By R.B. FALLSTROM

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

A month ago, the San Francisco 49ers became the first team to clinch its division, shutting out the St. Louis Rams to win the NFC West. Beat them again in the finale, and there’s a nice bonus for the Niners: the No. 2 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye.

Sure, they’re in. There’s still plenty of incentive for a franchise that’s made a rapid rise to the top under rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh.

“Anytime you could lock up a bye, you’d take it,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “Great opportunity for us, we’ve just got to go seize it.”

They couldn’t have picked a more vulnerable opponent.

The bedraggled Rams (2-13) are in danger of a dubious honor — landing the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second time in three years. All it’ll take is dropping their seventh in a row and the Colts winning at Jacksonville and again they will be at the bottom of the barrel.

St. Louis, just 10-37 under third-year coach Steve Spagnuolo and 12-51 with fourth-year general manager Billy Devaney, could be on the verge of a housecleaning. That’s led to a lot of questions this week about trying to save Spags’ job.

“We don’t worry about things we can’t control,” middle linebacker James Laurinaitis said. “He’s that way, we’re that way. We’re just going to go out there and play our rear ends off.”

Owner Stan Kroenke has been silent on the subject of what comes next for the Rams, who had been viewed as a franchise on the rise after last year’s six-win improvement. Now they’re playing to a half-full stadium and reduced to muttering about injuries that have decimated the secondary and offensive line besides a persistent high left ankle sprain that almost assuredly will knock out quarterback Sam Bradford for a sixth game.

Attendance is likely to be more sparse than usual given the noon CST start coming off New Year’s Eve partying. The Rams asked Thursday for a 24-hour extension to meet NFL sellout requirements.

The 49ers (12-3) have already doubled their win total from a disappointing 2010 season, and even with a loss can get the No. 2 seed and bye if the Saints lose at home against the Panthers. If they can repeat the performance from the 26-0 whipping they handed out in San Francisco, Harbaugh would be just the fourth coach in NFL history to win 13 games in his first year. Two 49ers coaches have already done it, George Seifert going 14-2 in 1989 and Steve Mariucci at 13-3 in 1997.

San Francisco could also land its first 13-win season since ’97. A sixth road win would match their total from the previous three seasons, rewarding them for attention to detail.

“The biggest thing that I’d point to is a lot of little reasons that a lot of people think are the minutia that aren’t important that add up to make all the difference,” Harbaugh said. “And our guys continually do the little things, and they stack on each other and they build on each other. And lo and behold, you win games in high pressure situations, or find ways to do enough things right to win games and get better.

“Enough of those things lead to championships.”

The 49ers are stout on defense, on pace for a franchise record while allowing a league-low 13.5 points per game, and sound on offense behind come-back quarterback Alex Smith. They lead the NFL with a plus-26 turnover ratio, with the most takeaways (36) and the fewest turnovers (10) in the league.

Aldon Smith has 14 sacks, one shy of the NFL rookie record. Cornerback Carlos Rogers and free safety Dashon Goldson, two of the 49ers’ four Pro Bowl starters on defense, have six interceptions apiece.

Kicker David Akers, who has set an NFL record with 42 field goals, and punter Andy Lee are both Pro Bowlers, too.

They’ve stayed healthy, too, with 30 players appearing in every game and 12 making every start. That dwarfs the Rams’ totals of 14 and four. The 49ers have eight Pro Bowl representatives, the Rams none.

“They’ve put it together and you get on a roll,” Spagnuolo said. “It works both ways. You get on a roll winning, confidence and boom, boom, things are working and clicking.

“It happens the other way, too, where you can’t really find any continuity.”

The 49ers have won six of seven in a series knotted at 61-61-2, and Frank Gore always seems to get some of his best days against the Rams, totaling 832 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games. He’ll be facing a defense in danger of setting a franchise record for rushing yards allowed in a season.

The Rams have been giving up an NFL-worst 154.5 yards per game and if they surrender 159 yards it’ll break the previous franchise worst in 2008. The 49ers got 144 yards the first time around.

The 49ers’ biggest worry might be encountering an opponent trying anything and everything to finish with a good taste.

“They have nothing to lose, so they can come out with whatever,” linebacker Patrick Willis said. “For us, there’s a lot riding on this game. We have to come out and play like we have all season. We know what’s at stake.”

Most every week, the Rams stay in it for a while and then a key play or two goes the wrong way and it snowballs to the finish of another failure. That was the case in the first meeting when the 49ers were held to three field goals in the first half, then busted loose with a pair of big plays — pass plays of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams.

Special teams have sprung several leaks in recent weeks, and the offense is the NFL’s worst, averaging just 11 points with 15 touchdowns in 15 games. They’re coming off a 27-0 loss at Pittsburgh, the second time they’ve been shut out the last month.

