Hayne happy as 49ers end season with win

Some of the same problems that plagued the 49ers all season showed up in the finale: penalties, mistakes and ineffective play on both sides of the ball, but St. Louis struggled, too – with Zuerlein also missing an earlier field goal.

The Rams’ defense played well enough to keep St. Louis in the game, but the offense disappeared for long periods and the Rams eventually fell to the 49ers 19-16 in overtime. Tomsula spent eight years as a member of the 49ers coaching staff before his promotion to head coach this season.

Anquan Boldin s fourth touchdown this season and 74 of his career put the 49ers ahead 7-3 to open the second quarter.

“I’m not going to make this about Jim and Jim’s job status here today”, he said.

When Tomsula was hired last January 14, the move was looked upon with skeptical eyes around the league since he had never been more than a position coach in the NFL, having coached the Niners’ defensive line since 2007. He quickly tried to change the subject to his players and the game.

Phil Dawson s third field goal of the game pulled the 49ers into a 16-16 tie with 4:28 remaining.

If the 49ers lose to the Rams, they would finish with their worst record since 2005.

The day after the 27-6 loss to the Rams in what was Game 8 for the 49ers, the team traded veteran tight end Vernon Davis to Denver. That set up Mason’s 4-yard touchdown run on a run-pass option, putting the Rams ahead 13-10 with 1:31 left in the opening half.

Case Keenum went 22 of 37 for 231 yards as St. Louis had its three-game winning streak snapped as the Rams tried for four consecutive victories for the first time since seven straight in 2003.

Man, do the 49ers miss departed running back Frank Gore. Tony Jerod-Eddie or Arik Armstead might start in place of Dial. Gerald Hodges has replaced Wilhoite the past three starts. “The 49ers”™ only other safeties, Antoine Bethea and L.J. McCray, are on injured reserve. Going into the last game, starting QB Colin Kaepernick is on IR, and he wasn’t even playing well before that.