The Rams make their way to the City of Brotherly Love for the second straight season to face the Eagles (off last week) looking to end their losing ways in this closely-contested series.

Including playoffs, while the Rams still own a 16-14-1 edge in the standings, the Eagles have prevailed in three straight and five of the last six encounters dating back to 1986 (the Rams' lone victory over that stretch a 21-7 triumph at Philadelphia in the 1989 NFC Wild Card Playoffs), including a less-than-memorable 17-14 Thursday night triumph (ESPN) last season at Philadelphia (Week 14) in the most recent battle between the clubs. Including playoffs, the Rams are just 2-5 in their last seven visits to Veterans Stadium dating back to 1983.

Numbers: In 15 games in '99, Rams RB Marshall Faulk has rushed for 1,302 yards and six touchdowns, plus caught 84 passes for 1,021 yards and four touchdowns, making Faulk just the second player in NFL history to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season (San Francisco 49ers' RB Roger Craig in 1985). In his last 31 games dating back to last season (16 with Colts in '98, 15 with Rams in '99), Faulk has gained 4,550 yards from scrimmage and scored 20 touchdowns, rushing for 2,621 yards and 12 touchdowns, plus catching 170 passes for 1,929 yards and 8 touchdowns. Rams QB Kurt Warner has thrown 39 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 15 games in '99 (13-2). In '98, since-departed Rams QBs Tony Banks and Steve Bono combined to throw just 12 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions in 16 games in '98 (4-12). Warner has thrown two or more touchdown passes in five straight games and 13-of-15 contests in '99. Warner has thrown three or more touchdown passes in 9-of-15 contests in '99. The Rams are 13-2 in 1999 and are an NFL-best plus-291 in point differential (495-204). From 1990-98, Rams were 45-99 and were an NFL-worst minus-886 (2,595-3,481) in point differential. In 15 games in '99 (13-2), the Rams have outscored the opposition a combined 116-46 (plus-70) in the first quarter. In 16 games in '98 (4-12), the Rams were outscored a combined 116-37 (minus-79) in the first quarter. They have scored 563 points in 17 wins, 217 points in 14 losses dating back to '98. The Rams have scored 30 or more points in five straight games. The Rams have forced two or more turnovers in seven straight games. WR Isaac Bruce has scored at least one touchdown in 9-of-15 contests in '99. The Rams have allowed 19 sacks in 13 wins, 10 sacks in 2 losses in '99. They have forced 34 turnovers in 13 wins, 0 takeaways in 2 losses in '99. The Rams have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in four straight games. They have limited the opposition to 14 or fewer points in three straight games.

The Eagles have forced 39 turnovers in 15 games in '99, this after totaling an NFL-low 17 takeaways in 16 games in '98. The Eagles have totaled 24 interceptions in 15 games in '99, this after totaling just nine interceptions in 16 games in '98. They have forced two or more turnovers in 10-of-15 contests in '99. The Eagles have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games. The Eagles have been limited to 17 or fewer points in 26 of their 31 contests dating back to 1998. They have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 21 of their last 31 contests dating back to '98. The Eagles have allowed 167 sacks in their last 47 games (1997-99). They have allowed 201 points in 13 wins (15.5 avg.), 841 points in 33 losses and a tie (24.7 avg.) dating back to '97.

Things to look for: While his team has nothing to play for but some personal milestones, it would probably still mean a lot to Dick Vermeil to leave Philadelphia this time around with a victory. The scrappy Eagles won't make things easy for the new NFC West champions, but Andy Reid's club just doesn't possess the firepower needs to give these amazing Rams a serious run for their money.

Etc.: Rams head coach Dick Vermeil coaches his second game in Philadelphia since returning to the NFL in 1997; Vermeil posted a 57-51 record as Eagles' head coach from 1976-82. The Rams are NFC West champions for the first time since 1985 and have won 13 games during the regular season for the first time ever. QB Kurt Warner is the NFL's top-rated passer with a 111.7 rating; the last Rams' player to lead the NFL in passing was then-L.A. Rams' QB Norm Van Brocklin in 1954 , who threw for 2,637 yards, 13 touchdowns and 21 interceptions that season and was designated the league's top passer (before the current rating system was implemented in 1973). Warner leads the NFL with 39 touchdown passes; the last Rams' player to lead the NFL in touchdown passes was the-L.A. Rams' QB Jim Everett (29 TD passes in 1989). The Rams have won seven straight games. The Rams have won three straight road games. Eagles PK Norm Johnson has converted an NFL-record 296 consecutive PATs