It’s been a complete bust of a comeback season for new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

“No regrets, no regrets,” McDaniels said. “Every year is different, every year is a challenge in this league. You have to do everything you can to try to help the team win.”

More slogging lies ahead. The Rams totaled just 157 yards and were just 3 for 13 on third down in the first meeting against San Francisco.

Steven Jackson became the seventh player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in seven straight seasons last week. Against the 49ers, he got just 19 yards on 10 carries.

“It was what we expected and they gave us exactly that,” Jackson said. “We’re going to have another tough time on Sunday but as long as you keep them balanced, and keep them out of what they want to do, we’ll be fine.”

Journeyman Kellen Clemens is expected to get his third straight start at quarterback. He passed for 91 yards last week in a 27-0 loss to the Steelers after throwing for 229 yards and a touchdown the previous week in a 20-13 loss to Cincinnati.

“If there’s a defense that’s better than Pittsburgh,” Clemens said, “we’re playing them this week.”

Thanks for reading! .

Read More: Kellen Clemens (QB – STL), James Harrison (LB – PIT), Rashard Mendenhall (RB – PIT), Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams

Every Friday, the National Football Post asks local writers for each NFL team to break down the most important aspects of that team’s matchup, and this week Michael Bean of SB Nation’s Steelers blog, BehindTheSteelCurtain, weighed in on what to expect from the Pittsburgh Steelers when they square off against the St. Louis Rams. The Rams offense has been struggling to find rhythm all season long, and Kellen Clemens may start on the road at Pittsburgh, so the return of James Harrison could be doubly dangerous to the Rams: 

Don’t be surprised if: With James Harrison set to return to the lineup following his one-game suspension last week, don’t be surprised if the Steelers’ defense gets back on track following their less-than-stellar showing against San Francisco on Monday night. The Steelers have feasted on inferior offenses when Harrison has been in the lineup, giving up just 9, 7 and 3 points to Kansas City, Cincinnati and Cleveland respectively in the trio of games preceeding his suspension. Also don’t be surprised if Rashard Mendenhall receives 20 or more carries for just the second time this season (23 vs. Jacksonville in Week 6). Mendenhall was impressive against the 49ers, rushing for 64 yards on 15 carries and catching three balls for an additional 25 yards.    

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.

There is the quick update of the day.

By Steve von Horn

– Newsdesk contributor

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Like SB Nation St. Louis on Facebook.

Dec 6, 2011 – With Sam Bradford nursing an ankle injury and the team falling to 2-10 on the season, the St. Louis Rams don’t have many things going for them outside of draft position. The only good news might be that the winless Indianapolis Colts are insulating the Rams from the dubious distinction of “NFL’s worst team,” but it seems as if NFC’s worst team is a label befitting the disappointing Rams.

SB Nation’s Joel Thorman has released his Week 14 NFL Power Rankings, and the Rams are firmly entrenched as the lowest-ranked NFC team, at No. 31:

Tom Brandstater could be starting at quarterback on Sunday. Haven’t heard of him? Join the crowd.    

Here are the top and bottom five teams in the NFL, according to SB Nation’s rankings:    

Top Five Teams

1. Green Bay Packers (12-0, LW: 1)

2. New Orleans Saints (9-3, LW: 2)

3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3, LW: 3)

4. San Francisco 49ers (10-2, LW: 4)       

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3, LW: 5)        

Bottom Five Teams

28. Washington Redskins (4-8, LW: 27)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9, LW: 29

30. Minnesota Vikings (2-10, LW: 30)

31. St. Louis Rams (2-10, LW: 31)

32. Indianapolis Colts (0-12, LW: 32)   

Will the experts from around the web see it the same way? Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more Power Rankings Updates, 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.

Read More: Tom Brandstater (QB – STL), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams

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That’s all for today.

The St. Louis Rams (2-10) were nothing short of pathetic against the San Francisco 49ers (10-2) in Sunday’s NFC West divisional matchup that resulted in the 49ers clinching the division after an easy 26-0 victory over St. Louis. 

The defense was solid, holding San Francisco to only nine points in the first half. As usual, however, the defense ran out of energy in the second-half and allowed 17 points. 

The offense was led by backup quarterback A.J. Feeley while Sam Bradford was held out with an ankle injury. But backup or not, the offensive performance was inexcusable. 

The offense was only 3-of-13 on third downs (23 percent) and obtained only 157 yards throughout the game while being completely shutout for the first time this season.

With such a collectively unenthusiastic performance by the team, it’s hard to single out a handful of players when in reality the overall effort was brutal.

But nonetheless, here are the five biggest “difference-makers” from the game.

Thanks for reading! .

Sam Bradford was in street clothes, and A.J. Feeley was off target with his throws.

