ST. LOUIS — Steven Jackson expects to carry the ball more for the St. Louis Rams against the Super Bowl champion New York Giants on Sunday.

In last week's 38-3 loss in the season opener at Philadelphia, Jackson rushed for 40 yards on only 14 attempts.

The reduced workload was a result of Jackson missing 27 practices during his holdout, not playing in any of the four preseason games and the Rams getting behind so quickly and abandoning the running game against the Eagles.

Facing the Giants, Jackson said he believes he will get his normal 25 to 30 carries.

"I am definitely looking forward to it," Jackson said about running more. "I think that is when the offense and the team thrive, when we control the ball on the ground."

Rams coach Scott Linehan said he thought Jackson performed well after missing so much time.

"I though Steven was OK. For his first real game this year because he wasn't able to participate for the obvious reason, I thought he ran the ball hard and ended up pretty well," Linehan said. "I think he's going to play much better with a game now under his belt."

Offensive coordinator Al Saunders said the Rams must run the football to have a chance against the Giants.

"For us to be an effective offensive football team, we need to be a balanced team," Saunders said. "We need to be able to run the ball and throw the ball with equal efficiency."

Stamina, Jackson said, is not an issue.

"I definitely feel like I have my legs under me. Week 1 was a good test, letting me know where I am at as a point of competing, timing and then within the offense," Jackson said.

It won't be an easy task for Jackson and the Rams to establish the running game against the Giants. New York ranked eighth in the NFL in rush defense last season. The Giants limited the Patriots to 45 yards rushing in their 17-14 win in the Super Bowl.

In the season-opening 16-7 victory over Washington, the Giants held the Redskins to 84 yards rushing and only 209 total yards.

"They're definitely more aggressive, and they are playing with the swagger of a defending champion," Jackson said. "We definitely will have our hands full.

"We just have to compete; we have the talent in this locker room. We just have to get guys to be able to weather this storm, no matter if it is bad or good, we keep an even keel attitude and go out there and execute."

Jackson added the Rams have to show their fans they can compete to put not only last week behind them, but last year's 3-13 record.

"We have something to prove after last year, it doesn't even go back to last week," Jackson said. "That's the thing."