30 - 27

(Nov 23, 2003 · Week 12)

Touchdowns and big-time plays certainly speak to a quarterback’s greatness, but if football’s testy game has confirmed anything, just as much can be learned in terms of how they respond after turnovers. Stymied on five different occasions during Nov. 23, 2003’s NFC West showdown, Marc Bulger put resilience on showcase, piecing together a game-tying, 16-play, 82-yard drive, starting with back-to-back connections to his Pro Bowl wideout. Threatening to approach midfield and beyond, St. Louis’ gifted passer kept the pressure applied to Arizona with a 12-yard middle-of-the-field toss, and then a 23-yard laser in triple coverage, prompting a go-ahead field goal and, subsequently, overtime. Equally cold-blooded in the extra frame, Bulger’s clutch gene encouraged the Rams’ 30-27 win over the Cardinals, and a box score that included 329 yards (on 28-of-44 passing) and a touchdown.

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