49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars

Josh Scobee kicked a 36-yard field goal in the final minute and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the 49ers 10-9 at Candlestick Park. Alex Smith threw for 123 yards and an interception. Frank Gore ran for 79 in his first NFL start as the lead back. Joe Nedney made three field goals. The defense intercepted David Garrard once. The 49ers fell to 2-12 with the heartbreaking home loss.[1][2][3]

Josh Scobee made a 36-yard field goal in the final minute Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the 49ers 10-9 in the kind of home loss where, despite Frank Gore's 79 yards in his first NFL start as the lead back and the kind of grind-it-out defensive game the year's identity needs, the kicker's last-minute kick ended the year's only chance at a near-statement win.

Alex Smith threw for 123 yards with an interception. Frank Gore ran for 79 and added three catches for 57. Brandon Lloyd was held to one catch for 17. Joe Nedney made three field goals. The defense intercepted David Garrard once and held the Jaguars to one field goal.

2-12. The kind of home loss where the year's identity tape, in its most competitive game of the second half, lost on the last play. Frank Gore's first NFL start as the lead back is the year's lone offensive bright spot. The St. Louis Rams at home next Sunday for the Christmas Eve home game.

Jaguars 10, 49ers 9. Margin: -1. Fourteen-game record: 2-12, -196 differential.

* Josh Scobee: 36y FG in final minute (game-winner).
* David Garrard: 21-of-40 for 216, 0 TDs, 0 INTs.
* Fred Taylor: 17 carries for 61.
* Alex Smith: 8-of-24 for 123, 0 TDs, 1 INT.
* Frank Gore (1st NFL start as lead back): 19 carries for 79; 3 catches for 57.
* Brandon Lloyd: 1 catch for 17.
* Joe Nedney: 3 FGs.
* 49ers D: 1 INT of Garrard.
* 49ers 2-12; Jaguars 11-3.

A 10-9 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Candlestick. Josh Scobee's late field goal ends the year's most competitive home game. The 49ers fall to 2-12.

How it unfolded

The Jaguars scored a touchdown on their opening drive to make it 7-0. The 49ers answered with a Joe Nedney field goal. Nedney added a second field goal in the second quarter to make it 7-6. Jacksonville added a Scobee field goal to make it 10-6. The 49ers added a Nedney third field goal in the third quarter to make it 10-9. The fourth quarter was scoreless until Scobee's late 36-yard field goal won it for the Jaguars 13-9. The 49ers' final possession ended without scoring chances.

The turning point

Josh Scobee's late field goal. With the game 10-9 and the 49ers' defensive identity holding the Jaguars to one touchdown in 13-of-13 attempts, the late field goal ended the year's most competitive home performance.

By the numbers

Smith 123 passing on 24 attempts with an INT. Gore 79 rushing on 19 carries plus 57 receiving on 3 catches (his most productive game). Brandon Lloyd 17 receiving on 1 catch. Garrard 216 on 40 attempts with no TDs and an INT. Fred Taylor 61 rushing.

Personnel watch

Frank Gore's first NFL start as the lead back, the kind of debut that gave the year's offensive identity the kind of breakout the staff was hoping for. Alex Smith's continued struggles. Joe Nedney's three field goals. The defense's interception of Garrard. The kind of home loss where the year's identity tape, in its most competitive game, lost on the last play.

What it means

2-12 with the Rams at home next Sunday for Christmas Eve. The kind of home loss where the year's competitive identity, even in defeat, gave Frank Gore the kind of NFL debut that suggested a multi-year career. The kind of December where the year's offensive identity has now produced two consecutive competitive games.