ST. LOUIS (AP) – Look out NFL, the St. Louis Rams have a stingy defense to go with their precise offense.

Veteran Aeneas Williams forced two early turnovers as the Rams outclassed the Atlanta Falcons 36-0 Monday night. Atlanta managed only 209 yards in St. Louis’ first shutout in two years.

Williams, playing free safety this year for the first time after a stellar career as a cornerback, has 52 career interceptions, second to Oakland’s Rod Woodson among active players. He picked off Doug Johnson’s ill-advised first-quarter pass in the end zone, then knocked the ball free from Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler and recovered the fumble in the second period.

Both turnovers set up long drives for points as St. Louis took a 10-0 halftime lead.

Marc Bulger threw for 352 yards and the two touchdowns to Torry Holt.

Lamar Gordon, in his third start this season replacing injured Marshall Faulk, rushed for a career-high 92 yards and Holt had 11 receptions for 161 yards to spark the offense. Veteran receiver Isaac Bruce displayed his versatility with the second pass completion of his career.

St. Louis (3-2) won its ninth straight home game and handed the Falcons (1-5) their first shutout defeat since 1993. In a span of four plays in the third quarter, the Rams had three sacks. They never allowed Atlanta, ranked 27th in total offense, to threaten to get coach Dan Reeves his 200th career victory.

The Falcons have lost five in a row and are in desperate need of a healthy Michael Vick. Johnson, his replacement, made several critical mistakes and the St. Louis defense even recorded a safety when Leonard Little nailed T.J. Duckett trying to run out of the end zone in the third quarter.

It was the fourth safety the Falcons have yielded this season.