Rams at 49ers
THE STORY: An 0-6 start to the season essentially guaranteed the St. Louis Rams that the most they could hope for in the second half of the season is to play the role of spoiler. After playing four consecutive teams with losing records, the Rams get a chance to embrace that role when they visit the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. San Francisco, easily the surprise team of the league under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, can wrap up the division title with a victory. The 49ers cannot afford to let up with a potential first-round bye to the playoffs on the horizon.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: 49ers -13, O/U 37.5
ABOUT THE RAMS (2-9): Among St. Louis’ myriad of issues, the inability to score and stop the run are right at the top. The Rams reached 20 points for only the second time this season in last week’s 23-20 home loss to Arizona. The league’s worst run defense was gashed for 228 yards by Beanie Wells – no fluke after having been torched for 253 yards by Dallas’ DeMarco Murray in October. QB Sam Bradford aggravated an ankle injury in last week’s loss and sat out practice Thursday.
ABOUT THE 49ERS (9-2): San Francisco’s eight-game winning streak was snapped in a 16-6 loss at Baltimore last week. QB Alex Smith was sacked nine times by the Ravens. Expect the Niners to try and get the running game and Frank Gore untracked against the Rams. He was limited to 39 yards by Baltimore. WR Michael Crabtree has hauled in 13 receptions in the last two games. San Francisco has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 33 games, the longest active streak in the league.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The 49ers have won five of the last six meetings, but Bradford rallied the Rams to a 25-17 win at St. Louis in the last matchup – a game that cost coach Mike Singletary his job.
2. Gore needs 22 yards to become the leading rusher in franchise history (Joe Perry, 7,344).
3. San Francisco has not allowed a TD in the first half in each of the last five games, a franchise record. The Niners are also first team since 1928 Providence Steamrollers to not allow a rushing TD in the first 11 games.