The San Francisco 49ers fell to a safety Sunday afternoon, putting them behind the St. Louis Rams 9-0 at the close of the first quarter. Newly starting quarterback Troy Smith fumbled a snap from the five-yard-line and was tackled in the end zone by Rams DE James Hall.
The safety continued a Rams-49ers game that has been so far all about mistakes. The Rams scored their first touchdown after a pass interference call brought them to the 49ers goal line, allowing Steven Jackson to plow forward for a touchdown, his sixth of the season.
The safety was set up by an illegally blocking penalty off a Donnie Jones punt that had already pinned the 49ers at their own six—moved to the three, they got to the 10 before a false start penalty brought them back to the five and set up the safety.
The Rams need a win against the 49ers to maintain their playoff hopes after a recent drop-off. The 49ers need to win out for the chance to join the ridiculous NFC West race.