That meant a long day for the St. Louis Rams and their offense.

St. Louis struggled to get the ball past midfield and managed only 157 yards of offense while being shut out for the first time in more than two years in a 26-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Just another emotional blow in a season that can’t end soon enough for the Rams.

“We didn’t do a lot of things very well,” said Feeley, who committed two turnovers and was sacked four times. “They had us on our heels the whole time. As soon as we got something going, we somehow staggered a little bit and put ourselves in a bad situation.”

Feeley, starting in place of the injured Bradford, was only 12 of 22 for 156 yards. He missed several open receivers, fumbled near the Rams’ own goal line and threw an interception on the first series in the third quarter.

The journeyman quarterback didn’t get much help from St. Louis’ running game, either. Steven Jackson and Jerious Norwood each had 19 yards rushing while the Rams (2-10) were held to a meager 1.3 yards per carry.

“We knew we were facing a team that was looking to clinch the NFC West, so we knew we were going to get their best,” Jackson said. “Our defense did a really good job in the first half but overall, (the 49ers) were able to make plays, come up big in defensive situations and eventually they were able to crack it open.”

It didn’t help that the Rams kept getting hurt.

Feeley injured his right thumb early in the fourth quarter while left guard Jacob Bell left with knee and ankle injuries. Left tackle Adam Goldberg (ribs), defensive end Eugene Sims and cornerback Justin King were also knocked out of the game, but all three returned.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo is optimistic Bradford will be able to play in the Rams’ next game at Seattle on Dec. 12.

“He was very sore all the way through and it never really changed,” Spagnuolo said. “He was more than willing to give it a shot … but (we) did not think it was smart to take a chance that something worse could happen to him.”

While the Rams are stumbling, the 49ers are surging after clinching the NFC West division title and a spot in the playoffs.

Frank Gore helped run San Francisco (10-2) right into the postseason, becoming the 49ers’ career rushing leader by passing late Hall of Famer Joe Perry and finishing with 73 yards.

Alex Smith threw second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams, and David Akers kicked four field goals to help Jim Harbaugh join George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in franchise history to win a division title.

The only downer came when star linebacker Patrick Willis left the game in the first half with a right hamstring injury.

San Francisco became the NFL’s second team to secure a playoff berth behind defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay.

Despite further problems converting in the red zone early, San Francisco shut out an opponent for the first time since a 35-0 home win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 4, 2009. That was also the Rams’ last shutout.

The Niners also avenged a late-season loss from 2010 that was still plenty fresh. They had won five straight before losing at St. Louis in the second-to-last week.

Smith, who didn’t start that last game against the Rams, completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with four sacks and no interceptions to finish with a career-high 142.3 quarterback rating.

Gore ran for 2 yards early in the second quarter to give him 7,345 career yards rushing, moving him past Perry (7,344) for most in franchise history.

Akers kicked a 36-yard field goal on San Francisco’s second possession of the game to go up 3-0 with 4:54 left in the first quarter.

Ray McDonald knocked the ball away from Feeley midway through the second quarter to force a fumble and Aldon Smith recovered deep in St. Louis territory. That gave the 49ers first-and-goal at the 6, but they again failed to get into the end zone, settling for Akers’ 19-yard field goal.

“We just can’t seem to put anything together,” Feeley said. “We have to do a better job, plain and simple.”

Akers booted a 28-yarder 1:41 before halftime for his 31st field goal of the year, topping Jeff Wilkins’ single-season franchise mark of 30 set in 1996.

That gave the 49ers nine field goals – with only three TDs – in the last 14 trips to the red zone before Crabtree’s TD catch.

Davis dropped a would-be 40-yard touchdown catch in the end zone late in the second quarter on a perfectly thrown pass from Smith. Davis later had a catch and fumble for San Francisco, which hasn’t scored a first-half touchdown since Week 9 at Washington.

Rams DE Chris Long’s second-quarter sack on Smith gave him one in six straight games.

“The effort’s always there with this group,” Long said. “That’s not something I feel like anybody can question, but execution can definitely be questioned. The effort’s good, but that’s not going to win us any ballgames.”

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Jim Harbaugh delivered exactly what the San Francisco 49ers
hired him for back in January: a playoff berth and NFC West title
in his first season running the show. So much for the lockout
slowing him down.

Left tackle Joe Staley delivered the celebratory Gatordade
dousing on Harbaugh’s head in the closing moments of Sunday’s 26-0
win over the St. Louis Rams that wrapped up that long-awaited
division title for a once-proud franchise determined to return to
the glory days of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, Steve Young and Roger
Craig.

Frank Gore helped run San Francisco (10-2) right into the
postseason, becoming the 49ers’ career rushing leader by passing
late Hall of Famer Joe Perry and finishing with 73 yards.

