Rams lose Bulger, still beat hapless 49ers

ST. LOUIS — Marshall Faulk’s understudy looks like he’s ready now.

Steven Jackson ran for 119 yards on 26 carries, his first career 100-yard game, to help the St. Louis Rams compensate for Marc Bulger’s shoulder injury in a 16-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Jackson was the first running back taken in this year’s draft and he took advantage of Faulk’s bruised left knee to get his first full game.

Bulger left with a sprained right shoulder after a sack by Bryant Young late in the first quarter. His replacement, 38-year-old Chris Chandler, threw his first TD pass in more than a year.

The Rams became the fifth NFL franchise to win 500 games.

Lions 26, Cardinals 12

Kevin Jones ran for 196 yards and a touchdown to lead Detroit over visiting Arizona, ending the Lions’ five-game losing streak and keeping their playoff hopes alive in the muddled and mediocre NFC.

Arizona lost their third straight with their third quarterback in four weeks. Rookie John Navarre, who hadn’t taken a snap in the regular season, threw four interceptions and was 18 of 39 for 168 yards with a TD.

Mead High school graduate Jason Hanson was 4 for 4 on field goals.