ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers appear to have the odds stacked against them heading into Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the St. Louis Rams.
After all, the Rams could put their speed to work on the turf at the Edward Jones Dome, where they have won a franchise-record 14 straight games, dating to September 29, 2002.
The Rams were dominant at home this season, winning by an average of 17.1 points.
"Obviously, they are going to be a very worthy challenge for us at their place where their record is good," Panthers coach John Fox said. "We're going to give it our best shot."
Rams quarterback Marc Bulger also has never lost at home, posting a 13-0 record. But this will be the first career playoff game for Bulger, who took over as the permanent starter from Kurt Warner in Week Two.
With Warner, the Rams enjoyed an abundance of playoff success. They won Super Bowl XXXIV in January 2000 and lost in Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002.
Bulger, who tied for the league lead with 22 interceptions, will face pressure from the Panthers' talented defensive line that features Pro Bowl tackle Kris Jenkins and end Julius Peppers.
Peppers will be matched against right tackle Kyle Turley. Right end Mike Rucker goes up against perennial Pro Bowler Orlando Pace.
Even with Bulger's struggles, the Rams tied for second in the league with 447 points this season. Bulger still has Marshall Faulk in the backfield and the NFL's leading receiver in Torry Holt, who had 117 catches for 1,696 yard and 12 touchdowns.
The Panthers ranked ninth against the pass this season. Cornerbacks Ricky Manning Jr. and Reggie Howard match up against Holt and Isaac Bruce.
Making just their second postseason appearance and first since 1996, the Panthers were brilliant in the wild card round last week with a 29-10 victory over Dallas. Carolina became the first team since Pittsburgh in Super Bowl X to go through a postseason game without a turnover or penalty.
Jake Delhomme shined in his first career playoff game, completing 18-of-29 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown, and Stephen Davis rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Davis ranked seventh in the NFL with 1,444 yards rushing this season. He will be counted on heavily against the Rams, who allowed 123.8 yards per game on the ground to rank 21st in the league.
The series between the former NFC West rivals is tied, 7-7. The Rams scored 86 points in winning the last two contests between the teams in 2001.
