CHICAGO (Ticker) -- After defeating the Chicago Bears last season, St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger had to step aside for Kurt Warner.
But heading into Sunday's game against the Bears, Bulger is firmly entrenched as the starter on one of the NFL's best offensive teams.
Last November 18, Bulger completed 21-of-35 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, leading the Rams to a 21-16 victory over the Bears. He did most of his damage after injuring his right index finger in the first quarter.
But following the win, coach Mike Martz elected to go back to Warner, his former Super Bowl MVP, as the starter. However, Warner injured his thumb two weeks later.
That paved the way again for Bulger, who finished 6-1 as the Rams' starter last season. After losing the job in training camp this season, Bulger regained the job after Warner suffered a concussion in the opener.
This season, Bulger has gone 6-2 as the starter and has the Rams tied with Seattle for first-place in the NFC West. He has thrown 12 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions, leading the NFL's sixth-ranked scoring offense.
Last Sunday, Bulger struggled by completing just 13-of-26 passes for 110 yards with two interceptions in a 33-22 win over Baltimore. He also was sacked four times.
After missing five games with a knee and hand injury, Marshall Faulk returned and rushed for 48 yards and a pair of short touchdowns. But it was the Rams' defense that forced seven turnovers that led the way in the win over the Bears.
The Bears have turned the renovated Soldier Field into a home-field advantage this season, going 3-1. But they are 0-5 on the road.
One of those road losses came in last Sunday's 12-10 defeat to Detroit. The Bears struggled offensively, managing just 199 total yards and 11 first downs.
Chicago leads the series, 48-34-3.
