Rice and Watters Are Cookin’ Again : NFC: They play key roles in 49ers’ 28-14 victory over Cardinals.

Finally, Jerry Rice and Ricky Watters got their hands on the ball enough times to make a difference.

Rice had two touchdown catches and Watters added a touchdown run Sunday as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Phoenix Cardinals, 28-14.

Both Watters and Rice had clamored for the ball in recent weeks, saying they felt left out of the offense. That wasn’t the case Sunday.

“This was a team win all the way,” Watters said. “I felt love out there, man! I don’t care what anybody says. I felt love when I scored that touchdown. Jerry was the first guy out there (to offer congratulations).”

Rice, with one touchdown catch in his previous five games, caught nine passes for 155 yards. It was his 40th 100-yard receiving game, but his first this season.

Watters gained 95 yards in 20 carries after rushing for 40 yards in 17 carries in his past two games.

Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan said: “Going in we knew we were going to get the ball to Ricky a lot. Being able to get it to Jerry as much was a bonus. It’s nothing vindictive, what they say. They’re just trying to contribute. We’d like to get the ball to Jerry every down. The coverages don’t allow us to do that.”

San Francisco’s defense also had a big hand in the victory.

Cornerbacks Merton Hanks and Eric Davis and strong safety Tim McDonald, making his first appearance against his former team since coming to San Francisco as a free agent, each had an interception against Steve Beuerlein.

Phoenix (2-5) didn’t score until Beuerlein connected with Anthony Edwards on a 65-yard scoring pass play with 9:18 left. He added a four-yard scoring pass to Ricky Proehl with 3:36 to play.

Beuerlein completed 26 of 50 passes for 334 yards.

Steve Young of the 49ers (4-3) completed 21 of 34 for 247 yards.