Alex Smith threw second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to
Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams and David Akers kicked four
field goals to help Harbaugh join George Seifert (1989) and Steve
Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in franchise history to
win the division.

The only downer came when star linebacker Patrick Willis left
the game in the first half with a right hamstring injury.

Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley struggled in place of injured
starter Sam Bradford for the reeling Rams (2-10), who watched
several more key players go down.

San Francisco became the NFL’s second team to secure a playoff
berth behind defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay.

The 49ers bounced back from a discouraging 16-6 loss at
Baltimore on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens and Harbaugh’s
big brother, John, with another methodical victory. Smith was
sacked nine times in that game and four more Sunday.

Despite further problems converting in the red zone early, San
Francisco shut out an opponent for the first time since a 35-0 home
win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 4, 2009. That was also the Rams’
last shutout.

The Niners also avenged a late-season loss from 2010 that was
still plenty fresh. They had won five straight before losing at St.
Louis in the second-to-last week. It was after that game when coach
Mike Singletary was fired. That led to the high-profile hiring of
Harbaugh in January. And the 49ers’ transformation began in
earnest.

San Francisco’s impressive season might help shed that “NFC
Worst” stigma from the West.

Smith, who didn’t start that last game against the Rams,
completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with four sacks and no
interceptions to finish with a career-high 142.3 quarterback
rating. He gave way to rookie backup Colin Kaepernick midway
through the fourth.

Gore ran for 2 yards early in the second quarter to give him
7,345 career yards rushing, moving him past Perry (7,344) for most
in franchise history.

The 28-year-old Gore, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his
seventh NFL season, has said it was a goal for this season to
become the career rushing leader _ though getting to the playoffs
for the first time has always been the top priority.

Same for Smith, Vernon Davis, Willis and all the others who
haven’t played on the NFL’s big stage before.

Gore and his teammates are wearing No. 34 helmet decals this
season in honor of Perry, the first player with back-to-back
1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed “The Jet” for his
sensational speed. He died in April at age 84.

Willis watched the second half on the sideline in a
sweatsuit.

The four-time Pro Bowler landed awkwardly after missing a tackle
on fullback Brit Miller, who made an 18-yard completion from A.J.
Feeley with 4:28 left in the first quarter. Willis’ body twisted as
he fell to the ground at Candlestick Park and he stayed down for a
short time as trainers ran out to check on him, then helped him
limp off the field.

Akers kicked a 36-yard field goal on San Francisco’s second
possession of the game to go up 3-0 with 4:54 left in the first
quarter.

Ray McDonald knocked the ball away from Feeley midway through
the second quarter to force a fumble and Aldon Smith recovered deep
in St. Louis territory. That gave the 49ers first-and-goal on the 6
but they again failed to get in the end zone, settling for Akers’
19-yard field goal.

Akers booted a 28-yarder 1:41 before halftime for his 31st field
goal of the year, topping Jeff Wilkins’ single-season franchise
mark of 30 he set in 1996.

That gave the 49ers nine field goals _ with only three TDs _ in
the last 14 trips to the red zone before Crabtree’s TD catch.

Davis dropped a would-be 40-yard touchdown catch in the end zone
late in the second quarter on a perfectly thrown pass from Smith.
Davis later had a catch and fumble for San Francisco, which hasn’t
scored a first-half touchdown since Week 9 at Washington.

Rams DE Chris Long’s second-quarter sack on Smith gave him one
in six straight games.

What do you guys think about this.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —
Vernon Davis
pulled on a black “NFC West champions” hat to dress up his suit and tie for a snazzy night on the town with some San Francisco
offensive teammates. They were off for a celebratory steak dinner at one of the city’s hotspots.

This meal – for Davis,
Frank Gore
,
Alex Smith
and many others – has been years in the making. Seven, to be exact, for Gore and Smith, and six for Davis. Star linebacker

Patrick Willis
, he’s been waiting five.

The 49ers trounced the beat-up St. Louis Rams 26-0 on Sunday to become the NFL’s second team to secure a playoff berth behind
unbeaten defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay. Jim Harbaugh’s focused bunch wrapped up that long-awaited division title
for a once-proud franchise determined to return to the glory days of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, Steve Young and Roger Craig.

The 49ers are NFC West champs and back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

“We want to make it to the championship. It’s something we’ve been wanting for a long time,” Davis said. “This is the reason
why I’m here. It means a lot to me.”

Harbaugh delivered exactly what the 49ers hired him for back in January: immediate success, a major transformation in a matter
of months. So much for the lockout slowing him down.

Left tackle
Joe Staley
delivered the Gatordade dousing on Harbaugh’s head in the closing moments – sneaking up on the coach at the 2-minute warning.
Or so he thought. Harbaugh, a 15-year NFL quarterback himself in his day, dodged out of the way to avoid being fully soaked.

