How else do you explain St. Louis getting its first win of the season on Sunday, a 19-17 victory over Washington, despite making the same mistakes that have plagued the team all year?

St. Louis' offense only gained 200 yards while the defense allowed the Redskins to rack up 368. Quarterback Marc Bulger, back as the starter under interim head coach Jim Haslett after being benched by Linehan, threw for a mere 136 yards, while running back Steven Jackson fumbled and was again held under 100 yards rushing. St. Louis also trailed late in the game despite taking a lead into the half for a second straight time.

The Rams were flagged 10 times for 79 yards as well, including a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct call on guard Richie Incognito that put a game-winning field goal try in doubt.

There is little doubt that two weeks ago, kicker Josh Brown would have missed his 49-yard field goal try that was backed up by Incognito's penalty as time expired. Even though Brown was brought in this offseason because of his ability to make clutch kicks, the dark cloud that was looming over St. Louis certainly would have pushed the ball wide.

That cloud was gone on Sunday, and Brown was staring at clear skies when he booted his game-winning kick that pushed the Rams to 1-4 on the season and snapped the club's eight-game losing streak dating back to last year.

Now with a win to build on, St. Louis and Haslett must begin to eliminate the things that were going wrong under Linehan. Mainly, scoring more points, playing better in the second half and staying healthy.

"Well, obviously we want to score some touchdowns," Haslett said on Monday. "I'm disappointed that we didn't score any touchdowns. I'm encouraged that we won the game without scoring any, so I think it is two-fold."

Regardless, no matter how ugly a win it was over the Redskins, who lost just their second game of the season on Sunday, it's still at least a solid start to what could be a turnaround for St. Louis.

UP NEXT: The Rams return home to take on the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas pounded St. Louis, 35-7, at home last year and also posted a win the last time the clubs met in St. Louis, back in 2002.

49ERS: CAN'T TAKE THE NEXT STEP

While the Cardinals were busy making a statement against the Cowboys and the Rams were off winning their first game of the season, the San Francisco 49ers were getting close to a big win of their own.

Though Philadelphia and San Francisco both entered Sunday's test with 2-3 marks, the Eagles presented a larger challenge than anything the NFC West has to offer. And for the most part, the 49ers were passing the test.

A blocked field goal by defensive end Ray McDonald that corner Donald Strickland took 41 yards for a score had San Francisco down by just one, 17-16, heading into the half. A Frank Gore touchdown run and Joe Nedney field goal in the third later had San Francisco up 26-17 and victory within its grasp.

However, the 49ers offense stalled, the Eagles posted 23 points in the fourth quarter -- with 13 coming off three 49er turnovers -- and San Francisco fell to a 40-26 defeat.

Despite the offensive output by Philadelphia, head coach Mike Nolan isn't planning on making changes to his defense.

"No, I'm looking for us to play better, and more than anything else, I think the players that we've got on the field are competent, quality players, and we have got to do a better job," he said on Monday. "We need to be confident in the things we're doing."

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