DETROIT 30, ST LOUIS 20

DETROIT (Ticker) -- Kurt Warner could not rescue the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams squandered away home-field advantage in the playoffs as Marc Bulger struggled before leaving with an injury in a stunning 30-20 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Riding a seven-game winning streak and needing a victory to ensure that the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC would go through the Edward Jones Dome, where they have won 14 straight games, the Rams wasted a 20-10 halftime lead against the lowly Lions.

"It's very disappointing, particularly in the second half," Rams coach Mike Martz said. "There were so many mistakes in this game in so many different areas. This team wasn't prepared. That's my responsibility. They weren't focused, not like they need to be. We will regroup and make the repairs."

The loss by the Rams (12-4) allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to gain homefield. St. Louis still has a first-round bye.

Bulger made plenty of costly mistakes, losing two fumbles and throwing an interception in the second half. His turnovers led to 10 points for the Lions (5-11), who closed a disappointing season under coach Steve Mariucci.

"It was as important as a playoff game, trying to win it for a purpose," Mariucci said. "The purpose was to gain homefield advantage so we had to match that intensity and make it important for us so that became our playoff game, too."

Bulger, who was under pressure for much of the game, was knocked out of the contest with an injured left forearm after getting sacked by cornerback Otis Smith with just under 13 minutes remaining.

Bulger, who finished 18-of-31 for just 170 yards and one touchdown, said his injury is not serious.

"There's a big bruise on my forearm, but I think everybody in this locker room has huge bruises like that," Bulger said. "It won't be a long-term thing."

The injury brought on Warner, the Rams' discarded former Super Bowl and NFL MVP who had not played since Week One. But Warner could not rally the Rams as he completed just 4-of-11 passes for 23 yards.

"For whatever reason, we didn't come out and play our best football today," Warner said. "We've done that a few times this year and were able to get by."

It was a struggle for much of the game for the Rams' high-powered offense that manged just 194 yards and 13 first downs. Detroit employed a blitzing style the entire game.

Torry Holt, the NFL's leading receiver was held to five catches for 54 yards. Marshall Faulk also was not much of a factor as he rushed for just 35 yards on 12 attempts.

Joey Harrington, who has come under criticism in his second season in Detroit, picked the final week to have one of his best games. He went 26-of-36 for 238 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.