The 49ers recorded their first shutout since the final game of the 2001 season. But there was not the feeling that the team was fully content with the accomplishment, a 35-0 victory, over the winless Rams.
The defense and special teams played very well, to be sure. The defense pitched the shutout and scored touchdowns on Patrick Willis’ interception return and Ray McDonald’s fumble return. Special teams came through with a TD, too. Rookie Scott McKillop pounced on a muffed punt in the end zone.
The 49ers led just 7-0 at halftime after McKillop’s score.
QB Shaun Hill had some words to say at halftime on the topic of the 49ers playing the kind of game that coach Mike Singletary outlined for the team. By all accounts, Singletary did not say much – did not have to say much – because the team is starting to take ownership of his message.
The offense managed just two touchdowns. Hill threw touchdown passes to Vernon Davis (13 yards) and Josh Morgan (24 yards).
The offensive line was not pleased with their performance today against the Rams. Glen Coffee gained just 74 yards on 24 carries (3.1 average), and Hill was sacked four times.
“We’re not excited just because we won,” 49ers tackle Joe Staley said. “We know we have a lot of work to do.”
Said Singletary, “When it’s all said and done, our offensive line will be one of the best lines in the league. I think sometimes we just cheat ourselves out of what we can be. We just have to take it to the next level and I know they will.”
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Singletary said he wanted to have an extra linebacker in uniform, so the 49ers de-activated Allen Rossum and Micheal Spurlock. Arnaz Battle struggled on punt returns with two fumbles (no turnovers).
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INJURY REPORT
CB Dre’ Bly (left elbow contusion), LB Marques Harris (left hamstring) and LB Jeff Ulbrich (concussion). LB Manny Lawson (nose) and S Dashon Goldson (got wind knocked out of him) both left the game briefly but returned. None of the injuries is expected to result in any significant time missed.
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