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The St. Louis Rams lost their quarterback Sunday -- and a chance to lock up home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Marc Bulger was knocked out in the fourth quarter of a costly 30-20 loss at Detroit and replaced by Kurt Warner.
The Rams said Bulger
left with a bruised forearm, but he also had a welt near his right ear after
he was sacked on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Otis Smith.
St. Louis coach Mike Martz said Bulger was taken out because he was concerned
about the hits Bulger was taking. Martz also said he planned to play Warner
against the Lions.
``I don't need a reason, nor do I complain,'' said Bulger, who was 18-of-31 for 170 yards with one TD, one interception and two fumbles.
Warner, a two-time NFL MVP, had not played since he sustained a concussion in a loss to the New York Giants in Week 1.
St. Louis squandered a chance to ensure it will play at home throughout the playoffs; the Philadelphia Eagles have that edge instead. But the Rams still get a first-round bye and a week off, which could come in handy for Bulger and wide receiver Isaac Bruce.
Bruce started against the Lions, but did not play much because of a nagging ankle injury.
Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair did not play in a 33-13 victory over Tampa Bay, resting his aching legs for the playoffs.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said McNair could have played, but he chose to avoid risking another injury to a quarterback who already has a strained right calf and a sprained left ankle with a cracked bone spur. McNair played last week at Houston, but has not practiced for three straight weeks.
The Titans are seeded fifth in the AFC playoffs and will play a wild-card game in Baltimore next Saturday.
The Buccaneers, who already had 11 players on injured reserve, also lost safety John Lynch (right shoulder) and defensive tackle Anthony McFarland (left ankle) by halftime.
They'll have plenty of time to recover because Tampa Bay (7-9) became the first defending Super Bowl champion to finish with a losing record since Denver in 1999.
Rookie quarterback Rex Grossman of the Chicago Bears injured his hand in the second quarter of a 31-3 loss in Kansas City and was replaced by Kordell Stewart. X-rays were negative.
Grossman was making his third NFL start after winning his first two.
Packers guard Mike Wahle broke the ring finger on his left hand in the first half, but returned against Denver. Linebacker Na'il Diggs strained a shoulder and running back Najeh Davenport strained his neck.
Green Bay won the NFC North and will host Seattle in a first-round playoff game next Sunday.
Referee Bernie Kukar was forced to leave the Panthers-Giants game in the third quarter after being hit in the back by New York safety Clarence LeBlanc, who was trying to recover a blocked punt.
Kukar hurt his ankle and shoulder and stayed on the ground flat on his back for about five minutes. He got up and hopped to a golf cart and was taken off the field.
Field Judge Gene Steratore
took over as the referee.