After a truly dismal 2011 season, the St. Louis Rams rang in the New Year by firing head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney. The team ended the season 2-14 and I think the whole situation could push the team to move to Los Angeles. We’re eager to get a team here, with two competing stadium projects (Farmers Field and Los Angeles Stadium at Grand Crossing) ready to start construction, once a team is named. In addition to their poor record and recent personnel changes, the Rams have issues with their stadium and I think it could all combine to form a “perfect storm” that could bring the team back to L.A.

The St. Louis arch.
morguefile.com/spiroll

The Rams poor results speak for themselves and I agree with the decision to make changes. Rams owner Stan Kroenke is a smart businessman and didn’t get to be a billionaire by making bad decisions. The team was 10-38 in the three seasons under Spagnuolo and Devaney. Devaney has been there a bit longer than Spagnuolo, and the team was 12-52 in his four years as GM. After a horrible 1-15 season in 2009, the Rams seemed to make a comeback in 2010, going 7-9 and finishing second in the NFC West. But then after coming into the season with high expectations, the bottom dropped out and here we are.

Now that the 2011 regular season is over, I think we will see another big announcement from the team very soon, and that announcement just may be the return of the Rams to Los Angeles. The Rams left Los Angeles due to stadium issues, but now we’re looking at a situation that would bring them into a brand new stadium. I’m sure this is an attractive proposition, given the Rams are having issues with their current stadium. The Rams have played in Edward Jones Stadium since their move from Los Angeles in 1995. Although not very old, the stadium needs upgrades and is not comparable to a brand new facility. They currently have a deal that forces St. Louis to come up with a viable stadium renovation plan by March 2015, or the team is able to accept an offer to move. The city must inform the team of the plan by February 2012, which is rapidly approaching. The Rams have not yet been presented a stadium plan from the city.

AEG, the developer of the Farmers Field NFL stadium, proposed for downtown Los Angeles, has confirmed the Rams as one of the five teams they’ve had formal discussions with. Rams owner Stan Kroenke (who also owns the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets) has done business with AEG in the past, and has even bought teams from them. He is also friends with AEG owner Philip Anschutz, which would seem to make the deal easier to put together. Mr. Kroenke was part of the successful effort in 1995 to bring the team to St. Louis and helped put together a deal that had the city pay $260 million to get the team to move there. But if he can make a large profit on the the move and create much higher revenue for the team by moving them, I think he will do it. And as an L.A. football fan, I know the city would welcome their return, more so than moving a team here from another city.

Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman

More from this contributor:

Chargers move to L.A. looks more likely: Local’s look

What about the other Los Angeles NFL stadium proposal? Fan’s view

Farmers Field is Coming to Los Angeles: Local reaction

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The move comes less than 24-hours after Sunday’s 34-to-27 loss to the 49ers.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

AFC EAST
New England Patriots
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
New York Jets
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Miami Dolphins
	   Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Buffalo Bills
	   Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
	   Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
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Baltimore Ravens
	   Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
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Cincinnati Bengals
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	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Cleveland Browns
	   Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
	   Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
	   Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars
	   Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
	   Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Indianapolis Colts
	   Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
	   Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
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San Diego Chargers
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Kansas City Chiefs
	   Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
	   Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   -- -- -- =
NFC EAST
New York Giants
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Philadelphia Eagles
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys
	   Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
	   Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins
	   Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
	   Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Detroit Lions
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears
	   Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
	   Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Minnesota Vikings
	   Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
	   Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons
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	   Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Carolina Panthers
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	   Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
	   Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals
	   Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
	   Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Seattle Seahawks
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
St. Louis Rams
	   Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
	   Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

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Published: Jan. 2, 2012 at 1:00 PM

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2 (UPI) — Steve Spagnuolo was fired Monday as coach of the St. Louis Rams, who finished the 2011 season tied with Indianapolis for the worst record in the NFL.

