Week 12 Game Recap: San Francisco 49ers 17, St. Louis Rams 20

What you need to know

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco game plan this year has been to get the ball to Frank Gore, who has accounted for 44% of the team’s offense. With Larry Little and Jonas Jennings both healthy again and anchoring the left side of the 49ers’ offensive line, Gore found plenty of running room against the smaller Rams’ front seven. Gore amassed 165 yards of total offense, and had a 27 yard run called back on a holding penalty. With 11:28 left in fourth quarter and up 14 to 13, the 49ers embarked on a drive to eat up the clock and add to their lead.

But there is always a risk when you put all of your eggs in one basket; when Gore left with an ankle/lower leg injury. X-rays were negative and Gore will be evaluated further this week. After the game, he seemed more concerned about the game than his injury: "I'm all right," he said. "It would have felt real good if we won. We're going to stay focused." With Gore out, Maurice Hicks and rookie Michael Robinson had to fill in. San Francisco was able to chew up 7:34 of the fourth quarter, but the drive stalled when Robinson was stopped literally inches short of a first down at the Rams’ seven yard line. Nedney kicked a field goal, extending the San Francisco lead to 17–13 with 4:00 left in the game.

Second year QB Alex Smith completed 13 of 25 for 148 yards and one touchdown, and is getting more comfortable in his role as manager of Norv Turner’s offense. He also threw two interceptions, but one came with 12 seconds left in the game as he attempted a long desperation pass.

Arnaz Battle played with a broken hand, which had been stabilized with surgical screws earlier in the week. He still caught three passes for 32 yards, but he also fumbled a punt at his own 36 yard line that led to a Rams’ touchdown. Antonio Bryant started at the other receiver spot, despite his arrest for suspicion of drunken driving, reckless driving, and resisting arrest following last week’s game. He caught two passes for 53 yards but also nullified a 27 yard run by Frank Gore with a holding penalty.

San Francisco played the Rams tough in an evenly matched game. The difference came down to Arnaz Battle fumbling a punt at his own 36 yard line which led to one touchdown, and the Rams being able to hold the 49ers to a field goal late in the game which opened the door to their comeback win.

St. Louis Rams

Following five straight defeats, including their shutout loss to Carolina last week, the Rams were determined to run Steven Jackson early and often. They felt Jackson could control the clock, open up their passing attack, and keep Frank Gore on the 49ers’ sideline. Jackson responded with a monster game, 192 total yards and one touchdown, which is a remarkable achievement when you look at the St. Louis offensive line.

Orlando Pace is already lost for the year, and the Rams have been shuffling lineman all season. Center Brett Romberg became the tenth different lineman to play for St. Louis when he replaced Richie Incognito in the second quarter. Incognito was filling in for long time starter Andy McCollum who was placed on IR after the season opener. Incognito tried to return to the game and play on his sprained foot, but could not go on.

Marc Bulger has had an up and down year, partly because of the offensive line issues, and was hit particularly hard near the end of the first half just as he released a pass. He lay on the ground for a few moments but made his way to the sidelines. He was replaced by Gus Frerotte who promptly completed a 27 yard pass to Curtis which led to a Wilkens 51 yard FG with :03 seconds left before halftime. Bulger returned in the second half and showed that he is still a quality quarterback. With St. Louis down 17–13 and 4:00 left in the game. He completed nine of nine passes on a 12 play, 80 yard drive, completing the winning touchdown pass with 29 seconds left in the game.

Torry Holt only caught four passes for 30 yards while Isaac Bruce chipped in with six receptions for 63 yards. Kevin Curtis caught the only touchdown pass for St. Louis, the winner as time ran out. Steven Jackson was the Rams’ leading receiver with nine balls for 71 yards.

What you ought to know

QB Alex Smith, Pass: 13 - 25 - 148 - 1 TD / 2 INT

The former first overall draft pick is learning to lead this team and he is growing in maturity. Norv Turner is teaching him how to manage the game. Smith finished with a modest 13 of 25 with one touchdown. His threw two interceptions but they did not affect the outcome. Leading 14–13, Smith helped engineer a 13 play, 75 yard drive in the fourth quarter which could have nailed down the win if the 49ers converted third and one at the Rams seven yard line. Nolan elected to kick the field goal, instead of going for it on fourth down.

RB Frank Gore, Rush: 21 - 134 - 1, Rec: 4 - 31 - 0 (4 targets)

Gore entered this game with 1,043 yards and trailing league leader Larry Johnson by just two yards on 58 fewer carries. He continued to tear it up, gaining 134 yards on the ground and another 31 yards on four receptions. Gore left with an injury to his lower leg/ankle in the fourth quarter when the tackler rolled over on his leg, but he did not seem to receive treatment on the sideline. After the Rams took the lead he returned to the field with 21 seconds to go. He’ll be evaluated further this week. After the game, he sounded more concerned with the game result than his injury: "I'm all right," he said. "It would have felt real good if we won. We're going to stay focused."

