The San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams both entered Thursday night’s matchup at 1-2 with a loss dealing a potential deathblow for hopes of making a playoff run this season.
The 49ers played with the urgency of a team with their backs against the wall and throttled a Rams team that gave them fits in 2012.
San Francisco got back to their running game formula that proved so successful a season ago. The 49ers ran for 219 yards with Frank Gore leading the way. Gore ran for 153 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon also added scores on the ground at the 49ers cruised to a 35-11 victory over St. Louis Thursday night.
The Rams’ running game was non-existent. St. Louis desperately missed the production of Steven Jackson as they ran for just 18 yards on 19 carries. It forced Sam Bradford to have to carry the Rams offense and he failed horribly. Bradford completed just 19 of 41 passes against the 49ers with a garbage time touchdown and an interception by Donte Whitner, though 49ers defenders nearly intercepted at least three other passes as well.
It was a pivotal game for both teams and their hopes of remaining relevant this season. The 49ers proved they could right the ship and get back on track after losing consecutive games for the first time under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Meanwhile, the Rams were hammered for the second straight week and their offense looked completely disjointed.
For now, San Francisco avoided a potentially devastating loss to their playoff hopes and showed they aren’t folding after two difficult weeks in the Bay Area.