Veteran QB Brett Favre was asked to be more of a game manager at Buffalo as he only threw downfield once. The Jets are trying to minimize some of the mistakes he has made through questionable decision-making. Favre has thrown 12 interceptions, and at least one in each of the last seven games. He also has had one returned for a TD each of the last two weeks.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB David Harris (groin) wasn't at the Jets' complex Wednesday and it is believed he has seen a specialist. He obviously won't play against St. Louis and his injury could be more of a long-term problem than initially believed.

--WR David Clowney, who suffered a fractured clavicle during the preseason, still hasn't seen action in a regular-season game, despite being off the injury report. Clowney is the fastest receiver on the roster and could give the Jets the vertical dimension they've been lacking if he ever gets into a game. None of the Jets' other receivers can get separation consistently.

--TE Chris Baker has recovered from his hip injury and practiced full Wednesday. However, he had no receptions against Buffalo despite starting.

--SS Eric Smith, who was removed from the Kansas City game because of lingering effects from his second concussion in three weeks, didn't play at Buffalo and isn't expected to play against St. Louis. He didn't practice Wednesday.

--K Mike Nugent (thigh), who was injured opening day and has missed seven straight games, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. He has not yet been ruled out for the St. Louis contest.

GAME PLAN: St. Louis allows a whopping 4.9 yards per carry, so the Jets should be able to take advantage of the Rams on the ground and again use a more controlled passing attack under Brett Favre, who suddenly has turned into a game manager. The Jets must stop St. Louis RB Steven Jackson. He is dynamic when healthy, but has been troubled by a nagging thigh injury and had only 17 yards rushing against the Cardinals, and his status for Sunday is uncertain. In fact, three of St. Louis' running backs, Jackson, Travis Minor (concussion) and Antonio Pittman (hamstring), didn't practice Wednesday. In the loss to Arizona, interim coach Jim Haslett considered yanking QB Marc Bulger, but didn't. Bulger could be on a very short leash against the Jets, who had two interceptions against Buffalo after going without a pick for three straight games.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Jets NT Kris Jenkins vs. Rams C Nick Leckey. Leckey is the next center to have the misfortune of having to line up against the 360-pound Jenkins, who won AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his domination of the Bills and is making a strong bid for AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Jenkins had two sacks against Buffalo and harassed Trent Edwards into a game-changing interception.

Jets RT Damien Woody vs. Rams LDE Leonard Little. Little leads the Rams with 4.5 sacks this season, but has been held without one in the last two games. Woody struggled against Oakland on Oct. 19, allowing two sacks, but was hampered by an injured left calf that day, which may have had something to do with his performance. He is healthy now and has played much better in the last two games.

Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery vs. Rams CB Fakhir Brown. Cotchery has a team-high 42 receptions and made the biggest play by a Jets WR at Buffalo, turning a short slant into a 35-yard gain to the Bills' 7. Look for more of the same kind of short and intermediate passes as the Jets' coaching staff may again keep Brett Favre on a short leash.

INJURY IMPACT: LB David Harris (groin) will sit out again this week, which will hurt the Jets' intermediate pass coverage. He likely will be replaced by savvy veteran David Bowens, an excellent pass rusher who isn't as good at playing in space as Harris. Bowens was out of position on RB Marshawn Lynch's 42-yard reception of a screen pass on the Bills' first play from scrimmage, but played well after that.

SS Eric Smith, who left the game against Kansas City on Oct. 26 with some apparent post-concussion problems, likely won't play again this week. But there's really no dropoff to Abram Elam, who has now started twice in Smith's place and has demonstrated coverage skills to go along with his ability in run support. His first career interception went for a 92-yard touchdown in the win at Buffalo.

Jay Feely likely will fill in again for Mike Nugent (thigh) on placekicks, although Nugent practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. Feely is 12-for-16 on field-goal attempts this season.

Backup TE Bubba Franks (hip) didn't practice Wednesday and is expected to miss his second straight game. Starter Chris Baker (hip) returned to action at Buffalo and will start against St. Louis. Without Franks, the Jets have been using 305-pound lineman Robert Turner as an extra tight end in running situations, because rookie Dustin Keller's blocking still is suspect, although he is improving.