49ers vs. Rams: A prospector's guide

The San Francisco 49ers are finished with their last "extended road trip" of the season as they head home to face the St. Louis Rams. The entire back stretch of the schedule is a big deal, but these next two games are especially important. The 49ers host the Rams, and then host the Seahawks.

After the big win over the Rams in St. Louis earlier in the season, I was concerned the team might look past them this week, and start thinking about Seattle. However, the last two weeks, the Rams have shown how dangerous they can be. They went into Indianapolis and pounded the Colts, and then came home and beat up the Bears.

The Rams have won big because of a mix of a strong defense, solid rushing attack, and the "big play". The Rams might finally be figuring out how to use Tavon Austin, and that's a scary thought. 49ers cornerback Carlos Rogers is having a very solid season, but this will be a huge test for him when the Rams drop Austin in the slot. This could be the make-or-break matchup of the game.

As always, here are some notable performances, as well as series and season stats, courtesy of the 49ers PR department.

Anquan Boldin

• In 14 career games against StL, he has totaled 88 receptions for 1,228 yards and 7 TDs.
• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he had 6 receptions for a team-high 123 yards and 2 TDs at StL (11/23/03). The 2 TDs were the 5th and 6th of his career.
• Had 8 receptions for a team-high 119 yards vs. StL (9/18/05) as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, had 8 receptions for 105 yards and 1 TD at StL (11/20/05).
• Had 10 receptions for 129 yards at StL (9/24/06) as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he had 8 receptions for 103 yards and 1 TD at StL (11/22/09).
• As a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he had 8 receptions for 116 yards vs. StL (12/27/09).
• Recorded 5 receptions for a game-high 90 yards and 1 TD at StL (9/26/03).

NaVorro Bowman

• Took down Rams QB Kellen Clemens for a 7-yd. loss in the 4th qtr. when the Rams were threatening to even the score with 2:46 remaining at StL (1/1/12).
• Sacked QB Sam Bradford and forced a fumble, which was recovered by DT Tony Jerod-Eddie. RB Anthony Dixon found the end zone on a 1-yd. run two plays later. Finished with 9 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 PD and FF at StL (9/26/13).

Frank Gore

• Ranks 1st in NFL history with 14 rushing TD against StL.
• In 14 games vs. StL, he has rushed for 1,149 yds. and 14 TDs on 254 carries, including posting 5, 100-yd. games.
• His 14 rushing TDs vs. StL are the most against any team in the NFL.
• Passed 49ers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Perry (7,344) for most rushing yds. in franchise history vs. StL (12/4/11). Gore broke the record on a 2-yd. run in the 2nd qtr. and finished the day with 73 yds. on 21 carries.
• Had 20 carries for 153 yds. and 1 TD at StL (9/26/13).

Tony Jerod-Eddie

• Recorded his first career fumble recovery at StL (9/26/13). The takeaway led to a 1-yd. TD run by RB Anthony Dixon two plays later.

Andy Lee

• Notched a single-game career-high 5 punts downed inside the 20-yd. line vs. StL (10/4/09).
• Boomed 5 punts for 284 yds. (56.8 avg.), including a net of 51.4 and 2 punts downed inside the 20-yd. line at StL (1/1/12).

Ray McDonald

• Recorded his first career FR and returned it 11 yds. to the end zone for his first career TD vs. StL (10/4/09).
• Registered his first career FF after taking down Rams QB A.J. Feeley vs. StL (12/4/11).

Justin Smith

• Notched a career-high 3.5 sacks on QB Keith Null at StL in the 2009 season finale (1/3/10).

Donte Whitner

• As a member of the Buffalo Bills, recorded his first career sack at StL (9/28/08).
• Intercepted QB Sam Bradford in the end zone at StL (9/26/13).

Patrick Willis

• While wearing a cast on his hand, registered a sack and FF at StL (12/26/10), taking down QB Sam Bradford.
• Recorded 2nd career INT return for a TD, returning a QB Kyle Boller pass 23 yds. for a score, while posting a career-high 2.5 sacks to go along with 11 tackles vs. StL (10/4/09). He became the first player in franchise history, and just the third player in the NFL since the sack became an official statistic in 1982, to tally at least 2.5 sacks and an INT return for a TD in the same game. 

Series Highlights
Matchups: 128
Series Record: 49ers lead series 63-62-3
49ers Home Record vs. Rams: Series tied 31-31-2
First Meeting: 10/1/50, Rams win 35-14, at SF
Last Meeting: 9/26/13, 49ers win 35-11, at StL
Current Streak: Won 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 17 (12/17/90 - 12/27/98)
Longest Rams Win Streak: 10 (11/29/70 - 9/28/75)
Most 49ers Points: 48 (12/27/87): 49ers win 48-0, at SF
Most Rams Points: 56 (11/9/58): Rams win 56-7, at LA
49ers Shutouts: 8 (Last 12/4/11), 49ers win 26-0, at SF
Rams Shutouts: None

2013 Statistics