PHILADELPHIA -- Where in the world is "The Greatest Show on Turf?" It was nowhere to be found on Sunday, when the St. Louis Rams failed to score a touchdown for the first time in two years.

Could it be a thing of the past? And even if it returned, it would be too little, too late for this season. After losing to the Eagles 10-3, the Rams find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination.

"It's obviously frustrating to get things going and then keep shooting ourselves in the foot," said Rams quarterback Kurt Warner. "It's kind of been a theme for us this year."

	Warner

Amazingly, Warner is still winless this season. The Rams did get going after their 0-5 start, winning five straight with former third-stringer Marc Bulger. But Warner returned last week, and St. Louis has now suffered two tough losses in a row. The game against the Eagles, a rematch of last year's NFC championship game, was a must-win. The Rams didn't get it done.

"We felt like we had our opportunities, and we just didn't cash in on them," said running back Marshall Faulk. "It was there. It was obvious that it was there. We had our moments."

Faulk must have been talking about a different game. The Eagles boast one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, and they completely stymied the Rams' high-octane offensive attack. Warner was sacked eight times, threw two picks, and lost two fumbles. He rarely had time to find his receivers, and even when he did they were often blanketed by the Eagles secondary.

Wideout Isaac Bruce buried his head in a towel on the bench for several minutes in the third quarter, with the game still very much up for grabs. Warner wore a befuddled, frustrated look on his face on several occasions.

What has gone so terribly awry? Injuries have been big, against the Eagles, and all season long. Warner still doesn't look comfortable handling the ball. Faulk didn't start against Philadelphia, played hurt, and finished with just 29 yards on nine carries. And Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Pace left the game early with a knee injury.

But there's something else missing. A little magic, perhaps.

"The stars have to be aligned," said Faulk. "Everything has to be right for you to win a football game, for you to win games throughout the season, for you to get to the playoffs, win playoff games and Super Bowls. It's a special thing."

The Rams don't have that this season. Now they must win their final four games -- and even then, their postseason possibilities are slim.

"I'm not worried about the final four or five weeks," said Rams coach Mike Martz. "I'm worried about Kansas City. For us it's been a week-to-week deal each week and that's been enough."

But some players are already looking ahead.

"This team will be back on top," said Warner. "There is no question in my mind about that. We are going to keep fighting, swinging till the end, and see how things play out."

The show must go on.

Kieran Darcy covers the NFL for ESPN The Magazine.