However much St. Louis has stunk this season, nobody would argue it is a better team without quarterback Marc Bulger, running back Steven Jackson and aging-but-still-better-than-a-backup offensive left tackle Orlando Pace.

Those are the players who missed most of a 27-3 loss to Chicago on Sunday, the sixth Rams loss this season by 20 or more points. Rams interim coach Jim Haslett said he expects Pace (knee) and Bulger (concussion) back this week.

''I would think those two, based off what I saw [Wednesday], they'd be OK,'' Haslett said. ``And Steven, I would think, is more [that] we'll see what he does [Thursday].''

Jackson has missed four of the past five games because a thigh problem, but is still the Rams' leading rusher by almost 300 yards.

Incidentally, in relief of Bulger last week, the Rams used former Dolphins quarterback Trent Green, who has had two concussions. Green went 16 of 30 and threw four interceptions. Earlier this season, when now-fired coach Scott Linehan replaced Bulger with Green for one start, Green went 17 of 32 with one interception in a 31-14 loss to Buffalo.

FAIR AND SQUARE

Some coaches, among them Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells, openly declare there are different rules for different players. The stars get more leeway. Others maintain everyone gets treated the same.

Based on what he said Wednesday, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano falls into the latter category -- maybe.

''It's all the same to me,'' Sparano said. ``Since the day I got here, I haven't treated anyone any different one way or the other.

``I look at every case depending on who does what and why and how it occurs, but you look at every case separately as they come up because, sometimes, the punishment needs to fit the crime.''

ALLEN INJURED

Defensive back Jason Allen joked that his right wrist was wrapped in a cast ''just for looks'' as he walked through the locker room. Sparano admitted Allen injured the hand Sunday.

''Actually, it was after the game, late after the game I think where this thing kind of came up,'' Sparano said.

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