RAMS HOST 49ERS IN SEASON FINALE
Sunday, January 3, 2010, Edward Jones Dome, Noon (CST)

The Rams host the San Francisco 49ers this week at the Edward
Jones Dome for the 2009-10 season finale. This week’s contest is the second of two meetings this season between the NFC West rivals as the Rams traveled to play the 49ers at Candlestick Park in Week 4 (10/4).

The Rams have faced the 49ers more than any other franchise and this game will be the 121st meeting (regular season and postseason) between the franchises. The series dates to 1950, San Francisco’s first year in the NFL. The Rams lead the all-time series 60-58-2. The teams have met twice each year since the series inception, including three meetings in 1989, the third being in the NFC Championship game.

The series began on Oct. 1, 1950, and the Rams opened by winning five of the first six games. In the 1951 and 1952 seasons, the teams played in back-to-back weeks. From 1968-1980, the Rams won 22 times, losing just four, with one tie, with winning streaks of nine and 10 games. From 1981 until the first meeting in 1990, San Francisco won 13 of 20 meetings, including the 1989 NFC Championship game, 30-3. The 49ers won 17 consecutive games from 1990-98. The Rams ended the streak in 1999 en route to sweeping the 49ers for the first time since 1980.

The 49ers enter this week’s game with a 7-8 record after a 20-6 victory over Detroit last Sunday. The Rams are coming off a defeat at Arizona last week. Rookie QB Keith Null started his third consecutive game and the Rams were without leading rusher RB Steven Jackson. Rookie WR Brandon Gibson scored his first career touchdown on a leaping grab in the back of the end zone. RB Kenneth Darby and rookie Chris Ogbonnaya shared Jackson’s duties. LB James Laurinaitis has led the Rams on defense and is poised to become only the second rookie in Rams history to lead the Rams in tackles.

Passing

K. Boller
Rams
876 yards

Rushing

S. Jackson
Rams
1353 yards

Receiving

D. Avery
Rams
566 yards

Passing

A. Smith
49ers
2128 yards

Rushing

F. Gore
49ers
1013 yards

Receiving

V. Davis
49ers
876 yards

St. Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson was named to the NFC’s 2010 Pro Bowl team. Jackson will be invited to play in the Pro Bowl, the NFL’s all-star game, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Fla. on Jan. 31.

Jackson earned the Pro Bowl berth in a vote by NFL players, coaches and fans. This season, Jackson ranks second in the NFL and first in the NFC with 1,353 rushing yards. His 1,675 total yards from scrimmage rank fifth in the NFL and second in the NFC. He has added four rushing touchdowns. Jackson has played in 14 of 15 games for the Rams this season despite dealing with a back injury.

“I am humbled the fans, coaches, and my fellow players voted me to the Pro Bowl this year,” said Jackson. “The coaches, offensive line, tight ends, fullbacks, wide receivers and quarterbacks worked hard to have a productive running game this season and this nomination is a testament to that hard work.”

Jackson has rushed for 100 yards in a career-high seven games and has produced 100 or more total yards from scrimmage in 11 games. With a 116-yard rushing performance in Week 11 vs. Arizona (11/22), Jackson passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season and became the only back in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons.

The Pro Bowl selection is the second for Jackson in his six-year career. Jackson earned an invitation to the 2007 Pro Bowl game after a career year in 2006. That season, Jackson rushed for a career-high 1,528 yards and produced 2,334 total yards from scrimmage, the fifth-highest single-season total in NFL history.

The Rams will celebrate their fans at this week’s season finale vs.
San Francisco (1/3). Throughout the game, the team will be recognizing randomly selected season ticket holders with giveaways
including tickets to the 2010 Super Bowl, game worn jerseys, autographed merchandise, roundtrip airline tickets and home entertainment packages.

Other highlights for randomly selected season ticket holders will
include pregame field visits, fans joining the cheerleaders on the field to form a fan tunnel during player introductions and the opportunity to enjoy brunch in the Rams Club. Members of the Rams Kid Club have also been invited to stand with the players on the sidelines for the singing of the National Anthem. In addition, Rams’ players and alumni will visit fans in the Bud Light Party Zone and Rams Club at various points throughout the game.

All Rams merchandise will be at least 50 percent off at retail stands
located throughout the Edward Jones Dome and discounted concessions will include: 32 ounce sodas for $1.50, popcorn cups for $1, Rams’ dogs for $2 and jumbo dogs for $3. Upon exit, all fans will receive a Rams poster.

