Despite the loss at New England, the Rams (2-5) will be just one game out of first place in the NFC West if they can knock off the division-leading Cardinals (4-3) at the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday. A game behind at the halfway mark . . . you’d have taken that at the start of the season, right Jim Haslett?

After pausing, Haslett said: “I don’t know. I’d like to think we were in first place. I just like the opporunity. I’m glad we’re having the opportunity to play some of the teams in our division, and I think the next five or six weeks will tell us where we’re going to be.”

<><><>

With practices now open to the media, we were able to watch the Rams work on the onside kick play that worked to perfection opening the second half Sunday. If they ran it once last week, they ran it 20 times, trying to make sure that everyone had their assignments down.

Travis Minor grabbed Josh Brown’s kick, giving the Rams possession at their 41-yard line. But they didn’t capitalize, going three-and-out.

“We thought we might have an opportunity to get it . . . we were just trying to get a possession from that team,” Haslett explained. “I didn’t think it’d work that easy. The guys did a good job blocking, ‘Q’ (Quinton Culberson) and Corey Chavous, and Travis had the most difficult part, getting the ball. They executed it very well.”

<><><>

Notes & quotes:

*S Oshiomogho Atogwe has three interceptions in the last two games, and 11 in his last 15. But he won’t talk about it — not to reporters, anyway. Atogwe is taking what he calls a “hiatus from the media.” Why? “It’s messing up my head,” he said. But Atogwe assured that he’d let us know when the hiatus has ended. “I’ll send out a memo or something,” he quipped.

*RB Antonio Pittman produced 105 total yards — 83 rushing, 22 receiving — as Steven Jackson’s stand-in. Jackson is averaging 127.8 yards per game.

*Special-teams penalties did significant field-position damage to the Rams.

*DE Eric Moore saw his most extensive action of the season, and had a nice outing. He picked up a sack among his three tackles, and had two quarterback hits.

*DE Leonard Little believes that the twinge he felt in his right hamstring, which sent him to the sideline in the early going, might’ve been just some scar tissue tearing. Little missed two games with a pull in the same muscle earlier this season.

*CB Tye Hill, who has missed three games after having knee surgery, will be back at practice this week and could suit up Sunday vs. the Cards.

All for now . . .