“This step, this game today is for all those strong and mighty men who have been carrying the flag for this many years,” Harbaugh
said. “Each year that they’ve been here, thinking that was going to be the year, the year we go to the playoffs … and there’s
disappointment when you don’t make that.”

Gore helped run San Francisco (10-2) right into the postseason, becoming the 49ers’ career rushing leader by passing late
Hall of Famer Joe Perry and finishing with 73 yards.

Alex Smith
threw second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to
Michael Crabtree
and
Kyle Williams
and
David Akers
kicked four field goals to help Harbaugh join George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in
franchise history to win the division.

The only downer came when Willis left the game in the first half with a right hamstring injury that Harbaugh afterward said
he didn’t consider serious.

Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley struggled in place of injured starter
Sam Bradford
for the reeling Rams (2-10), who watched several more key players go down.

Even Feeley needed X-rays afterward on his right thumb.

“It’s kind of the same story we’ve had all year. We just can’t seem to put anything together,” he said. “It’s like a clock
where everybody’s got to be in sync. When that doesn’t happen you put yourself in a tough situation.”

The 49ers bounced back from a discouraging 16-6 loss at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens and Harbaugh’s
big brother, John, with another methodical victory. Smith was sacked nine times in that game and four more Sunday.

Despite further problems converting in the red zone early, San Francisco shut out an opponent for the first time since a 35-0
home win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 4, 2009. That was also the Rams’ last shutout.

The Niners also avenged a late-season loss from 2010 that was still plenty fresh. They had won five straight before losing
at St. Louis in the second-to-last week. It was after that game when coach Mike Singletary was fired. That led to the high-profile
hiring of Harbaugh in January. And the 49ers’ transformation began in earnest.

San Francisco’s impressive season might help shed that “NFC Worst” stigma from the West.

“It’s not a Hollywood team,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a blue-collar team.”

Smith, who didn’t start that last game against the Rams, completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with no interceptions to
finish with a career-high 142.3 quarterback rating. He gave way to rookie backup
Colin Kaepernick
midway through the fourth.

Gore ran for 2 yards early in the second quarter to give him 7,345 career yards rushing, moving him past Perry (7,344) for
most in franchise history.

The 28-year-old Gore, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his seventh NFL season, has said it was a goal for this season to become
the career rushing leader – though getting to the playoffs for the first time has always been the top priority.

“There’ve been some tough years here,” Gore said. “To get an opportunity to get to the postseason and to get it early, that’s
a blessing.”

Gore and his teammates are wearing No. 34 helmet decals this season in honor of Perry, the first player with back-to-back
1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed “The Jet” for his sensational speed. He died in April at age 84.

Willis watched the second half on the sideline in a sweatsuit.

The four-time Pro Bowler landed awkwardly after missing a tackle on fullback
Brit Miller
, who made an 18-yard completion from Feeley with 4:28 left in the first quarter. Willis’ body twisted as he fell to the ground
and he stayed down for a short time as trainers ran out to check on him, then helped him limp off the field.

Akers kicked field goals of 36 and 19 yards then booted a 28-yarder 1:41 before halftime for his 31st of the year, topping
Jeff Wilkins’ single-season franchise mark of 30 set in 1996.

That gave the 49ers nine field goals – with only three TDs – in the last 14 trips to the red zone before Crabtree’s TD catch.
Akers kicked a 34-yarder in the third quarter.

Notes: Rams LG
Jacob Bell
(right knee) left and didn’t return. … The Niners are unbeaten in their last 10 home games vs. NFC West. … Rookie
Aldon Smith
also had two sacks. … Rams DE
Chris Long
has a sack in six straight games.

© 2011 STATS LLC

Leave your comments on the news below.

Kendall Hunter #32 of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to break the tackle of Craig Dahl #43 of the St Louis Rams at Candlestick Park on December 4, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —
Vernon Davis
pulled on a black “NFC West champions” hat to dress up his suit and tie for a snazzy night on the town with some San Francisco
offensive teammates. They were off for a celebratory steak dinner at one of the city’s hotspots.

This meal – for Davis,
Frank Gore
,
Alex Smith
and many others – has been years in the making. Seven, to be exact, for Gore and Smith, and six for Davis. Star linebacker

Patrick Willis
, he’s been waiting five.

The 49ers trounced the beat-up St. Louis Rams 26-0 on Sunday to become the NFL’s second team to secure a playoff berth behind
unbeaten defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay. Jim Harbaugh’s focused bunch wrapped up that long-awaited division title
for a once-proud franchise determined to return to the glory days of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, Steve Young and Roger Craig.