"As an organization, we are focusing on treating every day as fan
appreciation day,” said Kevin Demoff, executive vice president of
football operations/chief operating officer. “However, I think every
year at the end of the season, we need to recognize the fans who
have passionately stood by this team since we've moved here. It's a chance for anybody who is a fan of the Rams to really come and get a feel for the changes this organization has made and for us to foreshadow the efforts we are going to make in 2010. The goal is to thank the fans for what they have given us all year and to reward them for their persistence and their loyalty."

Tickets are still available for Sunday’s game by calling 314-RAMSTIX.

4th Quarter

- The Rams got just what they needed to open the fourth quarter after the defense got a stop and Amendola broke off a 56-yard punt return to San Francisco’s 19.

- The Rams couldn’t pick up a first down, though, and settled for a 29-yard field goal from Brown to make it 7-6 San Francisco with 9:11 left in the game.

- San Francisco struck right back with the biggest play of the day as Smith hit Vernon Davis for a 73-yard touchdown down the right sideline. That score made it 14-6 49ers with 7:29 to go.

- After getting a stop, the 49ers again moved quickly, as Smith hit Crabtree for a gain of 38 yards to set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Gore. That made it 21-6 San Francisco with 4:05 to play.

- The Rams finally got a first down but that was the end of it and the Rams gave it back to the 49ers at the Rams’ 27.

- Gore scored again on the next possession from 6 yards out to make it 28-6 with 2:16 to go.

- That would do it for the scoring and San Francisco walks away with a 28-6 win.

3rd Quarter

- Both teams opened the second half with more three and outs and Jones again boomed a 57-yard punt that forced San Francisco to start from its 17.

- The 49ers got it going on that possession as Frank Gore imposed his will. He broke a 34-yard run and followed it with a 22-yard catch and run to the Rams’ 3.

- Fullback Moran Norris scored from 1 yard out two plays later to give San Francisco a 7-3 lead with 7:58 to go in the quarter.

- The Rams again went three and out and punted.

- San Francisco drove into Rams territory again but had to punt it back to the Rams at the end of the quarter.

- At the end of three, San Francisco leads 7-3.

2nd Quarter

- The Rams got another three and out as Long batted down a third down try from Alex Smith.

- The offense had its best field position of the day as Danny Amendola fair caught a 38-yard punt at the San Francisco 49.

- The Rams were again unable to get anything going as Null faced another crush of pressure and Jones had to punt again.

- San Francisco took over at its 20.

- After the 49ers got a quick first down, Craig Dahl came up with a sack, Long stopped Gore for no gain and the 49ers had to punt again.

- The Rams started at their 18.

- Again, the offense couldn’t generate anything and went three and out.

- Jones boomed another long punt, but a series of penalties made him do it three times and the third was the shortest. San Francisco got great field position at the Rams’ 43.

- The defense again held on the first three plays but San Francisco went for it on fourth-and-2 at the Rams’ 35.

- The defense got the stop as Smith’s fourth down pass fell incomplete.

- The Rams got a 20-yard completion from Null to Donnie Avery to get into San Francisco and pick up their second first down of the first half.

- That’s where the drive ended by Josh Brown booted a 54-yard field goal to give the Rams a 3-0 lead with four minutes to go in the half.

- The Rams got another three and out from the defense as Victor Adeyanju got a nice push on a third down pass rush to force an incompletion.

- The offense again got something cooking for the Rams as Null hit completions for gains of 6, 8 and 9 yards to get to San Francisco territory.

- That set up a 45-yard attempt for Brown, who was unable to convert.

- The Rams have a 3-0 lead at the half.

1st Quarter

- The Rams won the toss and elected to receive.

- The offense got a first down on a fourth-down conversion run by Jackson but went three and out after, leaving punting duties to Donnie Jones.

- San Francisco started at its 21 and moved as far as the Rams’ 41 before it was forced to punt.

- 49ers punter Andy Lee pinned the Rams at their 1 to start their second possession.

- The Rams went three and out, as Jones blasted a 62-yard punt to push San Francisco back.

- The defense got the job done, getting a three and out as James Laurinaitis came up with a sack and Leger Douzable added a tackle for loss.

- The Rams again went three and out.

- San Francisco started its ensuing drive from the 10. The Niners netted 0 yards on the first two plays of the drive and the score is knotted at 0 at the end of the first quarter.

Pregame Notes

- Greetings from the Edward Jones Dome, where the Rams and 49ers are preparing for the season finale.

