New and improved Jackson not yet perfect - but closer

SAN FRANCISCO - With 14 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the second quarter Sunday, Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson glanced to the far right sideline. With his team holding an early 10-point lead, Jackson noticed San Francisco cornerback Nate Clements leaning into a blitz position.

Calmly, Jackson waited for Clements to begin his sprint. He then threw into the open space, guiding a pass over Clements' hands and into those of receiver Robert Ferguson. One broken tackle later, Ferguson scored on a 19-yard touchdown play that was indicative of Jackson's development during the past month.

"He didn't make all [the throws]," coach Brad Childress said, "but a perfect game has never been played. ... It was nice to just see him getting better here as we go."

Jackson completed 16 of 25 passes for 163 yards Sunday while rushing for another 13 yards. In the four games since he returned from a series of injuries to claim the starting quarterback job, Jackson has completed 61 of 83 passes for 667 yards and four touchdowns and two interceptions, a rating of 101.8.

Sunday, he neither committed a turnover nor took a sack.

Jackson said he has tried to learn something "each game and each play," and acknowledged he has taken a more aggressive approach since returning to the starting lineup Nov. 18 against Oakland.

"Earlier in the season my mind-set was to go out and manage the football game," Jackson said. "Don't turn the football over, and just make smart decisions. Now, I'm looking to make plays, and that's a different mind-set that I have. But still, I try to take care of the football also.

"You've got to play hard. I don't want to play scared, and that comes as you get more and more comfortable."