St. Louis fell 34-27 Sunday to the San Francisco 49ers, a loss that left the Rams 2-14.

Although they had the same league-worst record as the Colts, the Rams will have the second overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

The Rams also fired General Manager Billy Devaney.

“I would like to personally thank Steve and Billy for their dedication to the St. Louis Rams organization over the past several seasons,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. “This was a difficult decision for many reasons. We have tremendous respect for Steve and Billy as people and football professionals.”

St. Louis was 10-38 in three seasons with Spagnuolo as coach. The Rams went 1-15 his first year and were 7-9 in 2010 before slipping back this season, which started with six consecutive losses.

There is the quick update of the day.

Article updated: 1/2/2012 10:42 AM

After finishing 2-14 this season, St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, left, and general manager Billy Devaney are now looking for work. Both men were fired with one year left on their contracts.   Associated Press/2010 file

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Leave your comments on the news below.

ST. LOUIS The St. Louis Rams have fired coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney.

The team made the announcement Monday, a day after the team wrapped up a 2-14 season that tied for the NFL’s worst record.

The Rams made a six-win improvement last season and played for the NFC West title in the finale. But they were just 10-38 overall in three seasons with Spagnuolo and Devaney calling the shots.

Devaney joined the front office in 2008. In his four years as GM, the Rams were 12-52.

Owner Stan Kroenke fired both men with one year remaining on their contracts, and with fan interest dwindling. The Edward Jones Dome was been about half-filled much of the year.

The Associated Press

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The 2011 St. Louis Rams weren’t playing for a division title this season; they were playing for a chance at Andrew Luck. With a 2-14 record, they were close, but the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts will get that pick instead. The Rams may have been one of the worst teams in terms of producing fantasy points this season, but did see a couple players succeed. Who are the biggest surprise and disappointments, and which star can say they were the Rams 2011 fantasy MVP?

MVP – Steven Jackson

Jackson didn’t have the best season of his career, but he surpassed 1,000 yards for the seventh straight season. He finished the campaign with 1,145 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding 42 catches for 333 yards and an additional score. Jackson will continue to be a late first or early second round selection next season, but would benefit greatly from a more stabilized offensive system.

Biggest Surprise – Brandon Lloyd

When the Denver Broncos traded one of the best wide receivers from 2010, fantasy GMs had to wonder what was wrong. He averaged nearly five catches a game during the four games he was a Bronco this season, but failed to reach the end zone. In 11 games as a Ram, Lloyd made 51 catches for 683 yards with five touchdowns, becoming one of the top-two fantasy threats for the Rams.

Biggest Disappointment – Sam Bradford

The second year quarterback was expected to make the Rams contenders in the normally weak NFC West, but after playing in just 10 games this season, there had to be serious discussion about drafting Luck if they got the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. After putting up more than 3,500 yards with 18 touchdowns, Bradford regressed in 2011, throwing for 2,164 yards and six touchdowns. There are going to be a couple of top quarterbacks in the draft that could pose a problem to Bradford ever becoming a star in the NFL. If the Rams can’t get Luck, maybe Robert Griffin III could be a solid fit for St. Louis.

For a closer look at All-Injury teams for all major fantasy positions and biggest stars and busts from each NFL team, click here.

More from this contributor:

LeSean McCoy is Top Fantasy Running Back in 2011

Backup Running Backs to make Splash in 2011

Don’t Give up on These Players too Early

Drafting Individual Defensive Players?

Top 2011 Fantasy Football Rookies

Hobson Lopes has been playing fantasy football for more than 10 years and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

That’s all for today.

According to a post-game report today by cbssports.com, St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo says the Rams have:

“character and fight…to build anything, the base has to have a rock-solid foundation and that’s there,” he said.  “We’ve got to wait eight months to play a game, but I’m glad that’s there.”

The question in St. Louis right now is who will be the head coach for that game in eight months?  

That decision is expected to be announced on Monday, according to a report by Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who cites league sources.  

