Defense, Phillips Key Rams

Rookie Lawrence Phillips scored two touchdowns to help the St. Louis Rams overcome three turnovers to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals, 26-16, Sunday.

“We were the one that hung in and made the fewest mistakes,” St. Louis Coach Rich Brooks said after the Rams took advantage of five Cincinnati turnovers. “I think this team showed some good resolve and character.”

Each of the Rams’ featured new players on offense--quarterback Steve Walsh and first-round picks Eddie Kennison and Phillips--had a turnover. But Phillips also scored on two one-yard runs.

Walsh was booed throughout the third quarter by a sellout crowd of 62,659 that chanted for rookie Tony Banks as Walsh completed seven of 23 passes for 97 yards through three quarters. But he led a 16-point fourth-quarter comeback.

“I know I played sloppy, and offensively we played sloppy,” said Walsh, who finished 13 for 35 for 154 yards and an interception. “That’s obviously a good feeling, because you know you can do better.”

Kennison had a 40-yard punt return and four catches for 70 yards.

“Mistakes killed us,” said Cincinnati quarterback Jeff Blake, who completed 23 of 40 passes for 226 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. “We moved the ball up and down the field.”

Cincinnati led, 16-7, at halftime but fell apart over a 13-minute span in the second half with an interception, two lost fumbles, a blocked punt and an interference call in the end zone that led to a Ram touchdown.