The Browns make their first visit to St. Louis since 1979 (to play the Cardinals) and their first-ever appearance at the TWA Dome as these interconference foes battle for the first time since 1993.

Including postseason, the Browns own a 10-8 advantage in this once-storied series (including a 2-1 edge in the teams' three meetings in the NFL Championship Game) and have posted a 42-14 triumph in 1993 at Anaheim against the then-L.A. Rams in the last battle between these clubs.

Including postseason, the Browns are 4-5 in nine road tilts in this series dating back to dating back to 1951.

Numbers: The Browns have been limited to fewer than 250 total yards in each of their first 6 games in '99. They have allowed three or more sacks in each of their first six games in '99. The Browns have been limited to 17 or fewer points in each of their first six games in '99.

Rams QB Kurt Warner has thrown 15 touchdown passes and three interceptions in five games in '99 (5-0). 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). The Rams have scored 35 or more points in four straight games. They have scored 299 points in nine wins, 169 points in 12 losses dating back to '98. Their special teams have returned at least one kick (1 punt, 2 kickoffs) for a touchdown in three straight games. The Rams have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in five straight games

Things To Look For: Dick Vermeil's improved team is clicking on all cylinders as the defense and special team have now gotten into the scoring act, and that's bad news for a Browns' squad that is making strides but certainly doesn't have the firepower to keep pace with Kurt Warner and company. Overlooked to date has been the St. Louis defense, which figures to have another impressive afternoon.

Etc.: The Rams are 5-0 for the first time since 1989, when they were the L.A. Rams and finished 11-5 and earned a wild card berth (eventually losing the NFC Championship Game at San Francisco)--the last time the franchise qualified for the playoffs. They are 50-99 in the 1990s, 33-78 vs. NFC teams but 17-21 vs. AFC competition (5-1 dating back to '98). The Rams are just 5-11 in their last 16 games at the TWA Dome dating back to October of 1997, but have won four straight home games.