Week 1 Game Recap: St. Louis Rams 25, San Francisco 49ers 28

What you need to know

St. Louis Rams

Marc Bulger put up some big fantasy numbers for owners this week but found it difficult to find the end zone until the fourth quarter. Bulger completed 34 of 56 attempts for 362 yards and two touchdowns in a come from behind effort that fell short for the Rams.

The Rams started the game backed to their endzone due to KR Chris Johnson, who was playing for injured KR Aveion Cason, stepped out of bounds at the one yard line on the opening kickoff. Coach Martz balanced the play calling with Bulger and Steven Jackson sharing the load on what appeared to be a successful 13 play drive leading the Rams into 49ers’ territory. But Bulger could not find an open receiver on third and five and was sacked, forcing the Rams to punt.

St. Louis dominated the game statistically with 405 total yards to the 49ers 205 total yards. The Rams also had a huge advantage in first downs with a total of 26 while the 49ers managed just 12. And lastly, the Rams held the ball for over 39 minutes in time of possession. Unfortunately for the Rams, this was one of those games when the statistics were meaningless to the outcome of the game.

Torry Holt had ten receptions in the game for 125 yards but unfortunately for his owners, did not find the end zone. Holt did have one target in the end zone late in the third quarter but Bulger overthrew the pass.

San Francisco 49ers

Coach Mike Nolan had a successful debut to his NFL coaching career as QB Tim Rattay threw for two touchdowns in the first half and the 49ers’ defense did not break and held off a late rally from the St. Louis Rams.

Tim Rattay did not put up dazzling numbers like Bulger but he was able to recover from a sack and fumble on the 49ers’ second play from scrimmage and played mistake free for the remainder of the game. Rattay finished the game with just 11 completions on 16 attempts for 165 yards but avoided an interception - something that plagued him last season.

Defense played a key role in the 49ers’ victory over the Rams. The change from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense for the 2005 season appears to have rejuvenated DE Bryant Young and the entire 49ers’ defense. Young had three sacks in the first half of the game equaling his total for the entire 2004 season. In addition LB Julian Peterson, who is returning from a torn Achilles’ tendon last season, appears healthy and contributed with two sacks in the second half.

On special teams, Rookie Otis Amey, who until this week went by his first name Fred, made his debut a success with a 75 yard punt return for a touchdown. Amey’s return for the touchdown really put the momentum in favor of the 49ers and extended the lead to 14-6.

What you ought to know

QB Marc Bulger, Pass: 34 - 56 - 362 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 8 - 0

Bulger had a great game statistically, but found himself under pressure often from the 49ers’ pass rush throughout most of the game. Bulger completed 34 of 56 attempts for 362 yards and two touchdowns in a come from behind effort that fell short. He was successful in spreading the ball around during the game as he connected with nine different receivers. Bulger was not able to find the end zone until the fourth quarter when he found a wide open Isaac Bruce for a 29 yard touchdown pass. Later in the fourth quarter, Bulger orchestrated a 19 play drive for 78 yards that was capped by a six yard scoring pass to TE Brandon Manumaleuna on fourth down. Bulger had one last chance to put the Rams in position to tie or win the game with less than a minute to play but he threw behind his intended receiver Isaac Bruce and the pass was intercepted.

RB Steven Jackson, Rush: 19 - 60 - 0, Rec: 3 - 13 - 0 (4 targets)

Jackson started the game running hard, breaking tackles and bouncing outside for positive yardage but never seemed to find a rhythm after the first quarter. On the first drive for the Rams, Jackson rushed seven times for 36 yards but things went down hill from that point on during the game. Jackson had less than 20 yards in the second half and finished with 60 yards rushing for the game as the Rams attempted to comeback through the passing game. Jackson did attempt a two point conversion after the Rams’ first touchdown in the fourth quarter but was stopped well short of the goal line. Jackson caught three passes out of the backfield for 13 yards with one of the receptions going for a five yard loss.

RB Marshall Faulk, Rush: 3 - 12 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (3 targets)

Faulk saw most of his action on third down passing situations for the Rams. His carries all came in the second half with one of those going for 14 yards. However, his other carries were for a loss or no gain.

WR Torry Holt, Rec: 10 - 125 - 0 (16 targets)

Holt saw the most targets from Bulger and made the most of it with ten receptions for 125 yards. He had four catches over 15 yards in the game with the longest a 44 yard grab in the second quarter that set up a field goal. Holt did have one target in the end zone late in the third quarter but the pass was overthrown by Bulger.

WR Shaun McDonald, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0, Rec: 7 - 73 - 0 (10 targets)

McDonald received a lot of playing time and a lot of targets from Bulger in the game. He finished the game with seven receptions for 73 yards with one endzone target in the fourth quarter. McDonald also had an end around play that went for a seven yard gain.

WR Kevin Curtis, Rec: 7 - 63 - 0 (14 targets)

Curtis had a very good game as the Rams third receiver with seven receptions for 63 yards. He got a lot of looks from Bulger and came up big as three of his seven catches were for first downs. Curtis had three endzone targets from Bulger in the game but each were overthrown or deflected by a 49er.