The 49ers are NFC West champs and back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

“We want to make it to the championship. It’s something we’ve been wanting for a long time,” Davis said. “This is the reason
why I’m here. It means a lot to me.”

Harbaugh delivered exactly what the 49ers hired him for back in January: immediate success, a major transformation in a matter
of months. So much for the lockout slowing him down.

Left tackle
Joe Staley
delivered the Gatordade dousing on Harbaugh’s head in the closing moments – sneaking up on the coach at the 2-minute warning.
Or so he thought. Harbaugh, a 15-year NFL quarterback himself in his day, dodged out of the way to avoid being fully soaked.

“This step, this game today is for all those strong and mighty men who have been carrying the flag for this many years,” Harbaugh
said. “Each year that they’ve been here, thinking that was going to be the year, the year we go to the playoffs … and there’s
disappointment when you don’t make that.”

Gore helped run San Francisco (10-2) right into the postseason, becoming the 49ers’ career rushing leader by passing late
Hall of Famer Joe Perry and finishing with 73 yards.

Alex Smith
threw second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to
Michael Crabtree
and
Kyle Williams
and
David Akers
kicked four field goals to help Harbaugh join George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in
franchise history to win the division.

The only downer came when Willis left the game in the first half with a right hamstring injury that Harbaugh afterward said
he didn’t consider serious.

Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley struggled in place of injured starter
Sam Bradford
for the reeling Rams (2-10), who watched several more key players go down.

Even Feeley needed X-rays afterward on his right thumb.

“It’s kind of the same story we’ve had all year. We just can’t seem to put anything together,” he said. “It’s like a clock
where everybody’s got to be in sync. When that doesn’t happen you put yourself in a tough situation.”

The 49ers bounced back from a discouraging 16-6 loss at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens and Harbaugh’s
big brother, John, with another methodical victory. Smith was sacked nine times in that game and four more Sunday.

Despite further problems converting in the red zone early, San Francisco shut out an opponent for the first time since a 35-0
home win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 4, 2009. That was also the Rams’ last shutout.

The Niners also avenged a late-season loss from 2010 that was still plenty fresh. They had won five straight before losing
at St. Louis in the second-to-last week. It was after that game when coach Mike Singletary was fired. That led to the high-profile
hiring of Harbaugh in January. And the 49ers’ transformation began in earnest.

San Francisco’s impressive season might help shed that “NFC Worst” stigma from the West.

“It’s not a Hollywood team,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a blue-collar team.”

Smith, who didn’t start that last game against the Rams, completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with no interceptions to
finish with a career-high 142.3 quarterback rating. He gave way to rookie backup
Colin Kaepernick
midway through the fourth.

Gore ran for 2 yards early in the second quarter to give him 7,345 career yards rushing, moving him past Perry (7,344) for
most in franchise history.

The 28-year-old Gore, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his seventh NFL season, has said it was a goal for this season to become
the career rushing leader – though getting to the playoffs for the first time has always been the top priority.

“There’ve been some tough years here,” Gore said. “To get an opportunity to get to the postseason and to get it early, that’s
a blessing.”

Gore and his teammates are wearing No. 34 helmet decals this season in honor of Perry, the first player with back-to-back
1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed “The Jet” for his sensational speed. He died in April at age 84.

Willis watched the second half on the sideline in a sweatsuit.

The four-time Pro Bowler landed awkwardly after missing a tackle on fullback
Brit Miller
, who made an 18-yard completion from Feeley with 4:28 left in the first quarter. Willis’ body twisted as he fell to the ground
and he stayed down for a short time as trainers ran out to check on him, then helped him limp off the field.

Akers kicked field goals of 36 and 19 yards then booted a 28-yarder 1:41 before halftime for his 31st of the year, topping
Jeff Wilkins’ single-season franchise mark of 30 set in 1996.

That gave the 49ers nine field goals – with only three TDs – in the last 14 trips to the red zone before Crabtree’s TD catch.
Akers kicked a 34-yarder in the third quarter.

Notes: Rams LG
Jacob Bell
(right knee) left and didn’t return. … The Niners are unbeaten in their last 10 home games vs. NFC West. … Rookie
Aldon Smith
also had two sacks. … Rams DE
Chris Long
has a sack in six straight games.

© 2011 STATS LLC

Feel free to leave your comments below.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

Vernon Davis pulled on a black ”NFC West champions” hat to dress up his suit and tie for a snazzy night on the town with some San Francisco offensive teammates. They were off for a celebratory steak dinner at one of the city’s hotspots.

This meal – for Davis, Frank Gore, Alex Smith and many others – has been years in the making. Seven, to be exact, for Gore and Smith, and six for Davis. Star linebacker Patrick Willis, he’s been waiting five.

