The 49ers finally enjoyed a victory with a dominating 35-16 defeat of the visiting Rams.
The 49ers charged out to a 35-3 halftime lead thanks to three steals by the defense and excellent play by quarterback Shaun Hill and company.
The 49ers stayed conservative in the second half on offense and didn't do any adding to their score total, and although the Rams scored on two field goals in the third quarter and then punched it into the end zone late in the game, it wasn't nearly enough to close the gap.
4th Quarter Scoring
Immediately following the two-minute warning, Marc Bulger got his Rams offense into the end zone with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Dane Looker. The pass capped off an 11-play, 59-yard scoring drive.
3rd Quarter Scoring
A field goal by Josh Brown with 3:51 to go in the third quarter finished off a 10-play, 42-yard scoring drive. Safety Mark Roman helped force the Rams into the field goal situation by delivering a huge hit on receiver Keenan Burton to force an incompletion.
As time expired in the quarter, Brown connected on a 44-yard field goal at the end of a 7-play, 51-yard scoring drive to cut the 49ers lead to 35-9.
Halftime
The 49ers charged out to a 35-3 halftime lead thanks to three steals by the defense and excellent play by quarterback Shaun Hill and company.
2nd Quarter Scoring
The Rams got on the board with 13:26 to go in the second quarter after a 24-yard field goal by Josh Brown. The kick finished off a 15-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
The 49ers came right back with a touchdown drive of their own. Two explosive pass plays by quarterback Shaun Hill moved the 49ers to the 7-yardline, and then three plays later, Hill connected with tight end Vernon Davis right under the goal post for a 2-yard touchdown pass. Isaac Bruce started off the drive with a 20-yard reception that was followed by a short slant throw to Bryant Johnson, whose defender Fakhir Brown fell down as he made the catch. Johnson picked up 42 yards on the play before he was chased down by safety Corey Chavous. The 5-play drive covered 69 yards and ended with 10:38 in the second quarter.
A few plays later, linebacker Parys Haralson recovered a fumbled snap by Marc Bulger to give the offense back the ball at the 16-yardline. Four plays later, Frank Gore picked up the score on a 1-yard touchdown run. Gore should have been stopped on the 3rd and 1 play in the backfield but he broke free and eventually walked into the right corner of the end zone for the score with 7:55 to go in the quarter.
On the next defensive series, cornerback Walt Harris picked off a deep ball for Donnie Avery and returned it 24 yards to give the offense the ball at the 40-yardline.
A 22-yard pass from Shaun Hill to Jason Hill ignited a scoring drive that was also highlighted by a 31-yard pass play to DeShaun Foster. Hill avoided a sack by Leonard Little, scrambled to his right and aired out a pass to Foster, who got to the 1-yardline before he was stopped. Two plays later, Hill scrambled up the middle and dove into the end zone for the score. The 7-play drive covered 60 yards and ended with 3:35 to go in the quarter.
The defense needed only two plays before they intercepted another Marc Bulger pass. This time safety Michael Lewis deflected a ball that was fought over for a split second by safety Keith Lewis and cornerback Nate Clements. Clements got the pick and returned it to his 44-yardline.
With 1:49 to go in the quarter, Hill went into hurry up mode. After picking up a first down on a 3rd and 3 completion to J. Hill, the quarterback hit Gore for an 8-yard completion. He then fired one deep to Michael Robinson who got to the 1-yardline for a 36-yard pass play. Robinson lost a yard on his next carry, but Hill then threw a perfect fade route to Johnson for a 2-yard score with 34 seconds remaining.
**1st Quarter Scoring
**The 49ers took an initial 7-0 lead with 6:37 to go in the first quarter after a 5-yard touchdown run by Frank Gore. The score came on the second possession of the game for the offense on a drive that was set up by a 29-yard punt return by Allen Rossum. After earning a first down, a 17-yard penalty assessment against the Rams for pass interference on Isaac Bruce set the 49ers up at the 6-yardline. The entire drive lasted four plays and covered 34 yards.
The Rams had an opportunity to score on their first drive of the game, but Josh Brown missed a 48-yard field goal.