In three seasons under Steve Spagnuolo, the Rams went 10-38.  

Hopes were high in St. Louis entering 2011.  

Many picked the Rams to win the NFC West.  Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network asserted that St. Louis would be the league’s breakout team.  

However, the Rams faltered during an 0-6 start before winning two of three, including the season’s biggest win, an upset victory at the Edward Jones Dome over record-setting Drew Brees and the playoff-bound New Orleans Saints. 

But then they lost their final seven contests, including the finale today at home versus NFC West champion San Francisco.  

In Spagnuolo’s defense, however, the Rams players never seemed to quit and the roster was ravaged by injuries throughout the year.

Some notable players lost for the season include Sam Bradford’s top receiving target, Danny Amendola (as well as rookie Greg Salas), the teams’ top three cornerbacks (Ron Bartell, Bradley Fletcher and Jerome Murphy) and both starting offensive tackles (Rodger Saffold, Jason Smith)—among others.

The team also lost three-time Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson for several games before suffering long-term injuries to quarterbacks Sam Bradford and A.J. Feeley.

With that said, 2-14 is still 2-14. And 10-38 is still 10-38.  

In the NFL, it’s the bottom line that counts. And the bottom line doesn’t look good for Spagnuolo’s Rams. Expect him to be relieved of his head coaching duties as early as Monday.

According to a report by Albert Breer of the NFL Network, Jeff Fisher is ready to return to coaching. The St. Louis Rams and San Diego Chargers are listed as possible options for Fisher.  

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him here on Twitter.   

Leave any suggestions in the comment box.

ST. LOUIS (AP)

Good thing the San Francisco 49ers opened the playbook in the finale.

Record-setting kicker David Akers showed off a strong left arm to match his left leg in a 34-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday as Michael Crabtree bamboozled defenders on a perfectly executed trick play for a touchdown.

It appeared to be the icing on a dominating performance that wrapped up the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. Instead, it helped build just enough of a cushion against the usually offensive-challenged St. Louis Rams.

Crabtree caught scoring passes from Akers and Alex Smith for the 49ers, whose 24-point fourth quarter lead was in jeopardy before they sealed the victory.

Akers broke the NFL single-season field goal record last week and finished with 44, including five in the first half of the two St. Louis meetings. He missed on a 48-yarder, but clicked from 36 and 42 yards.

Crabtree and Vernon Davis had big days for a team short of pass catchers and Tarell Brown had a pair of interceptions that led to touchdowns as the 49ers (13-3) beat the Rams (2-14) for the second time in five games. The 49ers held St. Louis to just 157 total yards in a 26-0 victory that clinched the NFC West in Week 12 but were hanging on at the finish of the rematch after the Rams scored two touchdowns in just 13 seconds.

Brandon Lloyd caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Kellen Clemens, the Rams recovered Josh Brown’s onside kick and Cadillac Williams scored on a 1-yard run with 4:39 to go one play after drawing an interference call on Brown on an underthrown pass from Clemens in the end zone.

The Rams were rescued from the ignominy of landing the No. 1 draft pick for the second time in three years when the Colts (2-14) lost 19-13 to the Jaguars. The Colts hold the tiebreaker based on opponents’ strength of schedule.

The 49ers’ record under new coach Jim Harbaugh is their best since another 13-win season in 1997 under another rookie coach, Steve Mariucci.

The Rams scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, six better than their NFL-low game average, but were down to untested Tom Brandstater and third-and-17 after Clemens injured his right leg on a sack by NaVorro Bowman with 2:46 to go. Brandstater threw two incompletions, the 49ers took over at their own 40 and needed just one first down to seal it – and exhale.

San Francisco seemingly had cemented the win in the final minute of the third quarter on Akers’ first career touchdown pass for a 27-10 lead. The 49ers finished 6-2 on the road, the franchise’s best showing since 1996.

