The Rams defense opened the second half on a good note, with Chris Draft putting a big hit on Kurt Warner and oft-abused rookie cornerback  Jonathan Wade intercepting the bad pass that resulted.

That was the kid’s first career pick — and it put the Rams in position to do more damage. And look at this: Marc Bulger completed a 36-yard TD pass to Joe Klopfenstein (!) as the Rams cut Arizona’s lead to 24-13.

This play answered the much-asked question: “Is Joe Klopfenstein still alive?” The young tight end had remained off the radar screen all season, so let’s see if this long-awaited scoring  play gives him a boost heading into next season.

Warner came back with a swing pass to Edgerrin James for a first down. Then James got loose off left tackle for 25 yards and another first down.

In no time at all, Arizona was positioned to score more points. On fourth-and-four, Warner gunned a quick out to Bryant Johnson to keep his team moving toward the end zone.

Another completion to Larry Fitzgerald moved the ball to the Rams 6. What this man does to the Rams defense is almost criminal.

With the pitiable Wade covering Fitzgerald man-to-man in the left flat, Warner lofted the ball to the big fella and let him catch another TD pass.

This pushed the Gridbirds’ lead to 31-13. Ouch.

Derek Stanley flashed his speed on another exciting kickoff return, but, of course, the Rams were  flagged for a block in the back. Why wouldn’t they be? They stink.

The suffering continued when Bulger absorbed still another sack, this one a  possession-ender on third down.  Can you believe how bad these guys are?

James caught a safety-valve pass  from  Warner and went bowling for Rams,  knocking  down one would-be tackler after another during a 26-yard catch and run.

Finally, a Rams highight: O.J. Atogwe picked off Warner and  returned this interception  52 yards for a touchdown. Warner had a chance to tackle him before the end zone, but couldn’t do that job for one arm.

Bulger got picked off on the futile  two-point conversion try, so the Gridbird lead  stood at 31-19.