(My Sportsbook) - The Cardinals got their edge back, both in the backfield and on the road.

The Cardinals used a two-pronged rushing attack Sunday to down the Rams in St. Louis, 34-20. Starting back Edgerrin James hit the 100-yard mark for the first time on the season, and Marcel Shipp added three rushing touchdowns in the victory.

The win snapped a seven-game road losing streak for the Cardinals, whose last win away from Arizona came on December 4th, 2005 against the 49ers.

While he didn't find the end zone, James' 115 yards rushing gave him his first 100-yard game as a Cardinal, something Arizona expected to happen a lot more when they signed the former Colt in the offseason.

Amazingly, and despite not hitting the 100-yard mark until the Cardinals' 12th game, James still became the third-fastest player in NFL history to record 50 100-yard games. The back accomplished the feat in his 108th career contest. Jim Brown did it in 102 games, while it took Eric Dickerson just 83 to do it.

"It was good for us," Cardinals head coach Dennis Green said of James' performance. "I think it's good for the team. I think that's kind of the benchmark of a good run day. We've had a 95 before, a 90, but if you go for over 100 yards, that's a good thing."

The Cardinals are still getting used to making the run game a staple of their offense, something many observers forget when they analyze James' season.

Edge's 100-yard day was the first for Arizona since Emmitt Smith scampered for 106 yards against Seattle on October 24, 2004. James, meanwhile, hit the plateau for the first time since December of 2005.

"I think 100 yards, because it's a team effort, it's the offensive line and tight ends, if they all can combine along with the back run and go for 100 yards, you have a chance to win," Green said. "Edgerrin's win-loss record when he goes over 100 yards is very high."

It is as a matter of fact. James and his teams improved to 44-6 when he rushes for at least 100 yards.

Not to be lost was Shipp finishing off the drives. All three of his TD runs came inside the 10, as he proved to be a nice complement to James' running style. Hopefully, it will be something the Cardinals will do more of.

Shipp, though, downplayed his seemingly new role.

"It is always hard," he said of his lack of carries so far. "I am a competitor and I want to be out there, but I understand my role on the team. I just want to be ready when I am called upon."

"It's a change of pace," Green said. "I think we had not run a lot of that I- formation down in (at the goal line). "I really felt the first touchdown (the Rams) were shocked. I think they clearly thought we were going to throw it. It was kind of a delayed inside handoff, and no one laid a glove on it."

It also gave the Cardinals an early 7-0 lead, and they never trailed in the game. It will now be interesting to see if Green looks to Shipp again next week in the red zone.

DEFENSE COMES UP BIG

Not to be outdone was Arizona's defense. While not spectacular, they did come up with some big plays.

The Cardinals D allowed Marc Bulger to pass for 314 yards, but picked him off three times in the win.

The biggest interception came in the fourth. St. Louis had just kicked a field goal to get within 24-13 less than 30 seconds into the final frame before the Rams defense forced Arizona to punt.

St. Louis was looking at an opportunity to get within four until David Macklin grabbed Bulger's pass attempt to Steven Jackson that the back tipped at the Arizona 25. Macklin then took the turnover 56 yards to the Ram 19-yard line.

Five plays later, Shipp scored his third TD to make it 31-13.

Green also praised the play of safety Adrian Wilson, who tied his career high with four interceptions when he picked off Bulger in the second quarter.

"Adrian made a great play right before the half," said Green. "Again, one more time, establishing that he is the most versatile safety, strong or free safety, in the National Football League. He can make those kinds of plays."

Wilson's interception also came in Arizona territory, and his return after the grab helped lead to Neil Rackers' 23-yard field goal that sent the Cards into the half with a 17-3 lead.

MORE ON THE RUN

Shipp scored a touchdown for the first time since December 15, 2002, a span of nearly four years. The game also marked the first time Arizona scored three rushing TDs in a regular-season game since 1998.

"I am just happy and thankful that I was able to get into the end zone three times," said Shipp. "I give a lot of the credit to the offensive line."

James, meanwhile, now needs only 190 yards to become the first Cardinals back since Adrian Murrell in 1998 to hit 1,000 rushing yards on the season. This despite not rushing for 100 yards in a game until Week 13.

Anyone else think that the 1,000-yard plateau on a season is less impressive ever since teams started playing 16 games?

James' 115-yard day also put him over 10,000 rushing yards in his career, making him the 19th player in league history to do so.

NEXT UP: HOSTING THE DIVISION LEADER

The 3-9 Cardinals can again play the role of spoiler this Sunday. Just as Arizona's win over the Rams put a damper on St. Louis' slim playoff hopes, a Cardinal win over Seattle this weekend could make things interesting in the NFC West.

The Seahawks, at 8-4, lead the division by three games over the Rams and 49ers.

Seattle has already recorded a win over Arizona this season, a 21-10 home victory in Week 2. The Seahawks have won their last three games against the Cardinals.

Arizona, having defeated the Detroit Lions in its last home game, is seeking back-to-back wins at home for the first time since 2004.