49ers clinch NFC West title with 26-0 win over Rams

BOX SCORE
SAN FRANCISCO -- The 49ers clinched the NFC West on Sunday with a dominating defensive performance in a 26-0 victory over the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park.It's the 49ers first division title since 2002, and guarantees the club at least one home playoff game.And the 49ers (10-2) did most of it without linebacker Patrick Willis, who left the game with a right hamstring strain in the first quarter. The injury is not expected to be serious, but the 49ers will take the cautious approach to risk Willis aggravating the injury.The 49ers held Rams running back Steven Jackson in check and put the clamps on backup quarterback A.J. Feeley, who got the start in place of injured Sam Bradford.The 49ers moved the ball well, but could not punch it into the end zone in the first half. The 49ers finally broke through with Alex Smith's 52-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree in the third quarter.The 49ers added another long touchdown pass at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Kyle Williams took a pass and sprinted through the Rams defense for a 56-yard touchdown -- the 49ers' longest pass play of the season.Smith completed 17 of 23 passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 142.3.--The 49ers rested receiver Braylon Edwards, who has been battling knee and shoulder ailments. Edwards intimated last week that it might be wise for him to take some time off to ensure that he's healthy for the start of the playoffs.--Running back Frank Gore entered the game in need of 22 yards rushing to set the 49ers' official all-time rushing record. Gore picked up those yards on his seventh carry of the game to eclipse the 7,323 yards Joe "The Jet" Perry gained in his 12 seasons with the 49ers after the club moved from the All-America Football Conference to the NFL.--The 49ers did not appear to lose much with Larry Grant taking over for Willis. Grant, formerly of the Rams, recorded a sack and also played well in the run game.--The 49ers have gone four games without a first-half touchdown. Through halftime, the 49ers scored just two touchdowns on their past 10 trips to the end zone.--Because of the 49ers' ongoing inability to score touchdowns in the red zone, kicker David Akers has already set a franchise record for most field goals in a season. Akers kicked three field goals in the first half, giving him 31 for the season. Jeff Wilkins held the previous 49ers record with 30 field goals in 1996.--Tight end Vernon Davis had an easy touchdown catch slip through his hands as as he failed to hold onto Smith's perfectly thrown 40-yard pass in the end zone.--One game could easily be written off as an anomaly. But, again, the 49ers' pass protection was not great. One game after allowing nine sacks against the Baltimore Ravens, the Rams sacked Alex Smith three times in the first half. Right tackle Anthony Davis, in particular, struggled against Rams defensive end Chris Long.