By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - Show-Me-State bragging rights and a trophy called the Governor's Cup are just about all that will be at stake on Thursday night, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the St. Louis Rams in the final preseason tune-up for both clubs.

Both residents of Missouri are trying to rebound from dismal 2007 seasons, as the Rams started 0-8 en route to a 3-13 finish and the Chiefs lost their final nine to finish with an anchor at 4-12.

Flashes of hope have been seen for each club during this preseason, however.

The Rams put together their best game of the preseason to date in last Saturday's 24-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens, with quarterback Marc Bulger shaking off a couple of weak performances with a crisp one.

Bulger was 18-of-25 for 182 yards with two touchdown passes against the Ravens, the first preseason TD drives the starter has engineered since Scott Linehan became head coach in 2006.

The offensive performance came despite the absence of running back Steven Jackson, who settled a contract dispute with the club last week but did not suit up.

Bulger, Jackson and the Rams starters will likely see only brief time on Thursday, if they play at all.

Kansas City's positive signs have come from the renewed health of running back Larry Johnson and the play of some of the team's young talent, though last Saturday's 24-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins probably didn't fill Chiefs fans with hope.

All three K.C. quarterbacks - starter Brodie Croyle and backups Damon Huard and Tyler Thigpen - threw interceptions in that contest.

One new Chief that fans at Arrowhead Stadium won't have a chance to see on Thursday is kicker Jay Feely. Feely, signed on Monday to compete with Connor Barth and Nick Novak, was subsequently cut by the team on Tuesday after missing more kicks than the other two players in practice.

Linebackers Donnie Edwards (hamstring) and Napoleon Harris (knee), both of whom have missed the entire preseason to date, are both expected to suit up against the Rams.

Both the Rams and Chiefs will begin their regular season campaigns on the road. St. Louis will travel to meet Philadelphia on Sept. 7, while Kansas City will visit defending AFC Champion New England the same day.

St. Louis holds an 11-7 edge in the all-time preseason series with the Chiefs, including a 10-3 home victory prior to last season.