Harbaugh is just the fourth rookie head coach to win 13 games and third by the 49ers, topped by George Seifert’s 14-2 showing in 1989.

Clemens ran for an 18-yard score to give the Rams the early lead. Clemens made his third straight start in place with Sam Bradford (high left ankle sprain) and A.J. Feeley (broken right thumb) both sidelined. Bradford, the top pick in 2010, missed his fourth straight game and sixth overall.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo is just 10-38 in three seasons and his job is in jeopardy coming off a total bust this year on the heels of a six-win improvement last season. Attendance was announced as 55,990, about 9,000 shy of capacity at the Edward Jones Dome, but the stadium appeared no better than half-full and drained quickly in the second half.

The 49ers won without injured wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. (ankle) and Kyle Williams (concussion), and with Frank Gore mostly watching and gaining just 9 yards on seven carries. Crabtree had 92 yards on nine receptions and Davis had 118 yards on eight catches, his second 100-yard game of the year.

Crabtree appeared to be walking off the field with the 49ers in field goal formation but stopped just shy of the sideline and lined up alone, allowing him to amble into the end zone on a 13-yard catch on Akers’ first career touchdown pass in 205 games.

Steven Jackson had 76 yards on 16 carries, a huge improvement over the first meeting against the 49ers in early December when he was held to 19 yards on 10 carries, before injuring his left arm in the third quarter. It appeared Jackson was hurt after dropping a low screen pass and then tackled hard by a pair of 49ers.

The 49ers began drives inside the St. Louis 35 on their first two touchdowns, and capitalized on Terrell Brown’s interception of a flea flicker from running back Jerious Norwood to Clemens on the go-ahead score. Two plays after the pick, Crabtree slipped Josh Gordy’s tackle on a sideline pattern and Quintin Mikell also missed on a 28-yarder that made it 14-7.

Clemens showed some nifty moves while dodging tackles on an 18-yard scramble for the Rams’ first rushing touchdown in three weeks and the early lead, and Smith matched him on an 8-yarder in the final minute of the first quarter. Smith slipped and fell in the pocket but recovered in plenty of time and benefited from Gore’s nice block on linebacker Chris Chamberlain at the goal line.

Notes: Gary Pinkel, who coached the 49ers’ Aldon Smith and the Rams’ Danario Alexander at Missouri, was on the sideline before the game. … The Rams cancelled the usual pregame pep rally and live music outside the stadium because of high gusting winds. … 49ers FB Bruce Miller (left knee) was sidelined in the second quarter, but was in uniform testing it with sprints before halftime.

What do you guys think about this.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Good thing the San Francisco 49ers opened the playbook in the finale.

Record-setting kicker
David Akers
showed off a strong left arm to match his left leg in a 34-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday as
Michael Crabtree
bamboozled defenders on a perfectly executed trick play for a touchdown.

It appeared to be the icing on a dominating performance that wrapped up the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC and a first-round
bye. Instead, it helped build just enough of a cushion against the usually offensive-challenged St. Louis Rams.

Crabtree caught scoring passes from Akers and
Alex Smith
for the 49ers, whose 24-point fourth quarter lead was in jeopardy before they sealed the victory.

Akers broke the NFL single-season field goal record last week and finished with 44, including five in the first half of the
two St. Louis meetings. He missed on a 48-yarder, but clicked from 36 and 42 yards.

Crabtree and
Vernon Davis
had big days for a team short of pass catchers and
Tarell Brown
had a pair of interceptions that led to touchdowns as the 49ers (13-3) beat the Rams (2-14) for the second time in five games.
The 49ers held St. Louis to just 157 total yards in a 26-0 victory that clinched the NFC West in Week 12 but were hanging
on at the finish of the rematch after the Rams scored two touchdowns in just 13 seconds.

