PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : TONIGHT’S GAME : Falcons, Rams in Key Matchup

The winner of tonight’s game at St. Louis between the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons and the 4-1 Rams (5 p.m., TNT) keeps pace with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. Sure, just as everyone predicted before the season began. Atlanta is off to its best start since 1986, the Rams since 1988. The Falcons have won 13 consecutive games when limiting opponents to 20 points or fewer. The Rams are averaging 23.4 points a game. Quarterback Chris Miller made one start against his former team last year and was intercepted three times in a 31-13 loss. Atlanta quarterback Jeff George was 2-0 against the Rams last season. St. Louis running back Jerome Bettis has fallen on his face mask this season with only 259 yards in 79 carries, but the Rams will be throwing against the league’s 28th-ranked pass defense. The Rams, however, will be without wide receiver Alexander Wright, who needs back surgery to repair a bulging disk and will be out four to six weeks. He will be replaced by Jessie Hester.