In a game that in many ways mirrored the frustrations of an entire season, SJax and the St. Louis Rams turned in one of their best performances Sunday, only to see it slip away in the final seconds of the game.

No. 39 and Co. fell to the Seattle Seahawks, 23-20, on a last second field goal, overshadowing what had been Steven’s best offensive performance since returning from injury.

SJax dominated Seattle for much of the game Sunday (Associated Press).

He racked up 100 total yards in the first half alone  (81 rushing, 26 receiving) and scored a touchdown, stiff-arming and high-stepping his way past would-be tacklers for big gains, and the Rams lead, 17-7.

But a blow to the head left SJax groggy for much of the fourth quarter, and with its key playmaker on the sidelines, St. Louis’ offense and defense struggled, giving Seattle an opening to steal the game.

“I kind of got dinged up there,” Steven said. “I really don’t know what play specifically. But I took a shot and really wasn’t feeling all the way there. So we decided to rotate me in and out to see if I would come to. And when I finally did, the clock was really running out on us.”

The Seahawk defense definitely took notice that No. 39 wasn’t out there making his usual punishing runs late in the game, and stormed back to tie the game 20-20 in the fourth.

“They weren’t running him that much in the second half, and they kind of got away from some of the things they had success with before when they were moving the ball,” Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu said. “They were mixing it up, and they had some nice little plays going.”

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St. Louis Rams can’t hold lead against Seattle (STLtoday, Dec. 15, 2008)
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