By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer

ST. LOUIS(AP) -- Posting on his Twitter account Sunday night,
SJ39, Steven Jackson said aches and pains from a big day against
the Detroit Lions were "starting to get to me."

You should see the other guys.

The 235-pound running back was at his bruising best in the St.
Louis Rams' slump-busting victory at Detroit, dragging tacklers
while piling up 149 yards on 22 carries and breaking free for
the winning score. He can hit the hole, he can create his own
holes and he can put a team on his back, too.

The Lions certainly got their fill and then some from the unique
hybrid, a runner who can get the tough yards but with wheels to
match. On a contender, he'd probably be one of the NFL's top
stars.

"Man," said Detroit defensive end Dewayne White, "he's a big
guy."

Jackson was so determined to put a halt to the Rams' 17-game
losing streak, he accidentally ran over an official on one of
his rambles. For that, he apologized on Twitter.

No need to revisit anything else in that game, or virtually his
entire season for that matter. Jackson has consistently produced
despite a lack of playmakers around him in the NFL's worst
offense; the Rams have scored just 77 points.

"When he's determined to get somewhere, it's going to take four
or five large people to stop him," Rams kicker Josh Brown said.
"When he's an angry person, you have to get out of his way."

For better or worse, Jackson has been the face of the franchise
for years.

Last season, he staged a 27-day training camp holdout that
reflected a me-first attitude, and then missed four starts and
most of a fifth due to injuries - all losses. Consistently he's
been the most outspoken Ram, whether it's criticizing music
choices and a general drab setting at home games, chafing as
Marshall Faulk's understudy as a rookie in 2004, or voicing
lofty goals.

During rookie coach Steve Spagnuolo's often painful rebuilding
effort this fall, though, the 26-year-old Jackson has found
patience. He's consistently taken the high road, embraced
leadership.

"That's me knowing what kind of makes me go and what kind of
makes me tick is really not helpful for a young team," Jackson
said. "My determination and I guess my competitive spirit
sometimes can be overwhelming, and it can kind of take guys
aback.

"I don't want to go there anymore."

That attitude adjustment, along with the return of a booming,
infectious laugh that reminds people he really is a nice guy,
has helped win back a disenchanted fan base. The production has
always been there, with a half-season to go after this week's
bye and Jackson only 216 yards from being the first player in
franchise history with five straight 1,000-yard seasons.

"I think they've had a chance to get to know me and I've had a
chance to get to know them, so some of the things I may say
might not take them aback as much as it would in the past,"
Jackson said. "I'm also growing up.

"I'm just going to continue to let my play do the talking and
continue to play hard, and if you don't like me at this point,
you just don't like me."

Even before Spagnuolo knew Jackson well, he was familiar enough
with his talent to make him the centerpiece of offense that's
spent money on the line instead of on receivers. For years,
Spagnuolo game-planned against Jackson as defensive coordinator
of the Giants and defensive assistant with the Eagles.

"I remember playing against him and there were murmurs always,"
Spagnuolo said. "Guys really didn't want to go in there and
tackle him."

Jackson frequently predicts that given enough carries he'll wear
down the opposition. It's happening this year despite a
nondescript cast of pass catchers and quarterback Marc Bulger's
tendency to settle for short patterns, allowing opponents to jam
the line of scrimmage.

A marked man, and yet unstoppable.

Jackson has 784 yards rushing with a 4.8-yard average, tied with
the Vikings' Adrian Peterson for the NFC rushing lead. He has
970 yards from scrimmage, only 3 yards behind Peterson's
NFL-leading total.

It was no coincidence that Jackson's long-awaited first TD was
the go-ahead score in the Rams' first victory. St. Louis has
been awful in the red zone, so Jackson did most of the work,
willing himself forward for 17 yards on the previous play before
busting loose on a 25-yarder for the lead with 1:38 to play.

Before the go-ahead drive, center Jason Brown recalls Bulger
delivering a little pep talk.

"He said, 'Hey guys, you've got the best running back in the
league. You all do your job, he's definitely going to do his
job,"' Brown said. Then Jackson, still haunted by an overtime
loss at Jacksonville two weeks earlier when the Rams faded after
taking the lead late in regulation, took his turn.

"I just challenged each guy in the huddle," Jackson said. "Don't
be afraid to win this game. This is our moment and our time to
shine."