ST. LOUIS RAMS Bulger's effectiveness balanced by the defense

The Rams will try for their fifth straight win tonight against Chicago.
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- There is more to the St. Louis Rams' turnaround than the startling rise of Marc Bulger from third-string quarterback. Quietly, the defense has salvaged what once seemed a lost season.
The Rams have won four straight games after an 0-5 start, and tonight can finally get to .500 with a victory over Chicago. The Bears (2-7) are caught in a tailspin, having lost seven in a row.
Bulger has been extraordinary while filling in for injured Kurt Warner, holding the NFL's best passer rating. Bulger has thrown 10 touchdown passes to just three interceptions and will be going for his fifth straight victory.
Warner healing
Still, he might be headed to the bench soon, with Warner expected to reclaim the starting job.
Warner is recovering from a broken pinkie and will be the backup tonight, although team doctors would prefer he not play this week to avoid risking injury.
"I'm just glad I'm not the one who has to make the decisions," wide receiver Torry Holt said. "Whoever is in there, we'll depend on them to make some plays."
Another concern is the health of Marshall Faulk. The running back left last week's game with ankle and foot injuries and missed three practices this week. It's not clear if he will play.
"He's made remarkable progress each day so I wouldn't rule him out," coach Mike Martz said. "But I'm very pessimistic about it."
Making a stand
For all of Bulger's big numbers, and the threat posed by Faulk, consider the play of the Rams' defense: During the four-game winning streak, opponents have scored only one offensive touchdown a game.
St. Louis has forced 11 turnovers in that stretch, holding the Chargers to a season-low 126 yards passing last week. San Diego's final six possessions ended with four punts and two interceptions.
Defensive lineman "Tyoka Jackson walks into the locker room at halftime and says, 'We're not losing this one, we're just not losing this one,' " Martz said. "I'm proud of how they stood their ground. They could have gotten demoralized."
The Rams often use a unique 4-1-6 alignment that features a lone linebacker, Tommy Polley, and six defensive backs. Rookie Robert Thomas could start at linebacker, but whenever the opposition trots out three or more wide receivers, defensive coordinator Lovie Smith makes his countermove.
The defense has thrived despite the absence of All-Pro cornerback Aeneas Williams, who was lost for the season with ankle and leg injuries two weeks ago.