2005 San Francisco 49ers season
Encyclopedia
The 2005 season was the 60th for the Niners overall, and 56th in the NFL. They were trying to improve on their 2-14 record from 2004
. Head Coach Dennis Erickson
had been fired just after the end of the 2004 season, and Mike Nolan
, son of former head coach Dick Nolan
, was at the reins.
, San Francisco, California
Sunday, September 11, 2005
In Mike Nolan
's debut as head coach, the 49ers beat divisional rival St. Louis Rams
. The 49ers were able to build a considerable lead in the 3rd quarter, however, their defense fell apart and allowed the Rams to score 16 straight points, including 13 in the 4th quarter. The Rams were poised to score again, but Michael Adams intercepted Marc Bulger
with 52 seconds left to seal the victory and start the season with a win.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins
30 yard field goal
2nd Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins 41 yard field goal
SF- Brandon Lloyd
35 yard pass from Tim Rattay
(Joe Nedney
kick)
SF- Otis Amey
75 yard punt return (Joe Nedney kick)
SF- Arnaz Battle
6 yard pass from Tim Rattay (Joe Nedney kick)
STL- Jeff Wilkins 33 yard field goal
3rd Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow
9 yard rush (Joe Nedney kick)
STL- Jeff Wilkins 41 yard field goal
4th Quarter
STL- Isaac Bruce
29 yard pass from Marc Bulger
(kick failed)
STL- Brandon Manumaleuna
6 yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick)
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The 49ers were handily beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles
as Donovan McNabb
threw five touchdown passes, four of which were in the first 19 minutes of the game. In Terrell Owens
' first game against his former team he had 143 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Alex Smith
made his regular season debut, playing the final possession and throwing one incomplete pass.This loss dropped the 49ers to 1-1.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
PHI- Terrell Owens
68 yard pass from Donovan McNabb
(David Akers
kick)
PHI- L.J. Smith
6 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick)
2nd Quarter
PHI- Terrell Owens 42 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick)
PHI- Brian Westbrook
2 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Mark Simoneau
kick)
3rd Quarter
SF- Joe Nedney 32 yard field goal
PHI- Greg Lewis 6 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick)
4th Quarter
PHI- Lamar Gordon
6 yard rush (David Akers kick)
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Arnaz Battle
15 yard pass from Tim Rattay
(Joe Nedney
kick)(SF 7-0)
at Azteca Stadium garnished the largest crowd in regular season history, with 103,467 fans in attendance. The 49ers started off well, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, but failed to score again. The Cardinals then began to dominate, scoring 31 consecutive points, including six field goals by Neil Rackers
. San Francisco's backup quarterback Alex Smith
was given the green light in the fourth quarter and threw six completions, including the first completed pass of his career.
's first NFL start, he threw four interceptions and was sacked five times. Aside from Kevan Barlow
, the 49ers offense failed to get comfortable and only managed a single field goal. This was the second straight week in which the 49ers' offense failed to score a touchdown. The loss to the undefeated Colts dropped the 49ers to 1-4, heading into their bye week.
tossed three touchdowns and Clinton Portis
rushed for three more, rolling up 448 total yards. The 49ers, who had not scored in the fourth quarter yet this season, grabbed ten points in the period.
scoring five of the game's six. In a statistically unimpressive game, San Francisco toppled the Buccaneers
, who, prior to the game, had the best record in the NFC. With the victory, the 49ers snapped a five game losing streak to grab their second win of the season. Buccaneers receiver Joey Galloway
caught his 500th reception of his career. The win brought the 49ers up to 2-5 on the season.
.
