by Jim Thomas (Post-Dispatch) , St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Steven Jackson needs the Football. After a three-game stretch in which he averaged 24 carries per game, Jackson had only 16 carries last week against Jacksonville, matching his season low. Yes, the yards weren't coming easily against the Jaguars' physical front seven, but on the other sideline, Jacksonville stayed with the run. Maurice Jones-Drew had only 36 yards on 15 carries through three quarters but finished with 133 yards on 33 carries. One of the only ways the Rams can upset the Colts is if they play keepaway from Peyton Manning. Particularly with a banged up and undermanned wide receiver corps, the Rams need to get the Football in the hands of their best player as much as possible.

EVEN

When the Rams pass the ball

A lot of question marks surround the St. Louis wide receiver corps. Will Donnie Avery and his sore hip be able to make it through a full 60 minutes? Avery ran pretty well at the end of the practice week, but if he falls on the hip the wrong way Sunday he might be done for the day. The Rams have dressed only four wideouts each game this season. Given Avery's status, it might be wise to dress five against Indy. But will newcomer Brandon Gibson be one of them? He was limited to scout team work only at the end of the week. No matter the lineup, it doesn't figure to be easy throwing against a Colts defense that has yielded only 2 TD passes all season.

EDGE - Colts

When the Colts run the ball

Indy has used a two-back system ever since Edgerrin James departed following the 2005 season. So far this season, Joseph Addai is getting about 12 carries a game; and rookie Donald Brown about nine. The raw numbers aren't pretty: the Colts rank 29th in rushing offense and average a mere 3.3 yards per carry. But Addai seems to be able to get the tough yards. He has converted on 79.2 percent of his carries on third-and-2 or less (42 of 53), which is a league-best this decade. Because of a groin injury, Rams DE James Hall figures to be limited Sunday, if he plays at all. That won't help the Rams' run defense. In addition, the LB corps will be juggled as a result of the Will Witherspoon trade.

EDGE - Colts

When the Colts pass the ball

Two of the Rams' top three corners are nicked up, which doesn't bode well against Manning & Co. Ron Bartell has been cleared after suffering a mild concussion in overtime against Jacksonville, but still isn't at full strength because of a nagging thigh injury. Meanwhile, the availability of nickel back Justin King (groin) may be a game-day decision. If King's out of the lineup entirely, Jonathan Wade slides into the nickel back role. But even at full strength, the Rams are far from proven at corner besides Bartell, who has struggled defending the deep ball because of the thigh injury. If Jacksonville's David Garrard can zing the Rams for 335 passing yards as was the case last week, how many is Manning capable of posting Sunday?

EDGE - Colts

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