Rams implode under pressure

The Seahawks and St. Louis Rams provided some of the NFC West's best drama for so much of the previous four seasons.

Six of the past eight regular-season games between Seattle and St. Louis were decided by six points or less. The Rams erased a 17-point deficit in the final nine minutes of a 2004 game in Seattle. The Seahawks won two games on last-minute field goals last season.

Well, the Seahawks went and knocked the suspense out of this rivalry Sunday by beating the bejeezus out of quarterback Marc Bulger.

The Seahawks sacked him seven times and eventually Bulger opened up like a piñata and the turnovers came spilling out — two fumbles and three interceptions.

"When you turn the ball over the way we have turned the ball over the first seven games, you can't win," St. Louis coach Scott Linehan said. "And we've proved that."

Easy assessment for him. He wasn't the one standing in the pocket and staring down the barrel of the Seahawks' loaded pass rush.

Defensive end Darryl Tapp matched a franchise record with four sacks. Linebacker Leroy Hill had the biggest hit, coming on a blitz to knock Bulger to the turf and the ball out of his hands.

"When guys are getting to the quarterback early and sacking the quarterback early, it brings a little competition in you," defensive end Patrick Kerney said. "It makes you want to get in on the party."

Kerney had a sack. Julian Peterson, too.

The result on the other side was the Rams failed to score a touchdown against the Seahawks for the first time since Seattle joined St. Louis in the NFC West in 2002.

"Offensively, we stunk up the field the whole game," tight end Randy McMichael said.

No argument on that. At halftime, the Rams had two completions and suffered four sacks. By the end of the game, they committed five turnovers and scored just six points.

The Rams were missing starting running back Steven Jackson, who's out with a groin injury, but they did get Isaac Bruce back. His 31-yard reception was St. Louis' longest catch of the game.

The Rams have been riddled with injuries along their offensive line, and on Sunday the Seahawks made those blockers look like they were turnstiles as they passed right on through.

That resulted in more than just the seven sacks. The Seahawks also had three interceptions. Marcus Trufant picked off a pass intended for Bruce in the first half, Peterson faked a pass rush in the second half and then dropped into coverage to pick off a pass thrown to a running back. Safety Deon Grant picked off St. Louis' final pass of the game, leaping up with one hand and coming down with the ball for his second interception of the season.

"When you have pressure like that, and you're really getting to the quarterback, his timing isn't going to be there," Grant said.

Pressure bursts pipes. Sunday it also broke St. Louis' offense.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com