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49ers shutout the Rams, improve to 3-1
By Morris Phillips October 4, 2009 |
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The 49ers were conservative, but efficient, while the Rams surrendered three game-changing plays in a 35-0 shutout that moves San Francisco to 3-1 with a growing lead in the NFC West. Without Frank Gore or a pressing need to produce offense, the 49ers gained just 229 yards on the day, but broke the game open with a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter. Sean Hill completed just 14 passes and Vernon Davis caught only three, but the pair hooked up for the first score after halftime. Vernon Davis has caught 32 passes, five for touchdowns, in the last nine games, dating back to his early shower against the Seahawks. The 49ers posted a shutout for the first time since 2002, while the Rams lost their 14th straight game dating back to 2008. The 49ers scored on a punt that was muffed by Rams’ return blocker Quincy Butler, who reacted immediately to the ball after kicking it into the end zone, only to collide with returner Danny Amendola , right before he could dive and recover the ball. The collision allowed rookie Scott McKillop to slide in for the recovery and touchdown. That was the only score in a sluggish first half that bothered Coach Mike Singletary. “This is our house. We want to set the tempo. We don’t want any team coming in here setting the tempo. We want to set the tempo. We were not doing that. I felt they were taking the fight to us,” Singletary said. With Singletary’s urgings, the 49ers picked it up with their second series after halftime, showing the Rams that “Hit ‘em in the mouth” can have an effect on the outcome of games. The seven-play, 48-yard drive put the 49ers in the end zone when Davis got a clean release from the line of scrimmage and caught Hill’s throw in front of the goal post, similar to his touchdown in Minnesota last week. From that onset of that drive, the 49ers were physical and technically sound against the Rams, which meant they were a step ahead at most junctures of a particular play, allowing them to hit ‘em in the mouth repeatedly. The 49ers surged with three more scores, including two defensive touchdowns, while the Rams managed just 52 yards in offense the rest of the way. With the 49ers dictating offensively with their pace, and defensively with their reaction and explosiveness, the team has created a calling card. And whether Frank Gore is available or not, the style appears the same. And that’s what’s as satisfying as the near perfect 3-1 start, the team has a clear identity and consistency in style of play that playoff teams have. The 49ers didn’t turn the ball over and committed just three penalties in their cleanest game of the brief Singletary era. Also, the 49ers have succeeded in softening up their opponents. They gained that edge previously against the Seahawks, Cardinals and even the Vikings, by stopping Adrian Peterson and slowing Brett Farve for 59 minutes. Last year, games against Redskins, Bills, Rams and even the loss to the Dolphins had the same 49ers imprint, physical play and a wearing effect that kept the 49ers in games or allowed them to win them late. According to Mike Singletary and many coaches before him, winning the physical battles consistently is a product of a well-rehearsed, well-conditioned team. In this case, Singletary can point to his physically demanding training camp for instilling the closing kick in his players. The playoffs aren’t yet assured, but another bruising camp in Santa Clara next year is. Now the 49ers prepare for stiffer tests: Atlanta, then Houston and Indianapolis on the road. The Falcons should provide a telling test, as a playoff team that can score. The 49ers poor third down conversion rate (16 for 57) will be a hurdle the 49ers need to jump against the next three opponents that have the ability to score. |
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