Niners Up Intensity and Tame Jags

49ers get fifth win of the season

By LAURENCE SCOTT

Updated 7:15 PM EST, Sun, Nov 29, 2009

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In a virtual must-win, the 49ers beat Jacksonville 20-to-3 improving to 5-6 before two key games in the following two weeks against division foes.

49ers quarterback Alex Smith played an inspired game executing several gutsy calls by Offensive Coordinator Jimmy Raye. Smith threw for two first half touchdowns, the first a misdirection play that saw Vernon Davis alone in the end zone for his ninth score of the year (tying a 49ers record for TDs by a tight end in a single season). The second came with under a minute left in the half as Smith bought enough time on a roll out for Frank Gore to tip-toe the right side of the end zone for a four yard score.

The Jaguars Josh Scobee got three points on the board for Jacksonville as time expired in the first half with a 32-yard field goal. The Jaguars started the third quarter with a quick drive into 49ers territory and looked poised to score before Manny Lawson sacked Jags quarterback David Garrard forcing a fumble recovered by Justin Smith at the Niners' 27.

The following drive resulted in a 27-yard Joe Nedney field goal, his second of the day, extending the lead to 20-3 (a 46-yarder in the first quarter opened the scoring). Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky’s blitz packages harassed Garrard all day, but a fourth down Jaguars fumble forced by Parys Haralson on the first play of the fourth quarter helped seal the win.

San Francisco plays at Seattle next Sunday and then returns to Candlestick eight days later for a key match-up with division leading Arizona in a Monday night game.