"The last time the Rams were in first place this late in a season, running back Steven Jackson was piling up yards for the Oregon State Beavers.

That was in 2003, when a 30-27 overtime victory at Arizona boosted the Rams to 8-3 and into first place in the NFC West. That also was the last Rams team to win a division title.

The current Rams, tied with Seattle atop the NFC West at 4-4, could take a big step Sunday toward becoming the next to do so by knocking off the 49ers in San Francisco. Both clubs are coming off their bye week.

Jackson, the club's first-round draft pick in 2004, relishes the prospect of a meaningful November contest.

"To have a big game, to learn how to win as the stakes get higher as the season goes by, it's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to the challenge," Jackson said. "We've been working hard to get to a point where in November and December, our games can put us in the postseason. Guys are starting to come together, and guys are excited.

"Hopefully we can keep ourselves in this position, but everything goes back to what we've always been taught around here - one week at a time, one game at a time. But if you continue to win, the stakes do get bigger."

The 49ers have won two of their last three games after an 0-5 start. They've struggled on offense, but their defense is ranked 16th overall and No. 11 against the run.

It's the best defense the Rams have faced this season, Jackson said.

"All-around as a total unit, it will be," he said. "From the defensive line to the secondary, they have playmakers ... guys that are problematic, that have a chance to wreck a game. So we're going to have to come out and pay attention and make sure that we know where guys are and be accountable for them."

The defensive linchpin for San Francisco is linebacker Patrick Willis, the club's leading tackler and a three-time Pro Bowler.

"We're very familiar with one another. I think the mutual respect is there," Jackson said. "I actually enjoy these two weeks when we do play the 49ers because he's someone that I kind of measure myself up against each year. It's fun."

Jackson had put together a three-game streak of 100-yard outings before slipping to 59 yards on 23 carries vs. Carolina on Oct. 31. Jackson had surgery for a broken finger just six days earlier.

Jackson ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing, with 676 yards. San Francisco running back Frank Gore is ninth, with 691 yards."