Brandon Lloyd
caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from
Kellen Clemens
, the Rams recovered
Josh Brown
‘s on-side kick and Cadillac Williams scored on a 1-yard run with 4:39 to go one play after drawing an interference call on
Brown on an underthrown pass from Clemens in the end zone.

The Rams were rescued from the ignominy of landing the No. 1 draft pick for the second time in three years when the Colts
(2-14) lost 19-13 to the Jaguars. The Colts hold the tiebreaker based on opponents’ strength of schedule.

The 49ers’ record under new coach Jim Harbaugh is their best since another 13-win season in 1997 under another rookie coach,
Steve Mariucci.

The Rams scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, six better than their NFL-low game average, but were down to untested
Tom Brandstater
and third-and-17 after Clemens injured his right leg on a sack by NaVorro Bowman with 2:46 to go. Brandstater threw two incompletions,
the 49ers took over at their own 40 and needed just one first down to seal it – and exhale.

San Francisco seemingly had cemented the win in the final minute of the third quarter on Akers’ first career touchdown pass
for a 27-10 lead. The 49ers finished 6-2 on the road, the franchise’s best showing since 1996.

Harbaugh is just the fourth rookie head coach to win 13 games and third by the 49ers, topped by George Seifert’s 14-2 showing
in 1989.

Clemens ran for an 18-yard score to give the Rams the early lead. Clemens made his third straight start in place with
Sam Bradford
(high left ankle sprain) and A.J. Feeley (broken right thumb) both sidelined. Bradford, the top pick in 2010, missed his fourth
straight game and sixth overall.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo is just 10-38 in three seasons and his job is in jeopardy coming off a total bust this year on the heels
of a six-win improvement last season. Attendance was announced as 55,990, about 9,000 shy of capacity at the Edward Jones
Dome, but the stadium appeared no better than half-full and drained quickly in the second half.

The 49ers won without injured wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. (ankle) and
Kyle Williams
(concussion), and with
Frank Gore
mostly watching and gaining just 9 yards on seven carries. Crabtree had 92 yards on nine receptions and Davis had 118 yards
on eight catches, his second 100-yard game of the year.

Crabtree appeared to be walking off the field with the 49ers in field goal formation but stopped just shy of the sideline
and lined up alone, allowing him to amble into the end zone on a 13-yard catch on Akers’ first career touchdown pass in 205
games.

Steven Jackson
had 76 yards on 16 carries, a huge improvement over the first meeting against the 49ers in early December when he was held
to 19 yards on 10 carries, before injuring his left arm in the third quarter. It appeared Jackson was hurt after dropping
a low screen pass and then tackled hard by a pair of 49ers.

The 49ers began drives inside the St. Louis 35 on their first two touchdowns, and capitalized on Terrell Brown’s interception
of a flea flicker from running back
Jerious Norwood
to Clemens on the go-ahead score. Two plays after the pick, Crabtree slipped
Josh Gordy
‘s tackle on a sideline pattern and
Quintin Mikell
also missed on a 28-yarder that made it 14-7.

Clemens showed some nifty moves while dodging tackles on an 18-yard scramble for the Rams’ first rushing touchdown in three
weeks and the early lead, and Smith matched him on an 8-yarder in the final minute of the first quarter. Smith slipped and
fell in the pocket but recovered in plenty of time and benefited from Gore’s nice block on linebacker
Chris Chamberlain
at the goal line.

Notes: Gary Pinkel, who coached the 49ers’
Aldon Smith
and the Rams’
Danario Alexander
at Missouri, was on the sideline before the game. … The Rams cancelled the usual pregame pep rally and live music outside
the stadium because of high gusting winds. … 49ers FB
Bruce Miller
(left knee) was sidelined in the second quarter, but was in uniform testing it with sprints before halftime.

© 2011 STATS LLC

Not much else going on in the NBA world today.

AP

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo could soon be fired.  But while they may be able to take his body out of St. Louis, there’s one fairly important part that will be left behind.

