St. Louis 38, Carolina 32

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Marshall Faulk rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, one of them coming on a 70-yard jaunt, as the St. Louis Rams moved closer to the NFC West title with a 38-32 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina's franchise-record losing streak was extended to 13 games while St. Louis completed a perfect road campaign -- becoming the sixth team to do so since the AFL-NFL merger 31 years ago.

The NFL's most versatile back, Faulk scored on a four-yard run in the second quarter before breaking off his long run in the third, giving the Rams a 31-16 advantage. He carried 30 times, falling 18 yards shy of matching the best effort of his career.

"I just wanted to go out there and make plays," Faulk said. "The offensive line did a great job. The receivers and tight ends were also blocking great downfield. When they decided to defend against the pass that helped open our running game."

"We just felt like we needed to put the ball in Marshall's hands and let him be the deciding factor," Rams coach Mike Martz said.

Earlier this season, Faulk rushed for 183 yards in the Rams' 48-14 victory at Carolina. He scored on a 71-yard touchdown run in that contest.

"Marshall destroyed us the last time he played us and he did it again today," Panthers cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock said.

While Faulk carried the load on the ground, Kurt Warner did his part through the air, throwing for a pair touchdowns. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 217 yards and overcame two interceptions.

Ricky Proehl and Ernie Conwell had the touchdown receptions for the Rams (12-2), who will capture the NFC West title if they win one of their final two games or if San Francisco loses one of its last two contests.

Rookie Chris Weinke went 24 of 51 for 312 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (1-13), who have not won since a season-opening victory at Minnesota.

Since 1970, the only other teams to have had a perfect road record have been the 1972 Miami Dolphins, 1982 Washington Redskins, 1984 San Francisco 49ers, 1989 49ers and 1990 49ers.

"It's tough to win ballgames in the NFL period. To win eight on the road is special," Faulk said.

"We've played good teams on the road. It's a feather in our cap to win eight on the road but we have bigger goals in mind," Warner said.

Coming off a Monday night victory at New Orleans, the Rams got off to a slow start in this contest after Warner was intercepted on the third play from scrimmage by Hitchcock, who returned 30 yards to the St. Louis 28.

Two plays later, Weinke found Isaac Byrd open down the middle for a 27-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.

The normally quick-strike Rams took a long route to tie the game later in the quarter, needing 13 plays to move 80 yards. Faulk was huge on the drive, keeping it alive twice with runs on third down, and he also broke off a 20-yard run into Carolina territory.

Warner, however, capped the march by finding Proehl over the middle for a six-yard touchdown, tying the contest at 7-7 with 2:08 left in the quarter.

Nearly a two-touchdown underdog, the Panthers took a 10-7 lead with 4:10 left before intermission on John Kasay's 22-yard field goal.

But the Rams showed their ability to strike in a hurry, going 74 yards in four plays. Warner found Torry Holt for 46 yards to the Carolina 28, and Faulk capped the drive with a four-yard run, making it 14-10 with 2:06 left in the half.

The Rams increased the lead before halftime, thanks to a big play from their special teams.

Setting up for a 47-yard field goal with 57 seconds left in the half, the Panthers saw disaster strike when holder Todd Sauerbrun had Jason Kytle's snap go through his arms. Dre' Bly scooped up the ball and lateraled to Dexter McCleon, who ran the final 29 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 21-10 with 44 seconds left in the half.

Weinke connected with Donald Hayes on a 48-yard pass, setting up Kasay's 29-yard field goal as time expired in the half. Weinke went 13 of 23 for 203 yards in the opening two quarters.

"I thought he (Weinke) threw the ball down the field well," Panthers coach George Seifert said. "I think Chris, under the circumstances and all that we've put on him, has done a remarkable job."

The second half started like the first for the Rams after Warner was intercepted by rookie linebacker Dan Morgan at the St. Louis 20.

But the Panthers could only manage a 30-yard field goal by Kasay following the miscue.

Jeff Wilkins answered with a 34-yard field goal with 7:24 left in the quarter before Faulk delivered a crushing blow on the Rams' next offensive possession.

On first and 10 from the St. Louis 30, Faulk took a handoff and moved left. He cut back at the end of the line of scrimmage, darted into the middle of the field and outraced the Carolina secondary for a touchdown and 31-16 cushion with 3:21 left in the period.

"You have to go out and make plays," Warner said. "Marshall is just Marshall. You expect the unexpected from him. He's incredible."