- The Rams are searching for their second win and anticipate a lively crowd buoyed by the first-ever Fan Appreciation Day and the return of Isaac Bruce for what is likely his final game as a professional.

- Inactives for the Rams today include Mark Setterstrom, Quincy Butler, Leonard Little, Samkon Gado, Ryan McKee, James Wyche and Jason Smith.

- Mike Reilly is the third quarterback.

- As expected, Roger Allen III will make his first NFL start, replacing Setterstrom at left guard.

- No change at quarterback as Keith Null is expected to start again.

- Steven Jackson is back in action to close out the season and will start at running back.

- San Francisco inactives include Joe Nedney, Nate Davis, Nate Clements, Diyral Briggs, Cody Wallace, Joe Staley, Derek Walker and Brandon Jones.

- Unfortunate that Little was unable to play in what could be his final NFL game.

- Isaac Bruce is active and playing in what is probably his finale.

2nd Quarter

KTVI, FOX 2 is once again “The Home of the Rams” in 2007.  On Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., check out Rams Weekly where Fox 2 Sports Director Martin Kilcoyne goes one on one with head coach Scott Linehan and a Rams’ player.

Prior to each game, Kilcoyne will be joined by the St. Louis Post Dispatch’s Bryan Burwell, FOX 2’s Rob Desir and FOX 2’s Maurice Drummond for Rams Gameday pregame show, bringing viewers in-depth analysis, player profiles and the latest inside scoop on every Rams game.

The 2009-2010 broadcast team for Rams Radio is as follows:

Rams Radio Pre-Game Show:
Host: Randy Karraker
Analyst: Coach Jim Hanifan
Reporter: Brian Stull
Gameday Insider: Jim Thomas
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Segment Contributors: Bernie Miklasz, Bryan Burwell, Pat Parris,
D’Marco Farr and Steve Savard
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio In-Game Coverage:
Play by Play: Steve Savard
Color Analyst: D’Marco Farr
In-Game Reporter: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

Rams Radio Post-Game Show:
Hosts: Steve Savard and Brent Stover
Analysts: D’Marco Farr and Coach Jim Hanifan
Locker Room Interviews: Brian Stull
Studio Host: Tom Casey
Executive Producer: Chris “Hoss” Neupert

All of the Rams game day shows and coverage, along with the weekly Rams programs will be executed under the watchful eye of Executive Producer Chris Neupert. Studio Producer duties will vary by program and schedule, rotating between 101 ESPN Producers Ben Boyd, Todd Wise and Chris Gardner. Steve Bear will be the In-Game Spotter, and engineering responsibilities will be handled by Dodie Rahlman, Craig Rutledge, Marshall Rice, Bob Hoffman and Ken Cunetto.

Along with the Rams game day coverage and pre-and post-game shows, 101 ESPN will broadcast “Rams Rush Hour Shows” weeknights from 7:00 until 8:00 pm. As part of “Rams Rush Hour Shows,” Coach Steve Spagnuolo and General Manager Billy Devaney are expected to do weekly shows.

Have you ever wanted to play for your favorite NFL team? Now you can! The Home Team Challenge is an exciting Fantasy game that lets you play for your favorite team and compete for prizes at the same time! Prove that the Rams' fans are the best Fantasy players! Win great prizes too! Pick an eight-player Fantasy team during any week of the regular season. The more points your Fantasy team scores, the more you help your team in the NFL standings.

Weekly Prize

Seventeen (17) Weekly Team Prizes (1 weekly prize each week for 17 weeks)

• Week 1: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 2: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 3: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 4: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 5: Steven Jackson Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 6: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 7: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 8: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 9: Jason Smith Autographed Photo (ARV: $25.00 USD)
• Week 10: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 11: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 12: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 13: Chris Long Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)
• Week 14: Rams Fan Pack: includes Rams hat and Rams t-shirt (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 15: Rams Player Autographed Football. (Choice of autograph is at the sole discretion of St. Louis Rams) (ARV: $59.99 USD)
• Week 16: NFL Wilson Portfolio (ARV: $30.00 USD)
• Week 17: Donnie Avery Autographed Photo (ARV: $20.00 USD)

One (1) Overall Grand Team Prize
Rams 2010 Home Opener Dream Package: Package for two (2) for the Rams 2010 regular season home opener, includes (2) club seat tickets***, two (2) pre-game sidelines passes, one (1) complimentary parking pass, and one (1) Rams gift bag which includes autographed memorabilia (such memorabilia determined by Rams in their sole discretion). (ARV: $1,500.00 USD).