Running could boost Rams’ run to playoffs

ST. LOUIS – Pass-happy Mike Martz made this a meaningful final week for the St. Louis Rams by emphasizing the ground game, starting their Monday night victory over the Eagles with 11 straight running plays.

That out-of-character, conservative formula allowed a beat-up and maligned offensive line to get into the flow early and also eased the burden on quarterback Marc Bulger, who missed the previous two games with a bruised throwing shoulder. It’s a proven route to victory for the team, which is 30-0 with a 100-yard rusher the last six seasons.

Which is not to say Martz will stick with the 1-2 punch of Steven Jackson and Marshall Faulk, who combined for 202 yards on Monday, in the finale today against the New York Jets in a game that carries playoff implications for both teams. After all, the Rams have 540 pass attempts and 362 runs this season.

“You might see us throw 30 balls in a row,” Martz said, only half in jest. “Who knows? It depends on if we’re completing them. If we’re completing them, we’ll keep doing it.”

Whatever method gives the underachieving Rams (7-8) a chance to make the playoffs will be fine with the coach. A 24-point loss at Arizona two weeks ago potentially looms large for St. Louis, which must win and hope for some help.

The Rams can take the NFC West if the Seahawks lose to the Falcons, and can clinch a wild-card berth with a loss by the Vikings at Washington or a highly unlikely Saints-Panthers tie. Players know better than to watch the scoreboard.

“It’s not helpless at all,” defensive tackle Tyoka Jackson said. “This is all I can think about: getting one win in our house and see what happens after that.”

The pressure is also on the Jets (10-5), who can clinch an AFC wild-card berth with a win. New York also can advance if Buffalo loses or ties at home against Pittsburgh or if Denver loses or ties at home to Indianapolis.

The Jets are trying to make it to the playoffs for the third time in four seasons under coach Herman Edwards.

“Obviously, we’re going to have to play very, very well to beat the Rams and get in,” Edwards said. “Both teams are going to be at their best.

“You find out a lot about your team, you really do.”

Edwards already found out a lot when quarterback Chad Pennington and running back Curtis Martin addressed the team after a 23-7 loss to New England last Sunday.

“We performed too bad to allow that to just be something that we say, ‘Well, it will be OK,’ ” Martin said. “We know we can’t squander this opportunity before us.

“To play like we played last week, that’s what we’d be doing.”

Rookie linebacker Jonathan Vilma said the meeting was well-timed.

“Everybody got what they needed off their chest,” Vilma said. “It was much-needed, especially at a time like this.”

This is an unusual matchup, one team capable of earning a playoff spot with a .500 finish and the other not assured of anything despite a double-digit victory year. The Jets’ predicament is reflective of the overall dominance in the AFC this year.

The Jets and Rams also are opposites when it comes to taking care of the ball. New York is plus-14, third best in the NFL, and the Rams are a league-worst minus-21.

Martin has rushed for 1,544 yards and 12 TDs.