1997 escort chugging problems

hello all, just joined here. well i have a 1997 escort lx and i noticed today that when i was driving it above 40mph it start chugging and felt like my car was jerked forwards and backwards in random spurt but the it would occur more frequently. i pulled over twice to check my hoses to make sure there wasn't a leak but i couldn't see one. when i stopped at a stoplight it would continue to do the same thing. any idea what the problem could be?

your fuel filter may be clogged up, or your enertia switch may be half way triggered

on advice from a mechanic / race-driver friend i took my throttle body apart and cleaned everything free from carbon build-up. seems to have solved my problem!
88 escort gt 1.9l ho

Had the same problem with my 97 Escort LX, changed plugs and wires. No problem after that.