The 49ers trounced the beat-up St. Louis Rams 26-0 on Sunday to become the NFL’s second team to secure a playoff berth behind unbeaten defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay. Jim Harbaugh’s focused bunch wrapped up that long-awaited division title for a once-proud franchise determined to return to the glory days of Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, Steve Young and Roger Craig.

The 49ers are NFC West champs and back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

”We want to make it to the championship. It’s something we’ve been wanting for a long time,” Davis said. ”This is the reason why I’m here. It means a lot to me.”

Harbaugh delivered exactly what the 49ers hired him for back in January: immediate success, a major transformation in a matter of months. So much for the lockout slowing him down.

Left tackle Joe Staley delivered the Gatordade dousing on Harbaugh’s head in the closing moments – sneaking up on the coach at the 2-minute warning. Or so he thought. Harbaugh, a 15-year NFL quarterback himself in his day, dodged out of the way to avoid being fully soaked.

”This step, this game today is for all those strong and mighty men who have been carrying the flag for this many years,” Harbaugh said. ”Each year that they’ve been here, thinking that was going to be the year, the year we go to the playoffs . . . and there’s disappointment when you don’t make that.”

Gore helped run San Francisco (10-2) right into the postseason, becoming the 49ers’ career rushing leader by passing late Hall of Famer Joe Perry and finishing with 73 yards.

Alex Smith threw second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams and David Akers kicked four field goals to help Harbaugh join George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in franchise history to win the division.

The only downer came when Willis left the game in the first half with a right hamstring injury that Harbaugh afterward said he didn’t consider serious.

Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley struggled in place of injured starter Sam Bradford for the reeling Rams (2-10), who watched several more key players go down.

Even Feeley needed X-rays afterward on his right thumb.

”It’s kind of the same story we’ve had all year. We just can’t seem to put anything together,” he said. ”It’s like a clock where everybody’s got to be in sync. When that doesn’t happen you put yourself in a tough situation.”

The 49ers bounced back from a discouraging 16-6 loss at Baltimore on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens and Harbaugh’s big brother, John, with another methodical victory. Smith was sacked nine times in that game and four more Sunday.

Despite further problems converting in the red zone early, San Francisco shut out an opponent for the first time since a 35-0 home win at Candlestick Park on Oct. 4, 2009. That was also the Rams’ last shutout.

The Niners also avenged a late-season loss from 2010 that was still plenty fresh. They had won five straight before losing at St. Louis in the second-to-last week. It was after that game when coach Mike Singletary was fired. That led to the high-profile hiring of Harbaugh in January. And the 49ers’ transformation began in earnest.

San Francisco’s impressive season might help shed that ”NFC Worst” stigma from the West.

”It’s not a Hollywood team,” Harbaugh said. ”It’s a blue-collar team.”

Smith, who didn’t start that last game against the Rams, completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with no interceptions to finish with a career-high 142.3 quarterback rating. He gave way to rookie backup Colin Kaepernick midway through the fourth.

Gore ran for 2 yards early in the second quarter to give him 7,345 career yards rushing, moving him past Perry (7,344) for most in franchise history.

The 28-year-old Gore, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his seventh NFL season, has said it was a goal for this season to become the career rushing leader – though getting to the playoffs for the first time has always been the top priority.

”There’ve been some tough years here,” Gore said. ”To get an opportunity to get to the postseason and to get it early, that’s a blessing.”

Gore and his teammates are wearing No. 34 helmet decals this season in honor of Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed ”The Jet” for his sensational speed. He died in April at age 84.

Willis watched the second half on the sideline in a sweatsuit.

The four-time Pro Bowler landed awkwardly after missing a tackle on fullback Brit Miller, who made an 18-yard completion from Feeley with 4:28 left in the first quarter. Willis’ body twisted as he fell to the ground and he stayed down for a short time as trainers ran out to check on him, then helped him limp off the field.

Akers kicked field goals of 36 and 19 yards then booted a 28-yarder 1:41 before halftime for his 31st of the year, topping Jeff Wilkins’ single-season franchise mark of 30 set in 1996.

That gave the 49ers nine field goals – with only three TDs – in the last 14 trips to the red zone before Crabtree’s TD catch. Akers kicked a 34-yarder in the third quarter.

Notes: Rams LG Jacob Bell (right knee) left and didn’t return. . . . The Niners are unbeaten in their last 10 home games vs. NFC West. . . . Rookie Aldon Smith also had two sacks. . . . Rams DE Chris Long has a sack in six straight games.

What do you guys think about this.

Read More: A.J. Feeley (QB – STL), Michael Crabtree (WR – SFX), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams

Prior to the season, most fans would have thought that it would be the St. Louis Rams clinching an NFC West title, while the San Francisco 49ers would be struggling towards another high draft pick. However, this season has proven to be a disaster for the Rams, as they fell 26-0 to the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers.