. However, the game turned in the Bears' favor when Nathan Vasher
ran back an attempted field goal 108 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers came within 5 point during the fourth quarter, but the high winds made it difficult to pass the ball. This, combined with a fumbled punt, doomed the 49ers to their seventh loss of the season, dropping them to 2-7.
kicked a career-high four field goals. The Titans managed to score two touchdowns in a span of only 80 seconds. The game wasn't as close as the final score would suggest, as the Titans forced four turnovers and Steve McNair
threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers lost their 9th game, dooming them to a losing season.
kept the 49ers in the game, eventually the poor performance by the defense succumbed. The Cardinals took the lead for good with a 54-yard touchdown reception by Anquan Boldin
in a third-and-twenty situation. Being swept by the Cardinals this season, the 49ers fell to 2-10 with the loss.
rush for 108 yards, his ninth consecutive divisional game to rush for more than 100 yards, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck
threw for four touchdowns. The 49ers' offense couldn't get going, managing only 113 total yards and fumbling three times. With the victory, the Seahawks completed the division perfectly, 6-0, and gained a two-game lead for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
. The 49ers had opportunities to take the lead, but were unable to get any first downs in the fourth quarter and a fourth down, game-ending, desperation heave from Alex Smith
fell harmlessly to the ground. The 49ers fell to 2-12 with their seventh straight loss.
and Frank Gore
, who combined for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Rams lead for most of the game, but the 49ers scored 17 unanswered points and the defense held the Rams scoreless in the second half. The game was only decided in the final minute when Ben Emanuel
intercepted a pass at the San Francisco 19-yard line. With the victory, the 49ers moved up to 3-12.
kicked a 33-yard field goal for the win. This marked the only time the 49ers won two consecutive games this season. Moreover, the loss gave the Texans the first overall draft pick and moved the 49ers from second overall to sixth. The 49ers finished the season 4-12.
2004 NFL season
The 2004 NFL season was the 85th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 9, 2004 to January 2, 2005...
. Head Coach Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
had been fired just after the end of the 2004 season, and Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan is an American football coach and the current defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins...
, son of former head coach Dick Nolan
Dick Nolan
Richard Nolan is a Minnesota politician.Richard Nolan may also refer to*Dick Nolan , American football player, father of Mike Nolan, former head coach of San Francisco 49ers...
, was at the reins.
Week 1: vs. St. Louis Rams
at Monster ParkMonster Park
Candlestick Park is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in San Francisco, California, in the Bayview Heights area. The stadium was originally built as the home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, who played there from 1960 until moving into Pacific Bell Park in 2000...
, San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Sunday, September 11, 2005
In Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan is an American football coach and the current defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins...
's debut as head coach, the 49ers beat divisional rival St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. The 49ers were able to build a considerable lead in the 3rd quarter, however, their defense fell apart and allowed the Rams to score 16 straight points, including 13 in the 4th quarter. The Rams were poised to score again, but Michael Adams intercepted Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger
Marc Robert Bulger [] is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
with 52 seconds left to seal the victory and start the season with a win.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins
Jeff Wilkins
For the American basketball player, see Jeff Wilkins .Jeffrey Allen Wilkins nicknamed "Money" is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and St Louis Rams. He played college football at Youngstown State University...
30 yard field goal
2nd Quarter
STL- Jeff Wilkins 41 yard field goal
SF- Brandon Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd
Brandon Matthew Lloyd is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
35 yard pass from Tim Rattay
Tim Rattay
Timothy F. Rattay [] is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
(Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
kick)
SF- Otis Amey
Otis Amey
Fred Otis Holmes Amey is a professional American and Canadian football wide receiver for the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
75 yard punt return (Joe Nedney kick)
SF- Arnaz Battle
Arnaz Battle
Arnaz Jerome Battle is an American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
6 yard pass from Tim Rattay (Joe Nedney kick)
STL- Jeff Wilkins 33 yard field goal
3rd Quarter
SF- Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
9 yard rush (Joe Nedney kick)
STL- Jeff Wilkins 41 yard field goal
4th Quarter
STL- Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce
Isaac Isidore Bruce is a retired American football wide receiver. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Memphis....
29 yard pass from Marc Bulger
Marc Bulger
Marc Robert Bulger [] is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
(kick failed)
STL- Brandon Manumaleuna
Brandon Manumaleuna
-St. Louis Rams:Manumaleuna was selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He signed with the team on June 21, 2001. He agreed to a three-year $1.15 million contract including a $255,000 signing bonus. In 2001, Manumaleuna only had one reception on the season...
