Ugly Win over Rams is Beautiful

 For the first time this season, the 49ers played ugly and won. Sure, the 49ers have played ugly before, many time actually, but always in defeat. The cynics will call the outcome—a 17-16 win—a loss, because no team worth anything should have to steal a victory from the Rams in the game’s last moments. But, it counts—on the season record and moves interim head coach Mike Singletary to 4-4.

Down 14-3 in the fourth quarter, San Francisco (6-9) produced two scores as quarterback Shaun Hill atoned for his three interceptions with two touchdown passes. Dominated through the first three-quarters, the 49ers erupted for 142 total yards in the fourth quarter.

Many might shake their head and align themselves with the doubters who see no merit in the come-from-behind win, while others will understand every win in the NFL is tough to come by and remember how slim the difference really is between the 49ers and Rams. In past years, even earlier in this year, the 49ers wouldn’t have won a game like this or in such a fashion. After looking so feeble through three-quarters, the 49ers got off the mat and threw a knockout punch.

A lot of the credit must go to Hill. He’ll never impress anyone with his arm strength, ability to make players or his aura as a quarterback. But, he’s a winner and does just enough right to put his team over the top. Against the Rams, he led the 49ers in rushing with 45 yards and completed 10 passes on the team’s two fourth quarter touchdown drives.

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Hill might not guide a team to great heights, but for this 49er team, he gives them a chance to win, usually doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and is capable of the heroics he exhibited against the Rams. No one necessarily sees Hill at San Francisco’s long-term starter or quarterback of the future, but he’s a steady hand at a critical position on the field, which hasn’t always been so for the 49ers.

With a victory over Washington on Sunday, the 49ers can finish the year at 7-9, which would be an achievement to be proud of. The 49ers haven’t had a successful season, but have seemingly steered themselves away from the edge and in the right direction again. Though the 49ers have been in this position before—winning games at the end of a season against uninterested teams. And each time they do so, the belief is next season will be different and that the 49ers reside on the cusp of taking steps towards greatness again. So, a win against the Rams—or even over Washington won’t mean much, but the reclaiming of a spot San Francisco has occupied many times before. Not until next year will anyone know if these late season wins meant anything and foreshadowed better days on the horizon.

By Jim Bucci
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent