Bulger Shows the Rams He Can Go Home Again

With Marc Bulger making himself right at home, the St. Louis Rams finally played as well on the road and in the rain as in their comfortable dome.

Bulger passed for 375 yards and a touchdown in his Pittsburgh homecoming and rookie Arlen Harris ran for three touchdowns in his first start, leading the Rams past the slumping Steelers, 33-21, Sunday.

The Rams (5-2) won their fourth in a row and, just as significantly, won on the road for only the second time in 11 games -- and in a city where they were 0-4 since 1971. Their only road win last season was at Arizona.

“It’s not about where I’m from, it’s about our team winning on the road. We beat a good team in a tough environment,” said Bulger, a former Pittsburgh high school star.

The Steelers (2-5) wasted two big plays by Antwaan Randle El, including an 84-yard punt return touchdown, to drop their fourth consecutive game and third in a row at home.

The Steelers’ start is their worst since they were 1-6 in 1988, en route to a 5-11 finish. They fell two games behind AFC North leader Baltimore and dropped into last place in the division.

Bulger, who played at the same high school that produced Dan Marino, shook off a steady, chilly rain and the hoopla surrounding the 1,000th game in Steeler history. He set the tone on the Rams’ first official play from scrimmage, hitting NFL receiving leader Torry Holt in stride for 48 yards.

The Steelers rallied to lead, 21-20, after Tommy Maddox threw two touchdown passes to Hines Ward. Maddox finished with 159 yards passing.