6 yard pass from Marc Bulger (Jeff Wilkins kick)
Week 2: at Philadelphia Eagles
at Lincoln Financial FieldLincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The 49ers were handily beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
as Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
threw five touchdown passes, four of which were in the first 19 minutes of the game. In Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
' first game against his former team he had 143 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
made his regular season debut, playing the final possession and throwing one incomplete pass.This loss dropped the 49ers to 1-1.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
PHI- Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
68 yard pass from Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb
Donovan Jamal McNabb is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback from 1999 to 2009 and spent the 2010 season with the Washington Redskins and a portion of the 2011 season with the Minnesota Vikings. In college, McNabb played...
(David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
kick)
PHI- L.J. Smith
L.J. Smith
John Smith III , commonly known as L.J., which stands for "Little John", is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
6 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick)
2nd Quarter
PHI- Terrell Owens 42 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick)
PHI- Brian Westbrook
Brian Westbrook
Brian Collins Westbrook is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football at Villanova...
2 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (Mark Simoneau
Mark Simoneau
Mark Lee Simoneau is a former American football linebacker who played for ten seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Kansas State and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played for the Falcons from 2000–2002, before he was...
kick)
3rd Quarter
SF- Joe Nedney 32 yard field goal
PHI- Greg Lewis 6 yard pass from Donovan McNabb (David Akers kick)
4th Quarter
PHI- Lamar Gordon
Lamar Gordon
-Miami Dolphins:In 2004 Gordon was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a third round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.-References:...
6 yard rush (David Akers kick)
Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys
The rivalry between the 49ers and the Cowboys continued in traditional high-scoring fashion. The 49ers maintained the lead for the majority of the game, however, their defense fell apart in the final quarter as they allowed the Cowboys to score fifteen consecutive points while the offense failed to put a single point on the board. The loss dropped the 49ers to 1-2 to start the season.Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
SF- Arnaz Battle
Arnaz Battle
Arnaz Jerome Battle is an American football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
15 yard pass from Tim Rattay
Tim Rattay
Timothy F. Rattay [] is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
(Joe Nedney
Joe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
kick)(SF 7-0)
Week 4: at Arizona Cardinals
A game played in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
at Azteca Stadium garnished the largest crowd in regular season history, with 103,467 fans in attendance. The 49ers started off well, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, but failed to score again. The Cardinals then began to dominate, scoring 31 consecutive points, including six field goals by Neil Rackers
Neil Rackers
Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
. San Francisco's backup quarterback Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
was given the green light in the fourth quarter and threw six completions, including the first completed pass of his career.
Week 5: vs. Indianapolis Colts
In Alex SmithAlex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
's first NFL start, he threw four interceptions and was sacked five times. Aside from Kevan Barlow
Kevan Barlow
Kevan C. Barlow is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, the 49ers offense failed to get comfortable and only managed a single field goal. This was the second straight week in which the 49ers' offense failed to score a touchdown. The loss to the undefeated Colts dropped the 49ers to 1-4, heading into their bye week.
Week 7: at Washington Redskins
The 49ers lost for the fifth straight time after opening the season with a win when they lost lopsidely 52-17 to the Redskins. San Francisco could do nothing right, with Alex Smith getting sacked five times, losing a fumble, and throwing an interception. On the other side of the ball, the Redskins quarterback Mark BrunellMark Brunell
Mark Allen Brunell is an American football quarterback who currently plays for the New York Jets. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington....
tossed three touchdowns and Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
rushed for three more, rolling up 448 total yards. The 49ers, who had not scored in the fourth quarter yet this season, grabbed ten points in the period.
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In a game in which both starting quarterbacks were out due to injuries, field goals were the norm: the 49ers' Joe NedneyJoe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
scoring five of the game's six. In a statistically unimpressive game, San Francisco toppled the Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, who, prior to the game, had the best record in the NFC. With the victory, the 49ers snapped a five game losing streak to grab their second win of the season. Buccaneers receiver Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
caught his 500th reception of his career. The win brought the 49ers up to 2-5 on the season.
Week 9: vs. New York Giants
For the second straight game, the 49ers failed to score a touchdown, this time managing only two field goals in the loss. Even while the Giants' offense struggled at times, their defense shut the 49ers down, preventing the 49ers from capitalizing on Giants' mistakes, such as allowing the 49ers four first downs on penalties. In a rare error, the 49ers only had 10 players on the field for the first play of the game, a 28 yard catch by Jeremy ShockeyJeremy Shockey
Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...
