Rams edge Jets in OT to extend season

By R.B. Fallstrom
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis coach Mike Martz couldn't care less that his team finished .500. Somehow, they are in the playoffs.

Rams kicker Jeff Wilkins, who kicked the game-winning 31-yard field goal, is embraced by teammate Dane Looker. Kyle Ericson • Associated Press

"This is why you coach, for moments like this," Martz said. "It really is."

The Rams (8-8) won a finale that, in the end, they needed much more than the Jets. For much of the game, they played more like the team that was supposed to be one of best in the NFC than the seemingly crumbling franchise that had lost four of five entering the weekend.

Now they will play at Seattle in the first round Saturday.

"We've just had a million things go wrong, and goofy things happen all year," guard Adam Timmerman said. "We kept fighting and fighting, and to get in the playoffs is one of those really sweet things."

The Jets (10-6) qualified as an AFC wild card before the game even ended, when the Bills lost to the Steelers. They play at San Diego on Saturday night.

"I hate to lose getting in," coach Herman Edwards said. "But we'll take it."

Marc Bulger went 29 for 39 for 450 yards and three touchdowns, and Wilkins won it with 3:03 left in overtime for the Rams' fourth playoff berth in five seasons under Martz.

New York enters the postseason on a downer, having gone 5-6 in its final 11 games following a 5-0 start.

Shaun Ellis had three sacks for the Jets. He also tipped a pass that Jonathan Vilma returned 38 yards for a score to give the Jets a 26-21 lead in the third quarter.

"The feeling would have been a lot better had we won," Ellis said. "Our mood is kind of like in the middle, so we just have to put this game behind us and get ready for next week."

New York's Curtis Martin had 153 yards on 28 carries, winning the NFL rushing title with 1,697 yards by one yard over Shaun Alexander of the Seahawks while moving into fourth place on the NFL career rushing list.