WR Isaac Bruce, Rec: 3 - 61 - 1 (6 targets)

Bruce had a nice game for the Rams with 61 yards on just three receptions. He scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 29 yard pass from Bulger. On the play, Bruce beat the defenders with a fake to the inside then broke outside turning the safety around leaving him wide open on his way to the corner of the endzone. Bruce was also an endzone target in the second quarter but the pass was defended by the 49ers. It’s been heading this direction for a while, but it was abundantly clear that he’s a secondary target in this offense.

WR Dane Looker, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets)

Looker was not really a factor in the game and caught his only pass of the game in the second quarter for a five yard gain.

TE Brandon Manumaleuna, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 1 (1 targets)

Manumaleuna had a six yard touchdown catch with just over two minutes left in the game. Manumaleuna was wide open as Bulger threw to his left and with a blocker in front, he managed to score easily. He also had one carry in the game as he lined up at fullback on a fourth and one in third quarter.

TE Roland Williams, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets)

Williams caught his only pass of the game in the first quarter that went for 11 yards. The catch was significant for Williams since it was his first catch since the 2002 season.

PK Jeff Wilkins 4 - 4 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 13 points

Wilkins was perfect on the day connecting on all four field goal attempts and his only extra point attempt. Wilkins field goal attempts were from 30, 41, 33 and 41.

STL Rush Defense

The Rams held the 49ers to just one yard rushing in the first half on a mere seven attempts. The rush defense held Kevan Barlow to 22 yards rushing in the game and a 1.6 yard average. Barlow was able to score on a nine yard run in the third quarter.

STL Pass Defense

The Rams allowed just 165 yards passing in the game to Tim Rattay although they gave up two touchdown passes from Rattay in the second quarter. DE Leonard Little had two sacks in the game and a forced fumble.

QB Tim Rattay, Pass: 11 - 16 - 165 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0

Rattay was very efficient and effective in leading the 49ers to a victory. Although he only completed 11 passes in the game for 165 yards, Rattay did not make the same costly mistakes that haunted him last season. After a fumble on the 49ers’ first possession, Rattay settled down and gained confidence as the game continued. Rattay had two touchdown passes in the game; his first was a 35 yard strike to WR Brandon Lloyd in double coverage, the second a six yard pass to WR Arnaz Battle over the middle. Rattay threw for just 63 yards in the second half as the 49ers held on for the win.

RB Kevan Barlow, Rush: 14 - 22 - 1, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets)

Barlow did not have a productive game with just 22 yards rushing and 17 yards receiving. He was able to salvage some points for owners when he scored on the 49ers first possession of the second half on a nine yard draw play up the middle from the shotgun formation. Barlow did have one lost fumble in the game to add to his poor rushing performance.

RB Frank Gore, Rush: 4 - 17 - 0, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (2 targets)

Rookie Frank Gore saw all four of his carries in the second half. Gore managed 17 yards and provided a different look in the backfield for the 49ers. Gore also caught two passes out of the backfield including an 18 yard gain that help set up Barlow’s touchdown.

WR Arnaz Battle, Pass: 2 - 2 - 27 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - -3 - 0, Rec: 5 - 59 - 1 (6 targets)

Battle was very versatile for the 49ers, catching passes, throwing passes and running the ball as Coach Mike Nolan tried a few trick plays in the game. Battle caught his first career touchdown pass in the second quarter on a six yard strike over the middle from Tim Rattay. Battle had two pass completions in the game on two attempts for 27 yards. Battle took a lateral pass from Rattay and connected with WR Brandon Lloyd for a 24 yard gain. He also lined up at QB for a play in the second quarter and threw a pass to RB Frank Gore for three yards.

WR Brandon Lloyd, Rec: 3 - 65 - 1 (6 targets)

Lloyd came up big for the 49ers on their first scoring drive in the second quarter with consecutive catches of 24 yards and 35 yards. On the second of his catches, Lloyd managed to haul in the pass from Rattay in double coverage in the endzone.

WR Johnnie Morton, Rec: 1 - 30 - 0 (1 targets)

Morton had just one catch in the game for a 30 yard gain. Unfortunately for Morton, he took a hard hit from the Rams’ defender as he leaped to make the catch and needed assistance leaving the field. The report from the 49ers was he had suffered a concussion but is expected to be ready for the game next week.

WR Otis Amey (1 targets)

Amey was not a factor at the wide receiver position but did score on a 75 yard punt return that sparked the 49ers’ team.

TE Steve Bush (1 targets)

Bush was playing for injured TE Eric Johnson but was not a factor in the game.

PK Joe Nedney 0 - 0 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 4 points

Nedney was perfect on the day making all four extra point attempts.

SF Rush Defense

The 49ers’ rush defense was solid throughout holding RB Steven Jackson to 60 yards in the game and the Rams to a total of 89 yards. The 49ers’ defense was penalized just twice in the game.

SF Pass Defense

Although looking at the statistics the 49ers’ pass defense gave up well over 300 yards passing and two touchdown passes from Marc Bulger but somehow came up with a key stop when they needed it. The pass rush was relentless on Bulger and managed a total of seven sacks in the game. Safety Mike Adams sealed the 49ers’ victory as he intercepted a pass with 52 seconds remaining in the game and the Rams in 49ers’ territory.