Ray Maldonado, NFC West Analyst 

San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams

The San Francisco 49ers are on the verge of being the first team since the
2006 Panthers and the 2006 Packers to miss the playoffs after going 5-1 in
their division. Going back into Week 4, the Niners shut out the Rams in
SF, 35-0. Mike Singletary is trying to become the first coach since 2002
to have a non losing season in San Francisco. With Frank Gore going up
against the St. Louis defense which is ranked 27th allowing 138.4 yards a
game on the ground, the 49ers are in good position to finish 8-8. Vernon
Davis is second only to Randy Moss in touchdown receptions and can become
the first tight end in NFL history to lead the league, Alex Smith must
take advantage of a Rams team that has allowed back to back 300 yard
passing games.

The St. Louis Rams need a Lions win or a loss to the 49ers to clinch the
number 1 overall pick. Despite dealing with a back injury, Steven Jackson
made the Pro Bowl for the second time in is career. Jackson has been the
Rams only legitimate weapon this year and has rushed for over 1,000 yards
for a franchise record fifth straight season and on defense James
Laurinaitis leads all rookies with 102 tackles. Keith Null has started the
previous 3 games and hasn’t set the world on fire, he has committed 10
turnovers including 9 interceptions but has very few weapons at wide
receiver to turn to. The 49ers defense will play eight men in the box and
dare Null to beat them. The Niners are still playing for something and the
Rams seem to already have one foot out the door.

Prediction: 49ers 26, Rams 7

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