years in a row. He had 226 yards rushing and receiving Sunday to finish with 2,147.

Faulk had a record 2,429 yards in 1999 and came back 2,189 yards last season.

"When you think about it from a team aspect, it's a great accomplishment," Faulk said. "We're not sneaking up on anyone, nobody's not preparing for us. We're going out and executing and that's the good part about it."

Hall of Famer Jim Brown is the only other player to gain 2,000 yards three straight seasons. Faulk also scored his 110th touchdown, moving into ninth on the career list, and set a team record with his 59th touchdown in three seasons -- one more than Eric Dickerson.

Warner finished with 4,830 passing yards, second only to Dan Marino's 5,084-yard season in 1984. Warner passed seven players on Sunday, including Neil Lomax, whose 4,614 yards for the Cardinals in 1984 had been the best ever by a St. Louis player.

Faulk received a standing ovation and hugs from his teammates and coach Mike Martz on the sideline after his yardage record was announced.

Warner had a slow start, throwing for 126 yards in the first half with two of his three interceptions. He moved up to No. 2 on a 21-yard pass to Torry Holt with less than a minute left in the third quarter.

Warner finished with 36 touchdown passes, tied for sixth on the single-season list with Y.A. Title (1963), George Blanda (1961), Steve Young (1998) and Steve Beuerlein (1999). Warner had an NFL-leading 101.4 rating and completed 68.8 percent of his passes.

"More times than not I'm going to make plays more than I'm going to make mistakes," Warner said. "When I do make a mistake I don't let it bother me.

"Coach has always told me 'If you have to throw an interception, throw an interception."'

The Rams also set a franchise record for victories, topping their 13-3 season of 1999.