Rams’ Jackson comes through loud and clear

Barry Wilner

Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004 | 9:24 a.m.

ST. LOUIS -- Behind rookie Steven Jackson's best performance of his brief pro career, the St. Louis Rams stayed alive for the NFC West crown or a wild-card berth.

"It was a statement game for me," said Jackson, a Las Vegas native and Eldorado High graduate who rushed for 148 yards and a 5-yard touchdown before bruising his right knee in the fourth quarter of a 20-7 win against Philadelphia on Monday night. "It was a must-win game. I wanted to come out and run the ball pretty hard when I had the opportunities. I wanted to make up for lost time."

Jackson, a first-round draft choice and the first running back selected last April, missed the past two losses that dropped the Rams to the edge of elimination. A previous knee injury sidelined him two weeks ago, then coach Mike Martz didn't use him last week.

But Martz turned to the youngster immediately against Philadelphia (13-2), and it paid off.

In a stark departure from his passing persona, Martz -- perhaps sensing it would be Jackson's night -- called 10 running plays on the opening drive that covered 73 yards. Jackson ran for 46 yards and Marshall Faulk for 27 on the march.

Jackson also had a 43-yard run in the second period on a drive that ended with Jeff Wilkins missing a 44-yard field goal.

"That first series, we were handing the ball to him and he's running through them, around them, every which way you can," Martz said. "He's a terrific back and it afforded us the ability to go down and not throw the ball one time. When you've got a guy playing like that -- spectacular."

By beating the Eagles' junior varsity, the Rams (7-8) ensured their season finale against the New York Jets wouldn't just be meaningful for the opponent. If they beat the Jets on Sunday and Seattle loses to Atlanta, St. Louis will win the NFC West. If the Seahawks win and take the division, St. Louis can make the playoffs by winning and having Minnesota lose at Washington, or by Carolina and New Orleans tying.

A win for the Jets would put them into the AFC playoffs.

"After all the drama we've been through this year, to be in position to potentially get into the playoffs, how awesome is that?" Martz said. "We will show up next week and lay it all out there."

The Eagles, who own home-field advantage for the NFC playoffs, didn't lay it out Monday night because they didn't need to. Perhaps spooked by the ankle and leg injury that has sidelined star receiver Terrell Owens, they weren't about to jeopardize other stars in a game that meant nothing to them.

Running back Brian Westbrook, their prime offensive threat with Owens out, was scratched, along with starting tackle Tra Thomas. Donovan McNabb played one series, when the Eagles got their only points. Defensive end Jevon Kearse never got onto the field and most of the starters were gone by halftime, if not sooner.

"You have to make a decision and there have been some good ones that have gone this route and there have been some bad ones that have gone this route," coach Andy Reid said after his team's six-game winning streak was snapped. "So I don't think there's any answer. I think you look at past history when I've been here, so I made that decision to rest some guys."

The second-string defenders couldn't handle Jackson or Marc Bulger, who also missed the last two games with a shoulder problem. Bulger was sharp, going 20-for-27 for 233 yards, and hit Isaac Bruce for a 7-yard touchdown.

Martz revealed after the game that Bulger has been playing hurt since the season opener.

Philadelphia managed only 155 yards against the 24th-ranked defense, 63 on the McNabb-led drive to Freddie Mitchell's 7-yard TD catch.

Mitchell, who made his first touchdown reception of the season, didn't want to hear anything about tiptoeing into the playoffs.

"As soon as you think it's a preseason game or think it's a scrimmage, you get injured," he said. "So you've got to go out there 100 percent and then make plays no matter what happens."

Still, the Eagles didn't escape unscatched. Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard, a Pro Bowler, and Dexter Wynn collided chasing a pass by Wilkins on a fake punt. Both lay on the ground for several minutes before walking off, and Sheppard stayed out with a quadriceps contusion.

Rookie fullback Thomas Tapeh was carted off with 28 seconds remaining with a dislocated hip. Tight end Chad Lewis strained his triceps.

The Rams totaled 88 yards rushing in their previous two losses. Against the overmatched squad the Eagles used, the Rams gained 419 yards, 209 on the ground.