Marc Bulger’s strike to Torry Holt up the left sideline gave the Rams a first down at the Atlanta 2.

And the Rams wasted no time converting the opportunity, with Steven Jackson getting around right tackle for his second touchdown of the game.

(There was a little belated payoff for fantasy football players who spent a high first-round draft pick on Jackson. He has 170 yards from scrimmage more than 13 minutes left on the clock.)

Then Rams cornerback Ron Bartell literally stole what would have been a go-ahead touchdown from the Falcons. He hustled after Michael Turner, ripped the ball loose at the end of Turner’s 72-yard run and recovered the ball in the end zone.

What a play by the pending free agent. How important is Bartell to this team’s future?

The Falcons challenged the call, but the on-field fumble ruling stood. The Rams got the ball back.

Steven Jackson moved the chains, once, with a great catch-and-run play for 12 yards. But then the Rams had to punt the ball to Atlanta and hope for the best.

And look at this: Jonathan Wade picked off a Matt Ryan pass and put the Rams at the Falcons 22. No, seriouslly, that was Jonathan Wade intercepting that pass.