49ERS AT RAMS
WHERE: Edward Jones Dome
WHEN: 10 a.m.
TV: Ch. 2
RADIO: KNBR 680-AM, KSAN 107.7-FM
THE LINE: 49ers by 7 (40? total)
THE SERIES: 49ers lead 60-58-2
LAST MEETING: The 49ers? defense and special teams units outscored the 49ers? offense 21-14. But it all added up to a 35-0 victory for the 49ers over the Rams on Oct. 4 at Candlestick Park. Quarterback Shaun Hill completed 14 of 24 passes for 152 yards with touchdown passes to Vernon Davis and Josh Morgan. Scott McKillop, Patrick Willis and Ray McDonald scored touchdowns on returns for the 49ers.
INJURY REPORT
49ERS: CB Nate Clements (shoulder), K Joe Nedney (left hamstring), K Ricky Schmitt (left groin ? injured reserve) are out; WR Isaac Bruce (ankle), T Joe Staley (knee) are questionable; RB Glen Coffee (thigh), QB Shaun Hill (back), G Chilo Rachal (knee) are probable.
RAMS: CB Quincy Butler (knee), G Mark Setterstrom (tricep) are out; T Jason Smith (concussion) is doubtful; RB Steven Jackson (back), LB Paris Lenon (toe), DE Leonard Little (knee) are questionable; WR Donnie Avery (thigh), LB James Laurinaitis (knee) are probable.
SPOTTING TRENDS
49ERS (7-8): The 49ers do not plan changes to any of the key figures in the organization after failing to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. Coach Mike Singletary, general manager Scot McCloughan, offensive and defensive coordinators Jimmy Raye and Greg Manusky, and quarterback Alex Smith are all expected to return in their current roles. The 49ers will not have a winning season, but they can avoid a sixth consecutive losing record with a victory today against the Rams, who have been the worst team in the NFL. The 49ers? offense has not done a good job of turning their defense?s takeaways into points. Last week, the 49ers? defense forced six turnovers, and the 49ers managed to score no points off those possessions in a 27-13 win over the Lions. The 49ers signed kicker Shane Andrus to replace Nedney and Schmitt.
RAMS (1-14): St. Louis first-year coach Steve Spagnuolo is keeping the 49ers guessing. Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson, clearly the best player on the team, is questionable for the game after nursing a herniated disc in his back for more than a month. He did not play last week, and Spagnuolo says Jackson?s status will be determined shortly before kickoff. If the Rams lose, they will own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The club is in dire need of a quarterback. Their options today are veteran Kyle Boller or rookie Keith Null. The game is blacked out in St. Louis, as the Rams have experienced difficulty selling tickets. Those who show up will get a chance to cheer a player from the team?s glory days. Niners receiver Isaac Bruce, who starred for the Rams? ?Greatest Show on Turf,? will be brought out of mothballs to go to midfield for the coin toss. He might even get on the field for a snap or two.
49ERS WILL WIN IF . . . they avoid a mind-numbing collapse against the worst team in the NFL.
RAMS WILL WIN IF . . . they generate multiple turnovers and, maybe, a defensive score or two.
QUOTE TO NOTE
?I think it?s a matter of pride that we?re playing for now. We haven?t finished better than 7-9 since I?ve been here. I think it?s something we?re all playing for. Every game means something. We need to finish on a good note.?
? 49ers quarterback Alex Smith on the importance of finishing with an 8-8 record
KEY MATCHUPS
TE Vernon Davis vs. S Craig Dahl
Davis is within on TD of tying Antonio Gates? NFL single-season record of 13 scoring catches, and he?ll be matched on occasion against Dahl, a third-year player.
LB Ahmad Brooks, vs. LT Alex Barron
Despite a limited role through 10 games, Brooks leads the 49ers with six sacks. He?ll be up against Barron, a fifth-year pro who has taken over after departure of Orlando Pace.
RB Frank Gore vs. LB Larry Foote
Gore needs just 58 yards for his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Foote is the Lions? top tackler in the middle of their defense, where Gore likes to run.
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