Gore’s Run Gives 49ers the Edge Over Rams

So who needs Reggie Bush? The San Francisco 49ers got a pair of big runs from backups in a victory over the St. Louis Rams.

Frank Gore scored the deciding touchdown on a 30-yard run with 4 minutes 5 seconds to go, and seldom-used Maurice Hicks scored untouched on a 73-yarder on the game’s first snap in a 24-20 comeback victory over the Rams on Saturday in St. Louis. The combination of Hicks and Gore helped the 49ers rush for 217 yards without injured Kevan Barlow.

“It shows the heart of a 3-12 team,” Gore said. “I think any other team would have laid down.”

The 49ers ended a seven-game losing streak after entering the day tied for the fewest victories in the NFL. But they swept the Rams (5-10) for the first time since 1998, also beating them, 28-25, in the opener.

They also moved ahead of the Houston Texans (2-13) in the “race” for the first overall draft pick, presumably for Heisman Trophy winner Bush if the junior tailback leaves USC.

“The fans will talk about it,” Coach Mike Nolan said. “But I certainly don’t talk about it.”

Jamie Martin threw for a career-best 354 yards against a depleted 49er secondary and the Rams led, 20-7, late in the first half. They were mistake-prone the rest of the way, losing for the sixth time in seven games overall and their fourth straight time at home.

At 3-5, they finished with their first losing record at home since 1998. That’s also the last time they lost at home to the 49ers.

“I feel like we embarrassed the city of St. Louis,” wide receiver Isaac Bruce said. “Today wasn’t a good day for us.”

The game might have been the home finale for Marshall Faulk, who has been used sparingly this season. The team showed a highlight montage at the end of the game.

Faulk said he was undecided whether to retire, but it also might not be his decision. He caught nine passes for 44 yards and had three carries for five yards.

“This is a business and you’ve got to understand that,” Faulk said. “I always speak in business terms in this game, and I learned that when I was young.”

Miami 24, Tennessee 10 -- In his best performance since returning from a one-year retirement, Ricky Williams rushed for 172 yards at home and helped the Dolphins cap a perfect December.

The Dolphins (8-7), eliminated from playoff contention last week, have won five in a row for the first time since 1999. They went 4-0 in December under first-year Coach Nick Saban, finishing the month unbeaten for the first time in 20 years.

The Titans (4-11) matched last season’s loss total with one game left. They lost quarterback Steve McNair in the second quarter because of a strained chest muscle.

Denver 22, Oakland 3 -- Jake Plummer threw for 268 yards in Denver, Mike Anderson surpassed the 1,000-yard season mark and the Broncos clinched the AFC West and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

At kickoff, Denver (12-3) had already secured its first division title since 1998 thanks to San Diego’s 20-7 loss at Kansas City. Cincinnati’s loss to Buffalo gave the Broncos a chance to wrap up the second seeding in the AFC and the first-round bye in the playoffs that goes with it.

Kerry Collins was 17 for 41 for 178 yards for the Raiders (4-11) and threw a pass that was intercepted in the Denver end zone. The Oakland offense moved the ball at times but was overcome on almost every drive by untimely mistakes: illegal procedure, holding, dropped passes, receivers who slipped.

Arizona 27, Philadelphia 21 -- Josh McCown threw touchdown passes to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, and the Cardinals got a home win over the depleted Eagles.

Karlos Dansby returned an intercepted pass 11 yards for a score in the final game at what has been the Cardinals’ home in Tempe since the franchise moved from St. Louis in 1988.

The Cardinals (5-10) move to their $370-million stadium in the suburb of Glendale next fall. The loss guarantees Philadelphia (6-9) its first losing season since 1999.

Detroit 13, New Orleans 12 -- Jason Hanson rushed onto the field and kicked a 39-yard knuckleball field goal as the final seconds ticked off, giving the Lions (5-10) a victory in San Antonio.

New Orleans (3-12), which lost on a bizarre penalty and rekick on the final play two months ago against Atlanta, figured to have this one locked away when John Carney kicked his fourth field goal for a 12-10 lead with 1:52 left.

Joey Harrington, who had been benched twice this season, then connected with Roy Williams for two big completions on the Lions’ final drive. On the second, with about 13 seconds left, Williams caught the ball in the middle of the field.

The Lions, with no timeouts, had to hustle Hanson and the field goal unit onto the field. As the seconds ticked away, Hanson launched a low kick that knuckled through the uprights for the win.