With Sam Bradford sidelined by an ankle injury, it was clear that it would take something special for the Rams to generate any sort of offense against San Francisco. Unfortunately, the Rams delivered an uninspired offensive performance, as they gained only 157 yards. The offensive line continued its poor play, with the Rams only able to rush for 31 yards. Steven Jackson was limited to 19 yards on 10 carries, while A.J. Feeley completed 12/22 for 156 yards.

On the defensive end, the Rams couldn’t maintain their form from the first half, as Alex Smith torched the secondary twice. Smith threw a 52-yard TD pass to Michael Crabtree and a 56-yard TD pass to Kyle Williams to help the 49ers cruise to another comfortable win.

The Rams will look to end their three-game losing streak when they travel to Seattle for a Monday Night Football matchup. San Francisco pays a visit to Arizona next Sunday.

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.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Read More: Tom Brandstater (QB – STL), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams

As if the St. Louis Rams needed any more obstacles for Sunday’s road matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, the team is starting to prepare for Sam Bradford missing Week 13 with an ankle injury. Bradford originally suffered left high ankle sprain in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers, after which he missed two games, and now he re-aggravated the injury in the Week 12 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. 

Bradford was walking with a limp in practice on Friday, and did very limited work with the first team offense before giving way to veteran quarterback Jay Feeley, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The team is making subtle preparations for having to play Feeley on Sunday as well, resigning QB Tom Brandstater to the practice squad to help take the scout team load off of Feeley for Friday’s practice. 

Head coach Steve Spagnuolo didn’t sound optimistic about Bradford on Friday:

He was very limited. Didn’t do much at all. He’s still a little sore. So we’ll see where we are (Saturday), and as always, this will be a day-to-day deal…We wanted to make sure we didn’t play him until we knew he could get himself in and out of trouble, so that’ll be part of the decision.

via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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.

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

The St. Louis Rams and the San Francisco 49ers are set to renew their age-old NFL rivalry in the Bay Area on Sunday.

Both teams have been among the biggest surprises in the league this season—the Rams for their ineptitude with Sam Bradford under center, the Niners for their excellence under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh.

San Fran has all but locked up the NFC West title, but don’t expect that to take away from the fire that burns between these two foes.

Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco

When: Sunday, December 4th, at 4:15 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX

Spread: 49ers -13.5 (according to sportsbook.com)

Take the spread here. Only three of San Fran’s nine wins have come by double digits this season. The Rams have a good enough running game to keep this one within striking distance.

Over/Under: 38 points (according to sportsbook.com)

Go with the under. These two teams combine to score fewer than 37 points per game and neither has the sort of firepower needed to light up the scoreboard on Sunday.

Key Injuries:

The Rams may be without star quarterback Sam Bradford and defensive end Chris Long, both of whom have missed practice time this week and are listed as questionable for Week 13 on account of ankle injuries.

The Niners receiving corps could be missing one of its key components if Braylon Edwards, who did not participate in practice on Friday, has to sit out to nurse his injured knee.

Fantasy Big Plays:

START: Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

The Rams defense ranks last in the NFL in rushing yards per game allowed—a measure of mediocrity bolstered and confirmed by Beanie Wells’ 228-yard day last weekend. Gore is a better back with a better offensive line playing in a much more ground-oriented offense.

In other words, expect Gore to approach, if not fly right past, the 20-point plateau on Sunday.

SIT: Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams

Don’t be fooled by Bradford’s bum ankle into thinking Steven Jackson will have a big day against the Niners. Sure, Jackson will have every opportunity to run.

It’s just not a friendly defense to run against. San Fran ranks first in the league in rushing yards allowed and hasn’t given up a touchdown on the ground all season. Don’t think that will change just because St. Louis is in town.

Keys to Rams Win:

St. Louis needs to do everything it can to keep the ball away from Frank Gore, lest the Rams subject their defense to humiliation on down after agonizing down. The best way to do that, of course, is to pound the rock with Steven Jackson.

That won’t be easy, seeing as how the Niners are tops in the NFL against the run, but unless Bradford proves healthy enough to be effective, it’s the only chance the Rams have have.

Key to 49ers Win:

The Niners need only do what they’ve been doing all season—run the ball on offense, stop the run on defense and limit their mistakes—to come out on top in this one. Frank Gore should have plenty of room to roam against the Rams’ defense—more than enough to make the game a runaway for San Fran.

Prediction: 49ers 20, Rams 10

The 49ers have the defense to shut the Rams down, but lack the explosion on offense to turn this one into an absolute laugher. Still, this one won’t feel close whatsoever, even if the scoreboard suggests otherwise.

That’s all the news for today.