By Morris Phillips

In 2012, the Rams interrupted what has been a pretty, lopsided rivalry with the 49ers by forcing overtime twice, and almost beating a team that was on its way to winning the NFC title and appearing in the Super Bowl.

In the 700th edition of Monday Football, the Rams came out blazing, leading 14-0 before the first quarter was done.  Despite the presence of a rookie quarterback in Austin Davis, and 1-3 record, St. Louis was moving the ball on the 49ers’ defense and looking to add on to a 14-3 lead when a curious call seemed to short circuit the Rams and jump start the 49ers.

After moving past midfield, and looking for a first down, Davis threw to tight end Jared Cook who ran for a first down.  But the play was negated when Cook was whistled for offensive interference when none seemed apparent from the video replay.  The Rams were forced to punt, and the 49ers fortunes change immediately.

Eight plays later, and with less than 30 seconds remaining before halftime, Brandon Lloyd slipped behind cornerback Janoris Jenkins for an 80-yard catch and run that prevented the 49ers from being down double-digits at halftime.  The pass was beautifully thrown by Colin Kaepernick and led to a big second half for the quarterback that carried the 49ers to the win.

Kaepernick would go on to throw for 343 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 31-17 win that become the team’s NFL-best 46th win on Monday night.  The 49ers’ quarterback has won all four of the Monday night ballgames he’s started and this time he was all over the highlight reel with his running and passing that ultimately was too much for the Rams.

Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin also caught touchdown passes for the 49ers, and with the team needing to stop a last ditch drive from the Rams, trailing 24-17, rookie Dontae Johnson stepped in front of a Davis pass and returned it 20 yards for the clincher.

Johnson’s return capped the 49ers’ uneven, but unquestionably effective defensive performance against the rookie Davis.  The Rams were held to 309 total yards, but a major chunk of that came in the first quarter when the Rams jumped out in front.

So what hampered the 49ers’ defense early and was quickly eliminated once the 49ers made their move before halftime?

“They hadn’t done some of the things they did early,” linebacker Dan Skuta said.  “We adjusted and we kept playing; that’s something we do really well.”

Offensively, the 49ers figured to take advantage of a Rams’ defense that ranks 26th against the run with Frank Gore around  But Gore’s role was minimal, despite 13 carries, as Kaepernick took advantage of the Rams with his arm and deep, receiving corps.

The win improves the 49ers’ record to 4-2 which leaves them tied with the Seahawks and one game behind the division-leading Cardinals.  The 49ers get the AFC West-leading Broncos in Denver on Sunday night in what could be termed a Super Bowl preview.

The injury report was the only true negative in the victory with Patrick Willis leaving the game early with an injured toe.  The 49ers commited just five penalties for 23 yards and lost one fumble in a nearly-mistake free contest.