49ers vs. St. Louis Rams

Marc Bulger threw a touchdown pass and the St. Louis Rams beat the 49ers 13-9 at Candlestick Park. Trent Dilfer threw for 231 with two interceptions. Frank Gore ran for 32 yards. Arnaz Battle caught six for 86. The Rams' Jeff Wilkins made two field goals. The 49ers managed three Joe Nedney field goals and never reached the end zone. The 49ers fell to 2-8 with the loss.[1][2][3]

The St. Louis Rams beat the 49ers 13-9 Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. The kind of home loss where, against the league's second-worst team, the 49ers' offensive identity produced three field goals and zero touchdowns.

Trent Dilfer threw for 231 with two interceptions in his return to the starting role. Frank Gore ran for 32 yards. Arnaz Battle caught six for 86. Vernon Davis caught two for 30. The defense surrendered the kind of game-clinching touchdown to a Bulger-led offense that had been the league's worst.

2-8. The kind of home loss where the year's competitive identity, against a team that was 1-8 coming in, was the kind of result that ends a year's narrative. The Arizona Cardinals on the road next Sunday for Thanksgiving week's Sunday game. The kind of November where the team plays for the offseason. Mike Nolan's job security becomes the daily story.

Rams 13, 49ers 9. Margin: -4. Ten-game record: 2-8, -110 differential.

* Marc Bulger: 21-of-32 for 155, 1 TD, 0 INTs.
* Steven Jackson: 23 carries for 92.
* Jeff Wilkins: 2 FGs.
* Trent Dilfer: 20-of-42 for 231, 0 TDs, 2 INTs.
* Frank Gore: 15 carries for 32.
* Arnaz Battle: 6 catches for 86.
* Joe Nedney: 3 FGs.
* 49ers offense: 0 touchdowns.
* 49ers 2-8; Rams 2-8.

A 13-9 home loss to the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick. The 49ers fall to 2-8.

How it unfolded

The 49ers scored first with a Joe Nedney field goal. The Rams answered with a Jeff Wilkins field goal to make it 3-3. Nedney added a second field goal to make it 6-3. The Rams added a Bulger touchdown to make it 10-6 at halftime. The third quarter was a Nedney third field goal to make it 10-9. The fourth quarter was a Wilkins second field goal to close it 13-9. The 49ers' final possessions ended on Dilfer interceptions and a fourth-down failure.

The turning point

The Bulger touchdown in the second quarter. With the score 6-3 and the Rams' offense looking like it would not produce a touchdown all day, the scoring drive gave St. Louis the lead they used to manage the rest of the game with field goals.

By the numbers

Dilfer 231 passing on 42 attempts with no TDs and two INTs. Gore 32 rushing on 15 carries. Battle 86 receiving on 6 catches. Vernon Davis 30 receiving on 2 catches. Bulger 155 passing on 32 attempts with a TD. Steven Jackson 92 rushing.

Personnel watch

Trent Dilfer's return to the starting role with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Frank Gore quiet (32 rushing). The 49ers' offense's zero touchdowns the year's first scoreless touchdown game (apart from the Seattle shutout). The kind of home loss where the year's core offensive failure became the day's lead story.

What it means

2-8 with the Cardinals on the road next Sunday for Thanksgiving week. The kind of home loss where the offensive identity, with Dilfer back as the starter, has officially produced the year's worst version. Mike Nolan's job security is the kind of late-November conversation that will dominate the rest of the season.