RB Maurice Hicks, Rush: 7 - 32 - 0

Hicks filled in for Gore and finished the game with seven carries for 32 yards. He also returned four kickoffs for an average of 24.2 yards.

RB Michael Robinson, Rush: 2 - 6 - 0

The rookie runner and former Penn State quarterback carried the ball two times six yards. He was stopped for no gain on a third and one dive play at the Rams’ seven yard line.

RB Moran Norris (2 targets)

The powerful back blocked for Frank Gore had no carries and no receptions.

WR Arnaz Battle, Rec: 3 - 36 - 0 (6 targets)

Battle played with a broken hand, which had been stabilized with surgical screws earlier in the week. He still caught three passes for 32 yards, but he also fumbled a punt at his own 36 yard line that led to a Rams’ touchdown.

WR Antonio Bryant, Rec: 2 - 53 - 0 (7 targets)

He caught two passes for 53 yards but also nullified a 27 yard run by Frank Gore with a holding penalty. Bryant entered the game as the team’s leading receiver with 546 yards on 31 catches, but his play has tailed off recently. Following last week’s game he was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving, reckless driving, and resisting arrest, and it is unknown at this time what his future with the team may be.

WR Bryan Gilmore, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

San Francisco’s third receiver was not targeted in this game, but did lose one yard on a reverse.

TE Eric Johnson, Rec: 3 - 17 - 1 (5 targets)

The veteran tight end caught three passes for 17 yards, including a one yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.

TE Vernon Davis, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (2 targets)

Davis caught one pass for eleven yards.

PK Joe Nedney 1 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Nedney was good on a 24 yard FG and hit both extra points.

SF Rush Defense

Steven Jackson gained 121 yards on 23 carries.

SF Pass Defense

The 49ers were able to pressure Bulger all day but only registered two sacks. Rookie Manny Lawson intercepted a pass when he dropped into coverage by the side lines in front of Torry Holt and also registered a sack. On the Rams’ game winning drive, Bulger completed nine of nine passes including the winning TD to Kevin Curtis.

QB Marc Bulger, Pass: 23 - 34 - 201 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - -6 - 0

While no longer quarterbacking the greatest show on turf, the offense installed by new head coach Scott Linehan promised to be more balanced but equally explosive. The offensive line is riddled with injuries, and he was sacked twice and also knocked out of the game near the end of the first half. He returned in the second half, and led the Rams to their victory on an 80 yard drive late in the fourth quarter, completing all nine passes including a five yard TD pass to Kevin Curtis with just 29 seconds left in the game.

QB Gus Frerotte, Pass: 1 - 3 - 27 - 0 TD / 0 INT

When Bulger was knocked woozy near the end of the first half Frerotte took his place. His one completion in three attempts went for 27 yards to Kevin Curtis and set up a 51 yard field goal by Jeff Wilkens with :03 seconds left.

RB Steven Jackson, Rush: 23 - 121 - 1, Rec: 9 - 71 - 0 (12 targets)

The Rams have a better chance of winning when they get their workhorse involved. Jackson gained 192 total yards and also led all St. Louis receivers. Even running behind a patchwork line, Jackson looked unstoppable.

RB Stephen Davis, Rush: 5 - 25 - 0, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets)

The veteran only caught one pass, but it kept their game winning drive alive in the fourth quarter. Davis appears to be in good shape and looked equally comfortable slamming up inside between the tackles for tough yards or bouncing outside and turning the corner. He is an imposing runner who seems to relish his role as the guy who gives Jackson a breather.

WR Isaac Bruce, Rec: 6 - 63 - 0 (9 targets)

Bruce caught six passes for 63 yards including two clutch grabs on the game winning drive. He was able to separate and make the plays his team needed.

WR Torry Holt, Rec: 4 - 30 - 0 (12 targets)

While Holt was Bulger’s favorite target in this game, they were often out of sync. On one play, he broke open on a deep sideline route but the pass went over the wrong shoulder. Holt only caught four of his 12 targets, and has cooled off lately after his red hot start. He’s also seeing solid coverage.

WR Kevin Curtis, Rec: 3 - 41 - 1 (3 targets)

Curtis caught all three targets, including a 27 yarder at the end of the first half that led a 51 yard Jeff Wilkins field goal, and the winning touchdown with 29 seconds in the game.

TE Joe Klopfenstein, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets)

The big rookie tight end from Colorado caught one pass in the fourth quarter. With all the offensive line woes, Klopfenstein was primarily a blocker.

PK Jeff Wilkins 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Wilkins hit a clutch 51 yard field goal as time expired in the first half, and hit another from 24 yards. He also connected on both extra points.

STL Rush Defense

The Rams are trying to be more aggressive this year, and while Gore rushed for 134 yards on the day, late in the game they were able to hold on third and one at their own seven yard. They gave up a field goal instead of a touchdown, which opened the door for Bulger’s game winning drive. Still, giving up 171 yards on the ground is usually a good way to lose a game.

STL Pass Defense

Alex Smith only completed 13 of 25 passes for 148 yards.