.
Week 10: at Chicago Bears
After a scoreless first quarter, the 49ers took a three point lead in the second quarter off a field goal by Joe NedneyJoe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
. However, the game turned in the Bears' favor when Nathan Vasher
Nathan Vasher
Nathaniel DeWayne Vasher is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
ran back an attempted field goal 108 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers came within 5 point during the fourth quarter, but the high winds made it difficult to pass the ball. This, combined with a fumbled punt, doomed the 49ers to their seventh loss of the season, dropping them to 2-7.
Week 11: vs. Seattle Seahawks
In a shootout, the 49ers nearly came back from a fifteen point deficit by scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. However, the 49ers failed to score on a two-point conversion with under 30 seconds in the game that would have tied it and likely sent it into overtime. In the course of the game, the 49ers scored their first touchdown at home in sixteen quarters and also snapped a streak of 47 possessions without a touchdown. The eighth loss in nine games dropped the 49ers to 2-8.Week 12: at Tennessee Titans
The Titans snapped a five-game losing streak and the 49ers extended theirs to four as Titans kicker Rob BironasRob Bironas
James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
kicked a career-high four field goals. The Titans managed to score two touchdowns in a span of only 80 seconds. The game wasn't as close as the final score would suggest, as the Titans forced four turnovers and Steve McNair
Steve McNair
Stephen LaTreal McNair was an American football quarterback who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans....
threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers lost their 9th game, dooming them to a losing season.
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
In their fifth loss in as many games (the 49ers' second five-game losing streak), the 49ers fell to the division rival Cardinals. Although two interceptions from quarterback Kurt WarnerKurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
kept the 49ers in the game, eventually the poor performance by the defense succumbed. The Cardinals took the lead for good with a 54-yard touchdown reception by Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
in a third-and-twenty situation. Being swept by the Cardinals this season, the 49ers fell to 2-10 with the loss.
Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks
The 49ers were dominated in their six straight loss as they fell to 2-11. Not only did Shaun AlexanderShaun Alexander
Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
rush for 108 yards, his ninth consecutive divisional game to rush for more than 100 yards, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck
Matt Hasselbeck
Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...
threw for four touchdowns. The 49ers' offense couldn't get going, managing only 113 total yards and fumbling three times. With the victory, the Seahawks completed the division perfectly, 6-0, and gained a two-game lead for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars
In a back-and-forth game, the Jaguars emerged victorious and clinched a playoff berth at 10-4. The 49ers offense failed to score a touchdown, as they only managed three field goals by Joe NedneyJoe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
. The 49ers had opportunities to take the lead, but were unable to get any first downs in the fourth quarter and a fourth down, game-ending, desperation heave from Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
fell harmlessly to the ground. The 49ers fell to 2-12 with their seventh straight loss.
Week 16: at St. Louis Rams
The 49ers broke their seven-game losing streak with a big performance from their running backs, Maurice HicksMaurice Hicks
Maurice Hicks is an American football running back for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
and Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
, who combined for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Rams lead for most of the game, but the 49ers scored 17 unanswered points and the defense held the Rams scoreless in the second half. The game was only decided in the final minute when Ben Emanuel
Ben Emanuel
Benjamin F. Emanuel is a football free safety who is currently a free agent. He went to UCLA. He attended Clear Brook High School.-Pro career:...
intercepted a pass at the San Francisco 19-yard line. With the victory, the 49ers moved up to 3-12.
Week 17: vs. Houston Texans
The final game of the season for the 49ers, in which the number one draft pick was on the line, was a thriller. The two teams scored back-and-forth with the lead never greater than 7 points. The game went into overtime tied at 17, and Joe NedneyJoe Nedney
Joseph Thomas Nedney is an American football placekicker who is currently a free agent. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Nedney played college football at San Jose State and signed as an undrafted player with the Miami Dolphins in 1996...
kicked a 33-yard field goal for the win. This marked the only time the 49ers won two consecutive games this season. Moreover, the loss gave the Texans the first overall draft pick and moved the 49ers from second overall to sixth. The 49ers finished the season 4-12.