SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers have a new Mr. Reliable on offense - and the same 'ol one on defense.
Tight end Vernon Davis caught a 13-yard pass for his third touchdown in two weeks, Patrick Willis returned an interception 23 yards for a score and the 49ers overcame the absence of star running back Frank Gore with a 35-0 rout of the winless St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
The 49ers (3-1) scored in every way to take command of the NFC West after already beating reigning division champion Arizona and Seattle, recording their first shutout in 119 games since Jan. 6, 2002, 38-0 at New Orleans.
The Rams (0-4) lost their 14th straight, the longest skid in the NFL. St. Louis was blanked for the second time after losing 28-0 to the Seahawks in the season opener.
