"Steven Jackson reached another milestone Sunday, but the timing could have been better, much better.

Jackson reached 1,000 yards rushing for the sixth consecutive season, adding to a franchise record he already owned. But the achievement came in a disappointing 31-13 loss to a Saints team that the Rams had played much tougher a year ago.

And on the play in which Jackson actually went over 1,000 yards for the season — a 20-yard gain in the first quarter — he fumbled for the first time this season. New Orleans recovered at its 39 and marched 61 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

"It's a huge accomplishment," Jackson said. "I share this with the offensive line and the receivers, who have done a great job over the season blocking for me."

But then he added, "It just seems like these things keep coming at a bad time."

In Game 7 of the season against Tampa Bay, Jackson surpassed Eric Dickerson for the Rams' career rushing record. But the Buccaneers scored a last-second touchdown to earn an 18-17 victory and stun the Rams.

Against New Orleans, Jackson carried 16 times for 96 yards and now has 1,081 yards for the season with three games to play. He has 1,000 yards in every NFL season he has played except for his rookie year of 2004 when he backed up Marshall Faulk.

"That's extremely impressive," quarterback Sam Bradford said. "Steven's a great back. He ran hard today. I thought he was big for us early. But when we got behind, we had to start throwing it a little bit more. I think that's why we got away from the run. But that's just a tribute to him and how hard he works."

Pass-rush woes

The Rams got next to no pressure on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, particularly from its defensive line. The team's only sack of the day was by rookie safety Darian Stewart on a blitz. Stewart's play notwithstanding, the Rams' defensive approach was conservative with not many blitzes on Brees; and when the Rams did blitz, they didn't get there."