THE PARTICULARS

• Time: 10 a.m.

• The line: 49ers by 5.

• Records: 49ers 5-9; Rams 2-12.

• TV: Ch. 40; Sam Rosen (play-by-play), Tim Ryan (color), Chris Myers (sideline).

• Radio: KFBK (1530 AM), KNBR (680 AM). Joe Starkey (play-by-play), Gary Plummer (color).

• Why watch: Mike Singletary's most decisive win came against the Rams on Nov. 16 in San Francisco. If he can duplicate that victory on the road, he'll take another big step toward getting the head-coaching job in 2009.

• Rewind: Shaun Hill and the 49ers had a second quarter to remember, scoring 28 points in the period and cruising to a 35-16 win. Hill threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the second quarter, and he entered halftime with a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

49ERS THREE KEYS

• Frank Gore's left ankle is much better than it was a week ago, but he's still iffy to play today. This time he'll actually test it during pregame warmups.

• With Arnaz Battle (foot) out for the rest of the season, Jason Hill has two more opportunities to gain confidence and enter 2009 with momentum. There's already a good position fight shaping up at slot receiver between him and Battle.

• Cornerback Walt Harris had a good game the last time the teams met, but he'll be tested on the Rams' artificial surface.

RAMS THREE KEYS

• Running back Steven Jackson, out with an injury in the previous meeting between the teams, is back for this one. He has had more than 90 rushing yards in two of his past three games.

• Rookie wide receiver Donnie Avery had one of his best games of the season in San Francisco, catching a season-high nine passes for 93 yards.

• Today's game is blacked out in the St. Louis area. For the second consecutive home game, the two-win Rams have not sold enough tickets to avoid the blackout.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

49ers left tackle Joe Staley vs. Rams defensive end Chris Long

Staley faces an adversary he figures to see twice a year for the next decade. The Rams drafted Long second overall this year, and Staley said his first encounter with Howie's son left him impressed with the rookie's combination of strength and quickness. Round 1 of their matchup, however, was decidedly in Staley's favor. Staley has been very solid over the last half of the season, and last week he shut down the Dolphins' Joey Porter. Staley seems to do a particularly good job against linebackers and speed rushers. He should again handle Long, who is just beginning to learn his craft.

WHO'S THE MAN?

Isaac Bruce

49ERS WIDE RECEIVER

Prepare yourself for a chorus of "BRUUUUUUUUCE!" today. Or are those boos? The longtime Rams wide receiver makes his first return to St. Louis since joining the enemy 49ers. He also has a chance to grab second place on the career receiving yardage list against his former mates.

INJURY REPORT

49ers

Questionable: RB Frank Gore (ankle), T Adam Snyder (ankle), LB Ahmad Brooks (back). Probable: DE Ron Fields (foot), S Michael Lewis (abdomen), WR Josh Morgan (head), S Mark Roman (head), PR Allen Rossum (ankle), T Joe Staley (ankle).

Rams

Probable: CB Ron Bartell (back), G Jacob Bell (hamstring), K Josh Brown (groin), CB Jason Craft (back), DT La'Roi Glover (knee).

49ERS STATISTICS

PASSING

Player Att. Comp. Yards TDs Int

Shaun Hill 224 142 1,585 10 4

RUSHING

Player Att. Yards TDs Avg.

Frank Gore 229 978 6 4.3

DeShaun Foster 55 154 0 2.8

RECEIVING

Player Rec. Yards TDs Avg.

Isaac Bruce 52 766 6 14.7

Frank Gore 42 367 2 8.7

Bryant Johnson 39 443 3 11.4

RAMS STATISTICS

PASSING

Player Att. Comp. Yards TDs Int

Marc Bulger 372 213 2,263 9 12

RUSHING

Player Att. Yards TDs Avg.

Steven Jackson 191 773 5 4.0

RECEIVING

Player Rec. Yards TDs Avg.

Torry Holt 54 651 3 12.1

Donnie Avery 43 578 2 13.4

Steven Jackson 34 314 1 9.2

49ERS SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 Arizona L, 23-13

Sept. 14 at Seattle W, 33-30 (OT)

Sept. 21 Detroit W, 31-13

Sept. 28 at New Orleans L, 31-17

Oct. 5 New England L, 30-21

Oct. 12 Philadelphia L, 40-26

Oct. 19 at N.Y. Giants L, 29-17

Oct. 26 Seattle L, 34-13

Nov. 2 BYE

Nov. 10 at Arizona L, 29-24

Nov. 16 St. Louis W, 35-16

Nov. 23 at Dallas L, 35-22

Nov. 30 at Buffalo W, 10-3

Dec. 7 N.Y. Jets W, 24-14

Dec. 14 at Miami L, 14-9

Today at St. Louis 10 a.m.

Dec. 28 Washington 1:15 p.m.