The St. Louis Rams handed the Falcons their first shutout defeat since 1993 when they thumped Atlanta 36-0 on Monday.
St. Louis (3-2) won its ninth consecutive home game while the Falcons suffered their fifth loss in a row and desperately need the injured Michael Vick back on the side.
PHOTO: AFP
The Falcons (1-5) contributed to their own downfall with an interception, a fumble and a blocked field goal in the opening half, after which they trailed 10-0 on a Jeff Wilkens field goal and Marc Bulger's three-yard quarterback keeper.
Bulger, subbing for former MVP Kurt Warner, went untouched up the middle with 1:22 left in the half.
Two and a half minutes into the second half, Bulger found Torry Holt in the right corner of the end zone to make it 17-0.
Atlanta's troubles continued when running back TJ Duckett was hauled down in his own end zone for a safety, the fourth conceded by Atlanta this season.
The 1999 Pittsburgh Steelers allowed five to set the NFL record.
Bulger again hooked up with Holt, who was surrounded by three defenders in the end zone, with 10:44 to play.
"We're trying to put together some wins," said Holt, who snagged 11 balls for 161 yards.
"We're just trying to play great football."
Bulger, who wound up with 352 yards passing, gave credit to his blockers.
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