The St Louis Rams are on course to end their losing streak at five games having taken a 7-0 lead into the halfway stage of a low-scoring NFL clash with the Detroit Lions.

With both sides posting 4-8 records after 12 games of the season, the Edward Jones Dome was notably sparse in terms of attendance, and those who did show up were not given much to shout about.

Just one drive made it into opposing territory during a scoreless opening quarter, and it was a similar story for much of the second as both the passing and running games failed to bear fruit.

It took a mistake for the first points to finally come, when Matt Stafford's pass intended for Calvin Johnson was intercepted by Trumaine Johnson, who returned it 58 yards for the touchdown.

Any hopes that the opening score might bring about an improvement were misplaced as the offensive struggles for both sides continued, leaving it as a seven-point game at the break.