Asked by Anthony Gargano of FOX Sports Radio regarding where Spagnuolo will be in 2012, he said “the St. Louis Rams,” without hesitation.

“That’s where my heart is,” Spagnuolo added.  “That’s where my dedication is, and drive.  You know, when I came here, this was never about me. . . .  I was very blessed to share an experience in New York where we won a Super Bowl and have that ring that everybody’s shooting for.  I came here in hopes that the people here would be able to experience that.  So what drives me is being able to bring that for other people, and we hope to continue to do that.”

Spagnuolo described the 2011 season in St. Louis as a “bump along the road, or a bunch of bumps.”  It remains widely believed that Spagnuolo will bumped off after Sunday, even though John Czarnecki of FOXSports.com has suggested that Spagnuolo could stay and G.M. Billy Devaney could go.  In the end, both could go.

And perhaps Spagnuolo will then have that chance to help people in another city experience a Super Bowl victory.

Maybe, unlike St. Louis, a city that has never experienced that.

Maybe, you know, Philadelphia.

That’s all for today.

By R.B. FALLSTROM

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Read More: Courtney Upshaw (LB – Alabama), Marcus Forston (DL – Miami), Alfonzo Dennard (CB – Nebraska), Jason Smith (OT – STL), Dontari Poe (DL – Memphis), Trent Richardson (RB – Alabama), Aaron Dobson (WR – Marshall), St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams suffered elimination from the NFC playoff race several weeks ago, but the season didn’t have a good feel from the start. At 2-13, fans have been planning and scouting with an eye on top prospects in the NFL draft for quite a while, and SB Nation’s Rams blog, Turf Show Times, has created a mock draft to get fans experimenting with the process. This 2012 mock draft is filled with trades to get extra picks and is underpinned by the concept that the organization will have to target offensive linemen early to overcome disappointing prospect Jason Smith, so it might be better to take a look at the names and get an idea of what positions make sense for the team to go after in the upcoming amateur draft.

First Round:

Jonathan Martin – Offensive Tackle

Alfonzo Dennard - Cornerback

Courtney Upshaw – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker

Second Round:

Trent Richardson – Running Back

Zach Brown – Outside Linebacker

Dontari Poe - Defensive Tackle

Fourth Round:

Marcus Forston – Defensive Tackle

Fifth Round:

Brandon Mosley – Offensive Lineman

Seventh Round:

Aaron Dobson – Wide Receiver

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

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The outcome of Sunday’s regular-season finale at St. Louis will go a long way in boosting the 49ers’ chances for playoff success. 

A win would guarantee a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the subsequent game. With the blazing hot Saints as a possible opponent, any sort of advantage will be welcomed with open arms.  

A loss could drop them to the No. 3 seed for a likely rematch with the Detroit Lions and Coach Schwartz. As entertaining as another Harbaugh-Schwartz handshake sounds, the 49ers are looking to beat the host Rams. 

When the two teams met in early December, it was smooth sailing for the 49ers as they shutout the Rams 26-0 in Candlestick Park. This time around may prove to be a little more challenging for the 49ers who are battling through several injuries at key positions. Then again, the Rams are also dinged-up and, with a 2-13 record, look primed for a shot at the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.    

Injuries will be a decisive factor in Sunday’s result between the NFC West rivals.  

49ers Injury Report

Out:

TE Delanie Walker (jaw)

Questionable:

CB Chris Culliver

WR Ted Ginn (ankle)

FB Bruce Miller (knee)

CB Carlos Rogers (knee)

WR Kyle Williams (concussion)

LB Patrick Willis (hamstring)

Outlook

The 49ers are floss-thin at the wide receiver position with the absence of Ginn, Williams, and Edwards who was released earlier this week. As a result, Brett Swain will slide into the starting spot opposite Michael Crabtree and Joe Hastings will be promoted from the practice squad.