DETROIT (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Rams need a win or tie Sunday against the Detroit Lions to gain home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The Rams hold a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles for the conference's best record. Philadelphia won at Washington on Saturday night, forcing the Rams to secure homefield on their own.
Getting homefield would be a huge advantage for the Rams, who have won a franchise-record 14 straight games at the Edward Jones Dome.
The Rams have reeled off seven straight wins, their longest streak since an eight-game run in 2001. St. Louis reached the Super Bowl that season before losing to New England.
Marshall Faulk rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns and the Rams' defense came up with three interceptions in last Sunday's 27-10 victory over Cincinnati. Faulk has five 100-yard games in his past six contests, rushing for 619 yards during that span.
While Faulk is starting to carry the ground game, wide receiver Torry Holt has been a staple all season. He is the NFL's leading receiver with 112 catches for 1,642 yards to go along with 12 touchdowns.
The Lions are closing a disappointing campaign under Steve Mariucci, who is in his first season as coach. Detroit has lost three straight games and already clinched a last-place finish in the NFC North Division.
Last Sunday, the Lions set an NFL-record with their 24th straight road loss, a 20-14 defeat at Carolina. Quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Mike McMahon combined to complete 11-of-19 passes for just 53 yards and an interception.
St. Louis leads the series, 40-37-1.
