ST. LOUIS (AP) -- For the St. Louis Rams offense to get healthy again, Steven Jackson said the running game must not be abandoned.

In losing the first two games by a combined score of 79-16 to the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, the Rams have rushed for 104 yards on 31 carries. Jackson has 27 of those attempts and 97 of the yards.

Jackson said Thursday at Rams Park he is eager for more carries. He said he is a back who needs 25 rushes to be effective. He gets stronger as the game goes on and wears down opponents.

"I'm not one of those scatback guys that you know, two or three carries will do it for me," Jackson said. "I need to get a chance to get my feel of the game and wear defenses down. We haven't had any flow yet. We need to put together long drives and get into the red zone and score."

That hasn't happened yet this year. The Rams offense ranks last in the league. The offense has yet to reach the red zone and has produced just one touchdown, coming in the fourth quarter of the second-game loss to the Giants.

"The last two games, it's kind of been what we want to do but for whatever reason, the game takes it own kinds of turn and we got away from getting the run established," Jackson said. "That's what we need to do -- not only run but get it established.

"We need to have the offensive line play downhill and take control of the line of scrimmage."

Center Brett Romberg said the line can do a better job.

"The effort has been great but there have been breakdowns," Romberg said. "We need to tie some things up. It's so close. It doesn't look as bad as it seems."

Jackson acknowledged it's no easy task to get the offense back to clicking.

"It's a tough challenge," Jackson said. "We seen two pretty stiff defenses in the first two weeks. Going to Seattle this week, I think we're prepared and hopefully, it will go our way."

The Rams are still trying to implement the offense installed by offensive coordinator Al Saunders. Jackson said he has faith in the new system.

"This offense is proven around the league," Jackson said. "We like to use the reference on this team of 'chopping the wood.' If we keep chopping the wood, we'll have our breakthrough game."

Bottom line, Jackson said, the Rams need to a get a win any way they can and to get one this week, they'll have to do it on the road at Seattle. The Seahawks also are winless in their first two games. However, the Seahawks have won the last six games between the two NFC West Division rivals.

"Nobody likes to be 0-2 and be part of a losing situation," Jackson said. "Football is boiled down to results -- do you win or lose? We've been losing. A lot of people want to be negative.

"If you do that, you kill the spirit. The season's too long. We can't give up now."

Romberg agreed.

"This thing can erupt at any moment," he said. "We saw a short glimpse when Torry (Holt) made that big touchdown catch. Hopefully, we can put a few of those together and get a steamroller effect going a little bit."

Notes: CB Ron Bartell did not practice Thursday. He bruised his lower rib cage and coach Scott Linehan said he did not know when it happened. Linehan expects him to practice Friday. ... the Rams will fly to Seattle on Friday rather than on Saturday. ... Linehan said it is "50-50" if DE Leonard Little (hamstring) plays Sunday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)