St. Louis wants to burrow in at home with a win

ST. LOUIS -- Throughout the season, Mike Martz's mantra has been that no matter who's next on the schedule, it's what the St. Louis Rams do that matters.

"It is always about our performance," Martz said.

That'll come in handy in today's season finale, considering the Atlanta Falcons haven't posed much of a challenge lately. Not only do the Rams (13-2) enter with the NFL's best record, they've dominated the Falcons the last five times by an average of 39-15.

That includes a 35-6 blowout Dec. 2 in Atlanta, which triggered a late swoon by the Falcons.

"I think it's just one of those deals where we match up very well against them," quarterback Kurt Warner said. "Sometimes, it's just that way."

It's safe to say Falcons coach Dan Reeves won't be grieving next year when realignment moves his team to the NFC South.

"The way they've treated us the last five games, I won't miss them," Reeves said.

The game shapes up as just another dress rehearsal for the Rams, who have one last carrot dangling in front of their noses. They clinched a playoff berth at New Orleans in Game 13, and wrapped up the NFC West for the second time in three years with last week's dominating 42-17 victory over the Colts.

Against the Falcons, the incentive is home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. A victory will do it, although a Bears loss in an earlier game on Sunday would do the trick for them. It's plenty of incentive.

"Oh my god, it's a tremendous advantage," linebacker Don Davis said. "This team is kind of built and made for speed and the indoor atmosphere we have here.

"You don't want to go to a Green Bay or a Chicago and play outside when you can stay right here at home."

Rams players say they won't be watching Chicago's game, and that no matter what happens it won't change their approach.

"I'm not going to know until I'm dressed and ready to go," Warner said. "I'm going to play, I'm sure, regardless of what happens."

The Rams could be excused for taking a peek ahead, even if they'll be putting their game faces on instead of tuning in. After a first-round bye in the playoffs, they know they'll be facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (been there), San Francisco 49ers (done that twice) or the Green Bay Packers.

Martz wants to face somebody new.

"I think it's more fun for us to play somebody we haven't seen," Martz said. "That's always fun, I think."

One of the Rams' two losses was to the Buccaneers, although they hurt themselves considerably with six turnovers. They swept the 49ers and have won six in a row in the series, but haven't faced the Packers since 1997. They could face another new team, the Bears, in the NFC championship game.

Other minor incentives in the game: The Rams have a shot at a franchise record for victories and Warner needs 253 yards passing to post the second-highest total in NFL history. He would trail only Dan Marino's 5,084-yard season in 1984.

Warner, who had 15 touchdown passes and only four interceptions last month, already has broken his 2-year-old team record with 4,550 yards passing.

"We've got other goals we're trying to accomplish," Warner said. "If they fall along the way, great, and if they don't, no big deal. Our goal is to win the Super Bowl."

The loss to St. Louis started a tailspin for the Falcons (7-8), who have dropped four of five after entering December with playoff hopes.

"I thought we were going to be better than we are," Reeves said. "I just think that we have to continue to get better, because right now we are not finishing games that we need to finish. We have played very poorly at times."

The major reason for concern for the Rams is the possibility rookie quarterback Michael Vick will get his second career start. Chris Chandler is doubtful with an elbow injury and Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, accounted for 277 yards in last week's 21-14 loss at Miami.

Reeves compares Vick favorably with John Elway in terms of athletic ability, and Martz has been dazzled by Vick's speed.

"It separates him from the likes of everbody," Martz said. "He is unusually fast, not just for a quarterback for a running back or a receiver or anybody."