National Football League

Bradford throws 2 TDs as Rams beat Panthers 20-10

Published Nov. 1, 2010 6:45 a.m. ET

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Sam Bradford is starting to get comfortable in his rookie season, and the St. Louis Rams are finally moving on from last season's 1-15 debacle.

''I felt very comfortable out there today, probably the most comfortable I've felt,'' said Bradford, who threw two touchdown passes to help the Rams beat the Carolina Panthers 20-10 on Sunday. ''I think the game is really slowing down for me.''

That's good news for the Rams and their No. 1 overall pick.

Bradford threw a 2-yard scoring pass to Danny Amendola in the second quarter and a 23-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Fells in the fourth. He was 25 for 32 for 191 yards and no interceptions, with a season-best quarterback rating of 112.4.

The defense chipped by forcing four turnovers to help St. Louis reached the season's midway point at 4-4 and in contention in the NFC West. The Rams go into their bye week with more wins than the previous two seasons combined - the Rams were 2-14 in 2008.

It could be even better. St. Louis has surrendered more than 17 points just once and lost two games after leading in the fourth quarter.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo isn't worrying about what could have been.

''Everything that we had in front of us is still there,'' Spagnuolo said. ''The NFC West is the first focus and we'll go from there.''

Things aren't so rosy for Carolina (1-6). Matt Moore was 23 for 37 for 194 yards. One of his three interceptions, and a fumble by Steve Smith, led to 10 St. Louis points in the fourth quarter.

''You're just not going to win games, especially on the road, when you turn it over that many times, so it was frustrating,'' Carolina coach John Fox said.

Fox gave Moore a vote of confidence - sort of - when asked if he'll start next week against New Orleans.

''I think right now Matt gives us our best chance,'' Fox said. ''We'll evaluate it after we look at the tape. We've got to do something to be better and execute more consistently on offense.''

The Panthers, who entered the game ranked next-to-last in total offense, mustered just 201 total yards. They missed Pro Bowl running back DeAngelo Williams, out with a foot injury sustained in last weekend's win over San Francisco. His replacement, Jonathan Stewart, carried 14 times for 30 yards. Overall, the Panthers rushed 17 times for 25 yards.

Still, Carolina had the ball at midfield, down 10-3 with a chance to tie early in the fourth quarter. But Smith fumbled after catching a pass and Chris Long recovered, giving St. Louis the ball at the Carolina 43.

Five plays later, on third-and-18, Bradford rolled to his right and connected with Fells in stride, and he went into the end zone to make it 17-3.

James Hall hit Moore's arm on Carolina's next possession, causing the pass to be intercepted by James Butler and setting up a field goal to make it 20-3.

Carolina scored with 3:37 to play on Moore's 17-yard pass to Brandon LaFell.

After a sluggish first quarter - both teams combined for four first downs and 44 yards - St. Louis opened the scoring on Josh Brown's 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The kick ended a scoreless drought for St. Louis from the second quarter of last week's 18-17 loss at Tampa Bay.

The Rams made it 10-0 with 2:07 to go in the half on Bradford's short pass to Amendola. Carolina responded with a drive ending in Kasay's 44-yard field goal during the final minute of the half.

Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis had eight tackles, one sack and one interception. Long had a sack, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Laurinaitis said the defensive toughness is a reflection of Spagnuolo, the second-year coach who was defensive coordinator for the New York Giants' Super Bowl-winning team in 2008.

''He's a tough guy who preaches playing with heart and passion and that's what these guys do,'' Laurinaitis said.

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