He broke the 100-yard rushing barrier and turned in an electrifying 53-yard catch and run, but in the end, SJax couldn’t keep the Rams from losing their fourth consecutive contest.

This time, Steven and Co. fell to the Buffalo Bills, 31-14, in a game that was far closer than the score indicated. A minor groin injury proved to be exactly that for No. 39, who finished with 110 yards rushing and 78 yards on five catches.

A 29-yard touchdown run — his first score of the season — gave the Rams a 14-6 halftime lead.

Steven leaped into the stands after scoring his first TD of the year (courtesy StLouisRams.com).

NO. 2 IS NOT ENOUGH
Steven is having an outstanding 2008 campaign, ranking second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He’s averaging just over 67 yards on the ground and 52 through the air per contest, second only to San Francisco’s Frank Gore’s 120.6 yard-per-game average.

Still, S-Jax insists No. 2 isn’t good enough. He can do even better.

“I’m leaving some yards on the field,” he said. “It’s not one specific thing. But when you go back and look at it Monday morning, you’re like, ‘Aw, man, I could’ve probably gotten five more yards on that.’”

Jackson was quick to commend his offensive line on the terrific job they’ve done so far in making him one of the NFL’s top rushers once again.

“My offensive line is doing a great job, especially the last two games,” said Jackson, who held out for 27 days in the preseason in a contract dispute. “I’ve got to help them out more.”

STAY CLASSY
Always a class act, Jackson was also complimentary of his offensive coordinator, Al Saunders.

“Coach Saunders does a great job of allowing me to line up as a receiver, splitting me out of the backfield and it gives me some looks for the defense that I haven’t done, I guess, since I have been here,” Jackson said. “I’m definitely on track receiving, but I am a running back, and I love those running yards as well.”

NEXT UP
Jackson will have to wait two weeks to get back on the gridiron and continue to shred opposing defenses: The Rams have a Bye in Week 5.

RELATED STORIES
Jackson wants more (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 10, 2008
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/83149177AC54CE3F862574DE00142668?OpenDocument
Jackson eager to get past disappointing start (Belleville News-Democrat, Oct. 10, 2008)
http://www.bnd.com/sports/rams/story/497319.html
Ramblings (Belleville News-Democrat, Sept. 25, 2008)
http://bellevillenewsdemocrat.typepad.com/ramblings/2008/09/jackson-says-he.html