Even at four games under .500, the San Francisco 49ers still have a chance to reach the NFC playoffs. However, a loss at St. Louis on Sunday will officially end San Francisco's postseason chances.
The Rams (6-8) and 49ers (5-9) face off in a key NFC West contest. Seattle (6-8), tied with St. Louis for first place, travels to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers (8-6).
Coming off a dismal performance last Thursday in San Francisco’s 34-7 loss at San Diego, former No. 1 quarterback Alex Smith has again lost his starting job to Troy Smith despite owning a 4-1 career record against the Rams as a starter.
Alex Smith was sacked six times in the loss to the Chargers and had started the last two games after sitting out the previous five.
Troy Smith threw for fewer than 200 yards in four of his five starts, but his best performance came against the Rams on Nov. 14, when he had a career-high 356 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 overtime victory. Tight end Vernon Davis had six catches for 89 yards and a touchdown in that game.
San Francisco actually has the best record within the division at 3-1, but is only 1-6 on the road this season. In order to avoid missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, the 49ers have to win their last two games in addition to needing Seattle to lose at least once. San Francisco closes out the regular season Jan. 2 at home against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Rams have dropped two straight, including a 27-13 contest at home last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Rookie quarterback Sam Bradford completed 30 of 42 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown in his first game against the 49ers.
Bradford is only the third rookie in NFL history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a season. The No. 1 overall draft pick has completed 307 of 517 passes for 3,065 yards, 17 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for St. Louis, which is 4-3 at home.
San Francisco, which hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in a league-leading 20 consecutive games, will need to contain Rams running back Steven Jackson. With 1,148 yards to date, Jackson is the only Ram with six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Jackson had 81 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving and a rushing touchdown against the 49ers earlier this season while wide receiver Brandon Gibson had a career-best eight catches for 72 yards against San Francisco.
If the Rams win this week and win at Seattle next Sunday, they will claim the division title for the first time since 2003. St. Louis will not be eliminated with a loss on Sunday, but next week would have to win at Seattle and have San Francisco lose at Arizona.